RTM wrote:

moon4964 wrote:

Can someone tell me what to expect to pay a chassis shop to have the pinion angle set on my 1964 Falcon?

 
That's a tough question to answer. Are you running stock suspension, stock transmission? Why does the angle need to be set? Way too many variables to consider. It could take a shop an hour or many more.

I'd also include any other modifications have been made to the drivetrain that makes you question the pinion angel?
 

Quick performance 9" rear housing. Traction lock 3.0 gears. Stock leaf springs, rear sway bar.  Changed to 15-inch wheels from stock 14 inchers. Ford toploader, small flange. 
I checked the angle of the tranny and pinion. The pinion is~5 degrees down. The tranny is ~2 degrees up.
I will check those angles one more time before I consider the visit to the chassis shop

The pinion is pointing down, but I will recheck this week when the temps go back up to 25F. Single digtis for the next three days.

Did you install the spring perches or did they ship the new axle to you with the perches welded on?  Is the axle sitting properly on the springs?  Is the car on the ground at ride height or is the axle hanging down?

if the pinion flange is indeed 5 degrees down it is way off,  I'm not sure I trust your reading on the trans.  You might also confirm with a reading taken along a valve cover with the level held level side to side.  Or, you can also try to get a reading off of the crank pulley.  It looks like you may need a 4 degree angle/wedge shim to bring the pinion flange "up" but I'd try to figure out why it is sitting so low in the first place.  

Report back what you get on a valve cover or some other point on the engine.  Don't use the air cleaner or carb flange as they are usually angled at about 3 degrees so the carb will sit level when the engine angles down.  Are you running stock-style engine mounts?  Do you have an aftermarket trans mount?  Do you have big tires in back that is angling the car down in front?

You can't run it like that.  You may be able to find a driveline shop that does driveline setups rather than a generic chassis shop.  And, Is your driveshaft the correct length?  If it is too long it could be forcing the pinion down.

The angle finder shows one thing and my eyes seem to see the opposite.  It could be the angle of the picture/camera.  You may want to pull the driveshaft and measure off of the yoke to be sure.  And - try another angle finder or use your phone - as mentioned there are a lot of apps and you'll get pretty accurate digital values.

If it is up, a 3 degree wedge could bring it down to about 2 degrees  Why I am suspicious of your angle finder is that at RPM mentioned, your engine/driveline should be lower in back.  A common setup would be about 3 degrees down on the drivetrain and the pinion flange "up" about 2 degrees to account for the wrap of the leaf spring when under load.  Sorry for the confusion on my part with the numbers.  I'll blame it on the cataracts/

Leonie had her first eye done a week ago, she had mostly given up night driving.
She drove 140 km last night, loved it.

GPatrick wrote:

Right eye on March 18 left eye on the 25th.  Still won't correct looking at the arrow on an angle finder the wrong way.  

 
Brahahaha...

Thank you.
The perches are welded to the housing. The driveshaft is the correct length. The car is on the ground at the [proper ride height. I will take the driveshaft down to enable placing the angle finder on the yoke. I will also take the angle on the valve cover to get the better angle on the trans/engine.

Last edited by moon4964 (2/28/2025 9:43 AM)

You should be able to get an angle finder reading on the yoke without dropping the driveshaft. 
I suggest checking both sides of the yoke to verify the readings are the same.  There could be some machining differences between the two sides.
Also, check the angle reading on the floor surface where ever you're taking these redings. 

Last edited by BobE (3/02/2025 3:37 PM)

Attached are the engine and pinion angle readings taken today. As suggested by Senior 24-7, removal of the driveshaft was not necessary.
I am including two photos each taken at the engine and yoke. For the engine, I rested the angle finer on a horizontal fin of the valve cover. If this is not adequate, please advise with a better location for the engine angle.









book photo frame png
 

In addition to TKO’s suggestions, I’d check several places on the engine to verify consistency of the readings.  If you can also check the crankshaft pulley, and don’t forget to verify if the floor is level. 

Will do, gentlemen. I will report back later this week. I just want to have a safe ride.