So this is a first time swap on a 1952 chevy styleline using a 72' nova rear end. I know its elementary for those that have done these swaps before. I've only swap exact rear ends out on vehicles so I didn't have to worry about where to put my spring mount locations. Also with mounting did you have to place the weight down on the front spring location before finding the rear spring mount location? My question for those that have used the nova rear ends. Were you able to use the nova mounts by with some custom weld work or is there a better kit to use for the front of the spring? I've measured from frame rail to frame rail and its showing 47" so I'm requesting confirmation that the rear end/driveline center-line should be the 23.5". The centers of the rear end actual would be 14.875" in between both sides of the fender.
You should have been a little more prepared before taking on this swap. There are a couple of ways you could have gone with this. The original spring and shackle mounts could have stayed in place and you could have used a pair of Posies dropped springs to hang the rear on. They would have allowed you to use the stock shackles and mounts. It looks like you've pulled the stock mounts off the chassis? You need to have the correct dimensions for mounting the next pair so your axle will be where it belongs and the tires are centered in the opening. You also need to know where to drill and mount the new stuff. Hopefully you'll get more direction from here.
The easiest way to do it now would be to get a Chassis engineering spring kit for the rear. It bolts in using the original rivet holes for the spring hangers you have already removed. Depending on your springs, you may be able to get just the bracket kit for much less. If you had the brackets and springs, this is an afternoon project now that you have all the brackets off.
And I believe the chassis engineering kit states that the nova rear is one of the rears that will bolt directly in with their kit. I did it a few years ago on my 51 that I sold a few months ago. But I used an 86 Monte Carlo rear and welded lead spring saddles to it.
I did this swap years ago on a 52. The stock spring to axle location on the factory spring was an inch or so forward of center. I relocated the spring bolt center hole on the Camaro rear end I used { exact same rear end as a Nova. } that amount and it bolted right in . Hell even the pinion angle was within specs. But your past that point. Larry
Thank you everyone for your help, going to look at that mount kit from chassis engineering since I have everything else.
It worked great on mine. Here is how it sat with the chassis engineering rear kit with a 1.5 inch rear block and mustang 2 coils in the stock front suspension. It rode great too.
The Jalopy Journal
