Lowering 49-54 Chevys with blocks

[Roothawg]

OK guys, since I am back on the 50 Fleetline hard and heavy, I figure I will ask some more "entry level" custom questions.

I had my local machine shop at work whip me out a set of solid 3" blocks. I had em make em solid so I can drill the block to locate them in the center. Now, I know that the Chevys have an offset pin to locate the springs so lets start there.

What I had thought was to offset the hole in the block to compensate for this. First question. How much offset should there be? Then what about the top side?

I know this sounds elementary but this is the first set of blocks I have ever used. Most of the time I just had new springs built.

[Rocket88]

As I recall rearend has to be set back approx 1-1/2" from the pin on the spring pack.

[Roothawg]

So if I find the center of this block and measure back 1.5" of centerline and drill it....that should be right?

[Rocket88]

I can't remember %100. I'll ask my bro, he's built several sets.

[Roothawg]

I figured I could drill the block instead of the pad. It would be easier to do on a drill press rather than trying to do it by hand. More precise too.

[Roothawg]

Anyone?

[kustomd]

I did the rearend in my 54 1 3/4 inches. but I used an 80 chevy malibu wagon rearend in my car. The rearend looks centered in the wheel well now so I left it at 1 3/4 inches. Thats from the center of the stock hole to the center of the new hole. How I found that out was I measured from the center of the stock hole that was on the mounting block for my stock 54 rearend to the center line of the rearend and thats what it was. My buddies that are running the same setups all set they're cars up like mine and they look fine also. Did you go to dewey last year? If you did there was a flat black 4dr 53 there with some kinda weird tribal kinda flames on it and the guy that owned it set that rearend up just like mine. He also bought those $16.00 O'riely's rearend pads to. I built my pads so I could get mine a little lower in the back.

[Roothawg]

OK, I follow ya for the most part.
What exactly is offset on the Chevys? Is it the stock hole or the fact that it looks off center when you lower it?

[Moriarity]

Assuming you are still using the stock rear/torque tube. the block should be drilled in the center, and the locating pin in the top of the block should also be in the center. All the talk about offsetting the hole or pin is associated with an open rearend swap

[Roothawg]

No I have the Camaro, 79-80, I am gonna convert it to.

[choprods]

If the 3 aint enough-[stock spring leaves?] remove the "J hanger" at rear and use a short straight shackle set[trailer store] attached THRU the frame [with some 1-1/2"tubing] to hold the upper bushing that will knock off two inches additional without getting the shock plate lower than rim edge. You may need a pinion angle "shim" if you do this.......