Posted By: Mopar_Mike
Help with Pinion angle - 07/01/09 03:33 PM
After breaking my tailshaft (different post) I went to check my pinion angle. The car (67 Coronet RT) had superstock springs in it with an 8 3/4. I switched to caltracs with the monoleaf and +1" ride height.
I put the magnetic angle finder on the 8 3/4 where the snuber would be. It was +3 degrees
I put the finder on the tailshaft, upside down, because the trans is still in the car. It read +1 degree.
So, if I am reading this right, +1 at the trans and +1 at the pinion gives me 0 straight line. So, since the pinion is still +2, I need to get it to -3 (optimal according to caltracs). So I need to reduce the angle negatively by 5 degrees?
Thanks for your help.
Posted By: CrAzYMoPaRGuY
Re: Help with Pinion angle - 07/01/09 03:51 PM
Set up your operating angle and THEN set your pinion angle.
If your trans drops 1 degree at the tail and your pinion is nose up 1 degree then roll your pinion down as many degrees of pinion angle as you want.
Maybe a few experienced Caltrac users here have a strong opinion on what the actual pinion angle should be.... PIPE UP if you do!
Posted By: cudarex
Re: Help with Pinion angle - 07/01/09 04:21 PM
When you say tailshaft is +1 I assume you mean it is pointing up 1 degree from horizontal plane. If so then you want the pinion -1 degree down from horizontal to get operational setting.They both would be like this \\ in relation to each other. Then you would rotate the pinion down another 3-4 degrees to give you a total of 4-5 degrees down from horizontal plane. Is that clear as mud?
Posted By: patrick
Re: Help with Pinion angle - 07/01/09 04:43 PM
if the tailshaft is pointing up 1 degree (nose up) and the pinion is 3 degrees nose up then your pinion angle is 4 degrees nose up.
Dr Diff's advice: make them parallel (i.e. tailshaft nose down, pinion nose up) then roll the pinion down X degrees to get X degrees of pinion angle.
Posted By: Adobedude
Re: Help with Pinion angle - 07/01/09 05:14 PM
Dr Diff's advice: make them parallel (i.e. tailshaft nose down, pinion nose up) then roll the pinion down X degrees to get X degrees of pinion angle.
That's too easy...
*Running off to the garage *
Posted By: Mopar_Mike
Re: Help with Pinion angle - 07/01/09 05:30 PM
Sorry.. I remeasured and have different numbers..
The 8 3/4 housing is facing down (-3 degrees)
The transmission tail shaft is facing up (+2 degrees)
Posted By: Sport440
Re: Help with Pinion angle - 07/01/09 05:38 PM
If your trans is pointing up 2* your pinion would need to be Down 2* to be parrelel.
Since pinion is Down 3* Your pinion angle is sitting at 1* down. mike
Posted By: 8secDart
Re: Help with Pinion angle - 07/02/09 01:54 AM
Guy's you are making way to much of this!
1.Most people cannot do anything for the trans angle.Making a new mount to raise or lower the trans is just stuiped.
2.All you are trying to do is keep the joints from running at the same angle and or the rear going over to a + angle.
3.On a Cal-Trac car the pinion will not move that much.Set the rearend 3 to 5 down and forget it.
Lenny
I believe Calvert wants 3-4 degrees
