Hot Rods 55 Nomad Hot Rod 12bolt Rear Question

Hi Everyone, I hope somebody can help with this question.

My friend is building a 55 Nomad Old School hot rod. He sourced a 12-bolt rear from a 69 Camaro. It's the right width for the car. He then picked up a set of Mopar perches. We removed the Camaro perches, He set up the rear on the leaf springs, centered it, and then set the pinion angle to about 3 degrees. We tacked the perches with his 110 MIG, and then took the rear out and to my house where I fully welded the perches with my 220 unit. He pulled the drums and brake junk, and axles. Installed new seals, and we bolted up the wheel cylinders. the rear was resting on jack stands. All looked good.

Here's where I need a little perspective.

He picked up the rear yesterday and installed it. He has the nomad on jackstands. He noticed that the wheel cylinders were not parallel to the floor. They pointed slightly down. The pinion angle is 3 degrees down so they are following that angle roughly. He put a bottle jack under the pumpkin, leveled the wheel cylinders and he was right on the gas tank. He called me and asked me what I thought.

I checked the pinion angle again and it looks about right. I cant recollect ever noticing a wheel cylinder on a Chevy wheel that wasn't level, and I have had a zillion on jack stands with the drums off. Any thoughts? or are we just old, crazy, and overthinking this? Will things settle when it's on tires on the ground?

I have to say that everything that was simple when we were 40 is complicated now that we are 60

Thanks for the help!

 

I’ve never paid any attention to em being level

 

I doubt it will make a difference but if it bothers you guys there are leaf spring wedges available. They were used on 50’s straight axle pick ups.

 

Take a few extra minutes and get it ***embled and on the ground, you can check fitment and everything else then

 

What’s the wheel cyl gonna do at a slight angle?
Leak?
If so, it needs replaced or rebuilt

 

Pinion angle has to match the transmission output angle. Nothing else matters. As long as you can get all the air out bleeders, you could have the wheel cylinders at 90 degrees and they will still work fine.

 

I always set pinion angle last
At ride height, weight in the wheels with the engine/trans

 

you're " old, crazy,and over thinking" lol.
A great opportunity to show off my buddy's nomad with 12 bolt. It stops fine.

 

Thank you guys. I appreciate the help. We are going to get it on wheels, and check pinion angle again. BTW, I really like the hotrod Nomad. He is doing something similar. It's my old car, that I sold him during my battle with the Big C several years ago, and I want to help him get it going. HAMB is the best.