axle pinion pitch/angle? And leaf spring choice

[freddy686868]

Basically i read a few months ago in classic ford about getting an axle shortened and welding new spring saddles to the axle. I mentioned something called pinion pitch and said it should be anywhere from 90 degrees to 7 degrees based on what angle you engine and gearbox sit at. So what i wanted to know is what would be the best angle for me to set my pinion pitch at as my engine and gearbox are at an anle of around 4.5 degrees. The car/van in question is a mk1 escort van and i would like to use it as a fast road van some track days and aboit of drifting. The axle has got all the brackets for coilovers and a four link kit whivh i might make use of as my skill sets advance but for now due to lack of skills and time i would like to use the original leaf springs. One last question for the forum gurus what leaf springs are best to use as i have the original mk1 escort van multileaf springs and some mk2 escort saloon 1.3 60mm wide single leaf springs. Any help and advice would be great. Thanks, John

[freddy686868]

anyone?

[exboyracer]

I think this should help

http://www.turbosport.co.uk/showthre...iff+nose+angle

[freddy686868]

Wow! Thats a very involved thread i think i'll just set mine to around 4 degrees as my engine and box are about 4.5 degrees if i remember correctly.

[exboyracer]

From what I remember the trick is to have the UJs running at a slight angle, but the same both ends.

So the prop should be like this /---------/ not like this /----------\
If that makes sense!

[daniele]

some lecture
http://www.iedls.com/asp/admin/getFi...&TID=28&FN=PDF

[exboyracer]

Nice link there daniele

[daniele]

thank u!

[freddy686868]

From what I remember the trick is to have the UJs running at a slight angle, but the same both ends.

So the prop should be like this /---------/ not like this /----------\
If that makes sense!

So basically have the both flanges running as close to parrallel as possible.

[exboyracer]

Have a read of that link Daniele posted - but basically, yes.

[freddy686868]

Have a read of that link Daniele posted - but basically, yes.

Yeah i had a read and it is an intresting artical that was very intresting.

Just out of intrest does anyone know the angle that the standard mk1 mk2 escort spring pans are set at as i might jig up a standard axle and put my new axle on that jig.