Thread: pinion angle

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I am new to this group and have a question about pinion angle and how to set it up right.

I measured the rear axle and I got 5 degrees down on the yoke . This is the vertical measurement.
I measured the driveshaft and I got 0 degrees.
I measured the at the harmonic balancer and I got 5 degrees. This is the vertical measurement and this makes the transmission tall shaft point down.

DO I have the right pinion angle on this car???????

If not what do I have to do to fix it right.

This is a 1940 Ford coupe ,ZZ4 350 Motor,Th350 Trans w/leaf spring rear end.
Thanks for the help

And to add to Richards correct comments, I'm assuming you have two leaf springs in the rear rather than the original style single transverse spring. If you don't want to relocate the pads on the axle housing there are tapered shims available in a variety of angles, the only problem is you need 7-8 degrees which is a bit much to do with shims as a permanent fix.

Here's a couple of links with diagrams and good descriptions:

http://www.iedls.com/ptsetup.html

http://www.streetrodderweb.com/tech/0203sr_driving/

hey Sinister, if carbs belong in museams than why do 85.5555% of today's rodders still use them? I know cause you don't need 2 wire them, Predator carbs ajust themselves and wow If somtin aint broke, dont fix it, this is why the 350 Chevy has been around for 35+ years. I'm assuming ur turbo buick is the 231 or 235 that was used in the 1985 - 1987 Buick Regal Grand Nationals? Sorry but I have no knowladge of pinion angles.

These are just my oppinions and, no offense should be taken.

Originally posted by Matt167
hey Sinister, if carbs belong in museams than why do 85.5555% of today's rodders still use them? I know cause you don't need 2 wire them, Predator carbs ajust themselves and wow If somtin aint broke, dont fix it, this is why the 350 Chevy has been around for 35+ years. I'm assuming ur turbo buick is the 231 or 235 that was used in the 1985 - 1987 Buick Regal Grand Nationals? Sorry but I have no knowladge of pinion angles.

Those are some of the reasons. Mostly though because people are creatures of habit. No matter how much better, easier, more reliable and economical EFI is over carburation, the fear of the unknown is enough to keep the carburetor companies in business for the foreseeable future. Myself, unless I'm building a period piece or resto-rod that needs a carb to stay with the "theme" of the car, EFI will be on everything that I drive.

And I bet you thought I was gonna say something smart-alecky like "Because most rodder's belong in museums, too!" Nah... too easy!

231 c.i. SFI Turbo from '87 GN (all GN's and T-Types had this motor, only '86-87's are intercooled).

I apologize for hijacking this post, Curnut54.

There is also the expense involved in converting to fuel injection.

It sounds as if Keith has taken his angles on the verticle plane rather than horizontal. Bob, Richard , isn't horizontal the correct one?Joe

Joe, below is a picture of the tool I use, and probably most people I know who do this sort of thing, which is just fine for measuring the pinion angle from the yoke face (this would be what I interpret as what vertical meant). The way it works is that there is the zero degrees at the bottom when the bottom surface is level. The upright surface is exactly 90 degrees to that. So in placing the upright against the yoke the swinging pointer will settle on the number of degrees off of 0, or otherwise stated, the amount of inclination. The only other thing to be mindful of is which side of 0 degrees to determine whether it is up or down angle. Needle toward the pumpkin is up angle, needle away is down.

Bob What you said was interesting. I raised both the rear and front of my truck 2", but I also raised my engine 1/2 inch and since doing that I've had a vibration at all speeds, not bad, but annoying. I never thought that small adjustment would throw the driveshaft out of balance. THANKS FOR THE TIP.

Thanks Bob, that is the same angle finder I have. Had I been looking at it I would have realized the falicy of my question. Joe.

Thanks guys I think I have it now. With my measurement I took it looks like I have to rotate the rear end up 6 degree then I would end up with 4 degrees of pinion angle.
Thanks again