engine clearance and offset ?
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Upstate ny
engine clearance and offset ?
ok here it goes , I am having a couple clearance issues in the motor dept. I have a 351w with aod trans and a mustang II front susp with a flaming river rack . I am having issues with front to back clearance ,rack sits higher than x member and rear sump pan clears the x member but not the rack so Icant go forward more and I only have about an eighth inch at the firewall and a sixteenth at the rack that is with the rack spaced out 5/8 already but if I offset the motor 1 1/2 inches it puts the motor more in the recess of the firewall and gives me plenty of room . can I offset it or does that hurt anything else .
do these offset measurements sound right
frame wid. at front pulley - 32" half = 16 - 1.5 " = 14.5' from pass fr. rail
frame width at rear of trans- 33.5'" half= 16.75- 1.5" =15.25 " "
8' rearend is close to center maybe just slightly towards pass side is this ok shaft will run at a slight angle
sorry if confusing any help appreciated
do these offset measurements sound right
frame wid. at front pulley - 32" half = 16 - 1.5 " = 14.5' from pass fr. rail
frame width at rear of trans- 33.5'" half= 16.75- 1.5" =15.25 " "
8' rearend is close to center maybe just slightly towards pass side is this ok shaft will run at a slight angle
sorry if confusing any help appreciated
Postmaster
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 4,190
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From: Riverside, So Cal
A lot of folks with the stock or Volrae steering routinely offset the motor more than you propose to get clearance at their driver side headers. I don't see a problem doing what you want here.
Cargo Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,757
Likes: 138
From: Alberta Canada
Offset
I am using 302 in my '50 F1; MII and AOD. I offset my motor and tranny 1.5" to passenger side; pan clears, had issues with steering and motor mount but I fabbed mount to allow it to clear.
Tom
Tom
old and in the way
Joined: Jul 1997
Posts: 5,926
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From: Lovely Hueytown Alabama
I went two inches with the Volare and it was no problem
I can't imagine you having clearance problems with a SB
I'm using a 460 and went this way with a relief in the crossmember
later
John
I can't imagine you having clearance problems with a SB
I'm using a 460 and went this way with a relief in the crossmember
later
John
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
John, I want to eat off yer frame. And jon, that's assuring knowing this. My hopes are to maintain that speed without worry.
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Posting Guru
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: Adams,CO.
Havi, we will need to remaind the guys that a 1" offset from the driver side will equal a
2" difference when measured. I really believe the most important thing here would be the pinion angle. Keeping in mind that I have the Exploder which is already offset. I have also noticed that a lot of 53-56 owners have not realized that the firewall is already offset to the right (pass ) side from factory. Not noticable until you measure it. Seems offsets are nothing out of the ordinary in a lot of vehicles.
Jon
2" difference when measured. I really believe the most important thing here would be the pinion angle. Keeping in mind that I have the Exploder which is already offset. I have also noticed that a lot of 53-56 owners have not realized that the firewall is already offset to the right (pass ) side from factory. Not noticable until you measure it. Seems offsets are nothing out of the ordinary in a lot of vehicles.
Jon
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Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Upstate ny
thanks you for the responses and info ,do the measurments sound right , i just keep it square with the frame rail right? not sure if i got it right because the frame width changes but it should be ok becuase I am measuring from center on both ends correct ?
the shaft at a slight angle wont bother?
again thanks for the help.
the shaft at a slight angle wont bother?again thanks for the help.
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
Yes, keep the crank centerline parallel with the center of the frame. That will result in the same offset angle at the tranny and pinion when viewed from the top, a perfectly acceptable situation AFA the U joints are considered. A lot of vehicles are built with the engine and/or pinion location offset from side to side at the factory.
Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
I don't know what you're using for a tranny mount but No-Limit Engineering sells an offset tranny mount. I used one of their mounts on my truck and it saved a lot of fabrication hassle...
Thread Starter
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Senior User
Joined: Aug 2006
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From: Upstate ny
thanks AX and GNW so the rear pinion at an offset of about an inch more toward center than the tailshaft is ok . GNW thanks for the info but I already have a custom x member ready I can just offset my mounting plate .
Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2006
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From: Westminster,Md
Mod22, I also put the 351/AOD combo in mine, It is very tight without the offset. IAm I reading correctly , you have 1/16" clearence ,oilpan to rack? Seems a bit close IMHO.Might want to give that drivetrain some wiggle-room,solid urethane engine mounts? The rubber ones move alot...then tend to "sqaush" or sag later, leaving you in a different place than when you started.
I used a 351 block into a mustang fox body conversion oilpan,..
ended upwith the front sump( which wraps around the oilpump),
being alot tighter around the pump..allowing a little more clearence at the rack/crossmember area...and also allowed the engine to drop down a little bit more. The steering IS tight though at the header,
an offset if it doesn't bother you WILL make life easier.Just my .02$
Good Luck!!
I used a 351 block into a mustang fox body conversion oilpan,..
ended upwith the front sump( which wraps around the oilpump),
being alot tighter around the pump..allowing a little more clearence at the rack/crossmember area...and also allowed the engine to drop down a little bit more. The steering IS tight though at the header,
an offset if it doesn't bother you WILL make life easier.Just my .02$
Good Luck!!
I'll have the Roast Duck
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 9,622
Likes: 110
From: Northshore, MN
perhaps old hat already, but here's a link to my 400 in the F1 frame. The frame mounts are '79 factory, and centered equidistant on the frame, yet the crank bolt is offset to the Pass. side a couple inches. This shows that Ford offset the motor in 4x4's in the 1970's. https://www.ford-trucks.com/user_gal...157525&width=2
Hotshot
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 15,882
Likes: 88
From: Durham NC
No problem with your horizontal offset between tailshaft and pinion. Where novice builders get in trouble is when they think they should point the tailshaft at the pinion, angling the engine. A lot of 4x4s have a very strong offset to clear the front driveshaft.