pinion angle

[mustangchris]

I have a 66 mustang and plan on installing a T56 to my 289. From everything i have read you can fit the tranny into the tunnel but the best angle you can get is around 7-8 degrees. The tranny calls for 3 max. I also have the heidts front end and havn't made my motor mounts yet. The logic I came up with is this: if I lower the engine a little in the front I could change the pinion angle without modifying the tunnel. This would also lower the center of gravity slightly as well. I would just like to know if my logic is correct or if i am better off just cutting the tunnel up a bit. Thanx for any help

 

[Shakin66]

Coming from experience I can tell you that cutting the tunnel is your only option. I ordered a crossmember and new tunnel from Darkhourse and it went in great. If you have A/C you'll almost certainly lose it...I am going to do something about that this summer by switching to one of the newer kits. You'll also want to consider the Restomod shifter from Mustangs plus so you can sit back and shift.

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/scatpro/Cams toys/?action=view&current=CIMG2330.jpg

Pics of my install (someone stole my old laptop with most of the t56 pics but there are a few in there)

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/scatpro/Cams toys/?start=all

Either way good luck and you'll love that slick shifting T 56!
And if you have more ?s I'll try to answer them if I can.

http://s32.photobucket.com/albums/d6/scatpro/Cams toys/?action=view&current=CIMG2169.jpg

 

[brianj5600]

There is not too much room to lower the engine before it gets close to the steering with my 351. Have you looked at that yet?

 

[mustangmike6996]

correct me if i am wrong but if you lower the engine wont it increase the pinion andge to a higher numeric value? if you lower the trans or crossmember it will bring the angle closer to 3 degrees. or you may also be able to adjust the pinion angle or the rearend to match your 7-8 degrees in the front and eliminate any vibration issues from pinion angle differences

just a few ideas to throw out there

 

[Glen's 1965 5.0]

T56

Coming from experience I can tell you that cutting the tunnel is your only option. I ordered a crossmember and new tunnel from Darkhourse and it went in great. If you have A/C you'll almost certainly lose it...I am going to do something about that this summer by switching to one of the newer kits. You'll also want to consider the Restomod shifter from Mustangs plus so you can sit back and shift.]


Shakin66, coould you give the the info on your bellhousing, pilot bearing and cluth info. Nice setup.

Thanks,

 

[68RCodeConv]

If you have a tranny angle of 7 degrees down then you will need a pinion angle of 7 degrees up to get back to parallel. Might take a lot of pinion shims under the spring perches to get that.

Also, it is recommended that you have a MAX of 3 degrees difference between the tranny and driveshaft. With a 7 degree tranny angle it is unlikely that you can keep the tranny/driveshaft difference under 3 degrees. I currently have 4.5 degrees down at the tranny (T5 in a 67) with 2 degrees down at the driveshaft. When I raised my pinion angle up (to match the tranny) it REDUCED the angle of the driveshaft thus increasing the difference between the driveshaft and tranny.

If you draw a picture you can see why this is so. Most likely a 7 degree down tranny angle is going to have too much difference from the tranny which will put a lot of strain on the U-joints.

 

[fasttback]

Just some more info - If you end up adjusting the rearend angle they make angled "lowering" blocks (nothing big all less than an inch). Don't know the manufacture because I bought them at a swap meet.

 

[BornInAFord]

Just some more info - If you end up adjusting the rearend angle they make angled "lowering" blocks (nothing big all less than an inch). Don't know the manufacture because I bought them at a swap meet.

Summit, Jegs and Speedway have them in both 2° and 4° wedges. Also invest in an angle finder (also carried by Summit and others). Your car may be slightly different from others, and the only way to know for sure is to verify the angles.
Daniel