The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1951 Rear Swap -- Wheel Well Centering?

So I found a rear end set up for a Nova, and I'm told that the leaf spring perches should fit my existing springs just fine. But I've seen a few trucks with modern rears, where the wheels weren't centered in the wheelwells.

What's the best way to move the rear relative to the springs, so that the wheels are centered?

Many thanks,
mark.
'51 3100

Mark, a couple things you might thimk about. Because you are putting in a Nova rear, I am not sure if you care about a stock look, but look at a stock truck and the rear wheels do sit a little forward in the wheel well. If you want it centered you will need to do one of couple fixes. Due to the torque tube rear end, the mounting pin on the springs are several inches forward from center. A lot of folks say you can flip the springs end to end and the pin will be centered. You will have to press out and switch the bushings. I have also seen where you just drill a new mounting hole on the spring perch a few inches forward of center line. I did this with my truck. But I have it sitting forward a little for a stock look. Good Luck,
Steve O

Thanks, Steve.
You're right that I'm going with an updated drivetrain, so it won't be 100% "correct". When I get the old rear out, I'll look for these pins, and do some measurements.

Now, as long as I can drill the perch without drilling into the rear end housing...

Cheers,
mark.
'51 3100

there are some installation kits available that have a perch with a hold drilled right where it should be which lines up everything very well- I just put one in- had to have them welded to donor axle but it wasnt too hard. the kits are around 140.00 - chevy duty sells them - they also come with shock mounts on the plates which converts the lever action to the better functioning piston type "modern" shock...
good luck!

I just redrilled the perch when I installed a diff out of a 76 olds 442.After I welded mounting saddles on ,that is :-). It was the perfect wheel base, backing plate - backing plate was within 1/4 inch ,and it centred perfectly.How lucky was that, just take your time to think it out.