When levelling the engine for motor mount mock up etc. Do I simply level the frame front to back and side to side first or do I have to level it all with the suspension compressed like it's running down the road?

 

Moose79

I leveled the frame side to side - I set the frame rake to where I wanted it to be. I then set the motor up level - measuring at the intake manifold carb flange. The frame was not loaded or weighted down.

Hope this helps

Dan

 

I set mine up with the wheels on the ground. Verify level side to side. You can tweak a corner with a jack to level it. Engine close to level as possible at the carb base. Hopefully perfect if you can raise the trans high enough without hitting sheetmetal. Being off a degree or two is no tragedy if it looks good to you. My truck seems to run the same going up and down hills.

 

As already stated the frame should be set level side to side and at the final rake front to rear. Carb engines then set with the carb pad level which is normally a 3 degree downward angle for the engine and trans, fuel injected engines have more leeway, I have run up to 5 degrees down for better clearances. Engine and trans can be offset to one side or the other as needed for clearances as long as the engine and trans are mounted parallel to the frame rails. Don't center the trans and push the engine off to one side.
Suspension should be compressed at ride height and rake when it comes time to set the pinion angle, easiest to use a 4 post lift or have the truck on jack stands under the rear axle.

 

Thanks for the info boys. It supposed to be 9* in London Ontario Canada this Saturday and my final outdoor activity will be to level frame and level engine.

I'm sorry if I missed it but right now my engine has EFI lower intake on it. That should be level front to back then the carved intake will still work out?

 

Yes, that will be fine. Verify the upper intake will clear the firewall if you intend to ever use it in the future. You'll want to verify the fan-radiator-shroud clearance before you commit. Good luck. The weather doesn't sound fun.

 

No mechanical fan. Electric here. And 9* Celsius. Balmy for the first week of december

 

Yeah, I'll take 9C over 9F any day. Brrrrr.

 

So when I'm finalizing my engine placement....I should just level the carb flange and that will necessarily put the necessary (about) 3 degree downward angle of the transmission? I thought I had to angle the engine down by making sure it was 3 degrees down when putting the gauge on the carb flange. I guess the way to "be sure" is to level the carb flange, and then put the angle gauge on the back of the transmission? Now i've really got myself confused!! I am at this point in my project...and have sort of stalled because of this...

 

Schuyler, the carb flange already has a 3/4 degree forward angle. So by getting it level you have automatically made the entire engine/trans assembly 3 degree down angle to the rear. I only know this as the wise folks here at FTE pointed it out to me as I was going through this same gyration a few months ago! An eight degree down angle on the engine was pretty obviously wrong when I posted a side view of my engine mock up on my build thread. oops

 

Awesome thanks!!