[eschaider]

While esthetically more pleasing to be in a straight line the offset to the left/right depending on your perspective or the vertical offset from the transmission's output shaft has little significance for us. The important consideration is that the angles are equal at the trans end and the pinion. When the angles are not equal there is a nasty vibration that will ultimately lead to parts breakage.

If you are a scratch builder or motivated owner you can correct the "misalignment" by rehanging the center section to put the pinion shaft in "proper" alignment with the transmission output shaft. When you have completed the rehanging you will have to have a custom set of half shafts made to fit the new center section location.

From drawings and pictures I have researched it appears that the originals from the sixties had a similar "misalignment" however I have seen pictures of originals that appeared not to have the misalignment. Running change, photographic angle? I don't know. If there are any owners of originals out there I'd love to know how your driveshaft angle appears.

By the way the equal angle thing is easy to accomplish without space shuttle equipment. The equal angle means the center line of the pinion shaft is parrallel to the centerline of the transmission outputshaft. Although parrallel it can be offset either vertically or horizontally as long as its centerline is still parrallel to the centerline of the transmission output shaft.

For what its worth I was not a happy camper when I saw my driveshaft offset, but the cost to correct it and the benefits were tilted the wrong way towards the cost. Mine is still offset.

Ed