The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Rearend AND engine swap - pinion angle

1953 3800 Flat Bed Dually

So, I'm doing a 14 bolt swap and I'm at the point where I would set the pinion angle and weld it up. But, I'm also going to be swapping in a 250 I-6 in place of the 216 and keeping the SM420 4 spd. When I do the engine swap, I'll be removing the '53 crossmember under the engine and swapping in a '54 crossmember and a 60's truck bellhousing so the rear engine mounts will be a bolt in. The front (side) engine mounts will will likely be the tubular crossmember mount offered in many places.

That being said, I was thinking it may be wise to just bolt the rearend up (not super tight) and leave the pinion angle setting and the welding until after the engine is in place and done.

Agree?
Disagree?

The 3800 has 2 drive shafts and a center bearing, so if the trans angle changes, I may have to adjust the center bearing "height", for lack of a better word, to get the drive angles correct. I would think welding in the rearend might not be wise just yet.

I am using this document for reference.

https://www.dropbox.com/s/btgxn9qt992vx3x/J3311-1-HVTSS.PDF?dl=0

Specifically, the section on "Multiple Shaft Installations".

Larry W.

Good idea, the pinion angle should be set with the truck in the loaded position. If going with 250, why not a 292?

Ed

Availablity, price, and the offset motor mounts would have prevented using the tubular crossmember style side mounts I planned on.

Basically, I came across a totally dressed, running 250 and it is double the horsepower of the 216. It came with carburetor, HEI, alternator, power steering bracket and pump, for $300.00.

Larry W.

I agree, the best practice is to wait and set the pinion angle when the truck is as complete as you can get it.
When you get to that point here is all the info you need on driveline setup and angles.
http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/driveline/setup/index.html

Hey Grigg,

Thanks buddy. I'll store a link to that for later.

Once I get the engine and trans back in place, I figured I would throw the spare 14 bolt on the back of the frame rails so I set it when mildly loaded.

Larry W.

Just going through a new steady bearing setup with a two piece shaft so your links have been helpful. I just had a new topic about a mystery steady bearing, so I've given up trying to find the same bracket replacement and using a newer style bearing but have to set up a new mounting bracket to achieve the best angle

Steady bearing...not familiar. Same as carrier bearing at midpoint of the shafts?

Larry W.

yes Carrier bearing would be considered the book term, but locally some people might say 'shaft steady bearing or shaft support bearing' depending on the application as you might have a bearing at each end of a shaft. I came from a marine environment which maybe how the term slipped

Gotcha.