The Ford Barn

fordor41 · 04-26-2022, 12:15 PM

Our '60 was lowered by p.o. about 4". Today I checked the U-joint angles with a laser and found that a straight line from the trans was about 2" lower than the pinion by 2 deg. The pinion angle was dead on the trans output shaft. So I figured if I put 2 deg. shim in the rear to aim the pinion up 2 deg the angles would be equal. But now the angles would be reversed from usual, instead of trans to drive shaft down and drive shaft to pinion up it would be trans to D.S. up and D.S. to pinion down. the angles would be equal but reversed. anyone see a problem?

ford38v8 · 04-26-2022, 11:49 PM

Sounds like a plan.

Zeke3 · 04-27-2022, 09:29 AM

I would use a driveline calculator tool such as this one on spicerparts.com to calculate the operating angles of the joints. There are also many articles online on the topic.

https://spicerparts.com/calculators/...gle-calculator

Don T · 04-27-2022, 04:09 PM

I am trying to not get confused as to what we are discussing here, either u-joint angles OR trying to make the trans output shaft parallel with the pinion shaft. So when your trans shaft and pinion shaft are parallel your u joint angles will match automatically. This does not say that your u joint angles are within a reasonable operating angle but only that both joints are at the same angle. So are your trans shaft and pinion shaft parallel?

ford38v8 · 04-27-2022, 05:07 PM

I believe that’s what he wants to accomplish with the shims, and confused the question with all those extra words! 😏

fordor41 · 04-27-2022, 09:24 PM

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yes, I'm trying to get the trans center line parallel to pinion center line but the drive shaft will actually go upwards from the trans as opposed to usual downward angle from trans. I "assume" both set-ups will operate the same

Zeke3 · 04-28-2022, 09:03 AM

Check out the link I posted earlier and watch the video on that location. Changing directions between the trans and driveshaft increases the operating angle of the joint. Calculate the operating angles for both joints to verify they are not excessive.

alchemy · 04-28-2022, 11:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by fordor41

yes, I'm trying to get the trans center line parallel to pinion center line but the drive shaft will actually go upwards from the trans as opposed to usual downward angle from trans. I "assume" both set-ups will operate the same

Yes, they will. Your driveshaft will not care if it goes uphill or downhill. As long as the trans is parallel to he pinion.

04-26-2022, 12:15 PM	#1
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	drive line gurus Our '60 was lowered by p.o. about 4". Today I checked the U-joint angles with a laser and found that a straight line from the trans was about 2" lower than the pinion by 2 deg. The pinion angle was dead on the trans output shaft. So I figured if I put 2 deg. shim in the rear to aim the pinion up 2 deg the angles would be equal. But now the angles would be reversed from usual, instead of trans to drive shaft down and drive shaft to pinion up it would be trans to D.S. up and D.S. to pinion down. the angles would be equal but reversed. anyone see a problem?

04-26-2022, 11:49 PM	#2
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,646	Re: drive line gurus Sounds like a plan. __________________ Alan

04-27-2022, 09:29 AM	#3
Zeke3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 1,407	Re: drive line gurus I would use a driveline calculator tool such as this one on spicerparts.com to calculate the operating angles of the joints. There are also many articles online on the topic. https://spicerparts.com/calculators/...gle-calculator

04-27-2022, 04:09 PM	#4
Don T Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Alberta Canada Posts: 93	Re: drive line gurus I am trying to not get confused as to what we are discussing here, either u-joint angles OR trying to make the trans output shaft parallel with the pinion shaft. So when your trans shaft and pinion shaft are parallel your u joint angles will match automatically. This does not say that your u joint angles are within a reasonable operating angle but only that both joints are at the same angle. So are your trans shaft and pinion shaft parallel?

04-27-2022, 05:07 PM	#5
ford38v8 Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: SF Bay Area Posts: 6,646	Re: drive line gurus I believe that’s what he wants to accomplish with the shims, and confused the question with all those extra words! 😏 __________________ Alan

04-27-2022, 09:24 PM	#6
fordor41 Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: elmira,ny Posts: 1,518	Re: drive line gurus Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) yes, I'm trying to get the trans center line parallel to pinion center line but the drive shaft will actually go upwards from the trans as opposed to usual downward angle from trans. I "assume" both set-ups will operate the same

04-28-2022, 09:03 AM	#7
Zeke3 Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Columbus, IN Posts: 1,407	Re: drive line gurus Check out the link I posted earlier and watch the video on that location. Changing directions between the trans and driveshaft increases the operating angle of the joint. Calculate the operating angles for both joints to verify they are not excessive.