Need a few dimensions off of a leaf spring car

MAStuart · #1 (**permalink**) 06-02-2011, 10:37 PM

HI! I have been scratch building a leaf spring car (Daytona Coupe). I finally acquired the differential mounts. I tried mounting the differential. For the side mounts, the bolt slid in perfectly. I am having problems with the front mount. The front mount is interferring with the cross tube that is supposed to have the tabs for the front mount to mount to. I can't even bolt the front mount to the differential. There is not enough room. I have a problem, either the cross tube is in the wrong position or possibly the pinion angle is wrong. My question is to anyone who would know or has access to an original small block car, what would the measurement be between the front of the rear spring tower and the cross tube that the front differential mount tabs weld to? Another question, what diameter is the tube of the front differential mount? Does anyone know what the pinion angle would be on a leaf spring car? What I have built so far is exactly to the prints I have. I know this should have been checked before everything was welded together, but I did not have a differential or mounting brackets at the time. Now I am loosing sleep on where I went wrong. I will try to post a couple of pictures of the measurement I need. Thanks Mark

MAStuart · #2 (**permalink**) 06-03-2011, 10:04 AM

Tony Ripepi · #3 (**permalink**) 06-03-2011, 10:20 AM

Take a look into the Daytona coupe build here:

New Page 1

Tony R.

MAStuart · #4 (**permalink**) 06-03-2011, 10:57 AM

Hi Tony I have Chucks plans . Just trying to get measurement from a different source to isolate where the problem is . Thanks Mark

mickmate · #5 (**permalink**) 06-03-2011, 12:02 PM

Hey Mark, I have a lot of dimensions on a couple of sources other than yours. I'll look into it when I get a few minutes and get back to you. PM me if I forget, forget what? See what I mean.........

MAStuart · #6 (**permalink**) 06-06-2011, 02:47 PM

Thanks Nick! Anyone else I need to find where the problem is . Thanks Mark

Jac Mac · #7 (**permalink**) 06-06-2011, 03:21 PM

Mark, any chance you might have fitted that chassis cross tube with the front face on what should be the centerline? Probably not the case, but could it be that simple, also might be an optical illusion, but the machined face on the diff pinion housing that the mount bolts on to, is it further back in the photos of chucks build? I would be tempted to simply turn that one 180° so that the tube part clears the x-member...as long as it has no snowball effects..

mickmate · #8 (**permalink**) 06-06-2011, 08:17 PM

Mark, I have two sets of dimensions and verified them off an original. They all show the axle centreline to crossmember centreline as 13 1/2". Pinion angle should be same as drivetrain, 3 deg I think. Front mount tube is 2 1/4" dia. Figure it out and get on with it! I'm taking the tough love approach on this one ;-)