Technical axle position on 50 pontiac

the rear of my 50 was replaced with a GM late model 8.5 before I bought it and looks like its forward of center ( axle centered on pin with new pads ) and very close to the fender front edge ( about 1"from edge ) with 26" tires ( factory tire is 28" Dia ) , the factory springs are still being used . are the axle pads on the original axle offset of center on the pin ? or should they look like this normally ??

 

The bolt through the spring is not centered in the wheelwell. When you put a late model rearend in, the rear wheels will sit forward in the wheelwells. You can flip the leaf springs front to back and that will center them up, or build special lowering blocks with an offset hole.

 

thanks I thought there was something up with it .

 

Back the axle up 1-1/2". Re-drill the perch holes.

 

thanks Gimpy for the specs , lots easier than trying to break loose the springs .

 

This is correct. I don't know about pontiacs, but Chevy's have a larger spring eyelet in the front and can't be swapped around.

 

easier to break the 10 year axle loose and drill the platform than to pull the 65 year old springs , if the springs ever have to be removed they will be replaced with a newer style or set up .

 

Strange. Pontiac's pins should be centered since they were open drive.

Good excuse to add some lowering blocks, though. Put the offset in the block.

 

Funny, I did it.... No Problem at all. Missouri car too. Everything here is rusty, and it came apart just fine.