Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I got the engine and transmission on the truck yesterday. The headers are rubbing a little on the motor mounts though. Any possible solutions with pics? I'm not sure if cutting the mounts a little will do more harm than good. Also, the angle of the engine seems wrong: its looks to slope back too much. I'm thinking its because of the tubular transmission crossmember. How does it look to you guys?

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

From the pics kinda looks sloped back to me, as you say.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I agree. I think the headers hitting is a byproduct of the angle of the engine being off. That could cause oiling problems at the front of the engine in the long run, althought it's not a severe angle.

Sidenote to nothing (and yet another good reason to buy a CHEVY): Look at the engine in an early 60's Lincoln Continental. The 430 CID was built so the block was tilting back (like yours but a more severe angle), but the pistons, etc were LEVEL so oiling/lubrication was not an issue. Then, of course, the transmission was specific to those cars as well, and was built with the opposite angle so the innerds sat level, but the case was at an angle to meet the engine. They did this so everything would clear the firewall. Funky a** FORD set up that only lasted a couple years.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

MR E. any pic of the Trans mount and the way its mounted on the frame.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

A stock set up does have a downward slope to it. If all else fails wrap some tape around a socket and hammer a smooth dimple in it. I know, a guy hates to do it, but it wouldn't be the first time headers didn't quite fit without a little massageing.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I had the same exact problem with my 454. You are not going to like the answer, but I had to custom fabricate/improvise using the current mounts. I cut the mounts and the top is now mounted underneath the top of the frame rail, rather than on top. This was a good day's work, but no more clearance issues.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Here are some pics. Thanks

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

try putting a spacer between the trans mount and the trans.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Hey guys, my friend suggested moving the motor mounts back to the next set of holes seen here. Has anyone done that? Will the distibutor clear? He suggested it because the right header also hits the frame.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I agree with JDL, try to shim that trans mount, unless doing so would cause interference with the trans hump in the cab or cause your fan to hit the shroud or crank pulley to rub on the crossmember. I think that is highly unlikely though, there should be plenty of room. If you need to dimple the header, heat it up first with a propane torch in the area you need to dimple it before hitting with a hammer/socket. I also wonder if the CPP tubular engine frame mount brackets might fit better.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Lay a level on the top of the intake (where the carb mounts) and then see how much you have to shim the trans mount to get the carb mount level. From here it looks like the back of the trans needs to come up maybe a quarter of an inch or more.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

By lifting the tranny about 3/4 in. it starts to look better. My buddy Rudy tells me the engine is not suppose to be level. Can someone check and let me know? Also If you have a small block, can someone measure how much space is between the firewall and the center of the distributor shaft. Thanks. PS: My buddies car.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Had same issue with mine. I found mine to be too low in the tailshaft when I was installing the driveshaft through my extreme drop crossmember. I'm also running a mechanical fan/fan clutch w/ factory shroud. By me shimming the tailshaft up about 1/2 inch, my fan now sits center in the shroud and the driveshaft has no clearance issues. When you do shim it, make sure to compensate for your tranny mount bolts. Make sure they are longer. This should also move your headers up, maybe up enough to clear those mounts. To answer your question about moving the mounts back, not really that easy. You'll have to find 6 cyl mounts or V8 4x4 mounts for it to work. Your stock V8 2wd mounts only fit in the front holes due to angle and alignment of holes in crossmember. Been there, done that.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I have this same problem with a set of craigslist dynomax headers - too goo a deal to pass up!

Mine lay on top of the motor mount bracket and need about an 1/8" to clear. I'm going to shim the motor mount up by a couple of washers and all should be well

Todd

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Yes, the engine should slope back but, as mr48chev says, check to see if the carb mount is level.
Also, I wonder if there is a thicker trans mount available.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

[QUOTE=GruntMoanCough;3378146]Yes, the engine should slope back but, as mr48chev says, check to see if the carb mount is level.
Also, I wonder if there is a thicker trans mount available.[/QUIn order to get the carb level, I need to raise the tranny about 2 inches.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Here's a good article on setting the carb angle:

http://www.hotrodheaven.com/tech/cha...ngle_index.htm

Before I put that large of spacer in there, I would cut the mount off, flip it over and reweld it. That should get you pretty close and will probably cost about the same as a newer mount. Plus, it's the right way to do it, ;). Good luck.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I'd build some spacers out of square tubing to put between the trans crossmember and the frame rail. This would raise the trans up the desired 2 inches and you wouldn't have to modify your expensive crossmember by redoing the mount plate on it.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I mocked up the location of the driveshaft in relation to the rear crossmember when I raise the tranny 2 inches , and I only have 1 1/2" of space. How much space do I need? Again, remember i still have no cab or bed which will add weight and lower the truck.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I don't know a good answer to that question. On my beater, it rubs the crossmember periodically. Not good, but never caused me any problems. At rest, it's less than an inch from the crossmember.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

That's some nice out of the box thinking Kevin!

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y6/...00/headers.jpglook at the front tube on my headers they clear the mount by a mile

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

If you do raise thetrans might want to see about trans tunnel clearence

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I can't quite tell from your pictures but when I bought my truck the 402 BB was sitting a quite an angle as well. It was pushed up in the front so far that the tranny was almost hitting the firewall

I had to find a smaller/shorter mounter mount and it corrected the angle but I'm still building so I can't say on the header clearance but have lots of room at the firewall now too

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I'm considering getting the CPP tubular motor mounts, but spending that extra 130 bucks doesn't guarantee the header clearance or motor tilt will be fixed. Keep the advice coming. I really appreciate having you folks on my corner. Thanks. Mr.E

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I'm using these. Although I'm not using the same headers as you, I'm sure you would get the clearance with these. http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...cat=455&page=1

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

What brand of headers are you running?

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I set the old transmission crossmemeber in place and measured the distanace from the floor to the top of crossmember and compared it to the same measurment using the tubular trans crossmember: the old one sits about 1 inch higher than the tubular. I'm running the same transmounts, so that may be why i'm getting the engine tilt. Raising the trans 1 inch however, still doesn't make the engine level at the manifold..2 inches does. Here is what i'm going to try based on the advice: 1) Raise the tranny about an inch at the mount using square tubing (thanks Tx Firefighter) 2) modify the existing motor mounts for header clearance. I'll post pics later. I'm going to HE-MAN: beer,guns, and fishing :chevy:.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

They are not name brand headers..the box has model#S9972. That doesn't tell me much. I still think I should have saved up some more and got the ECE Sandersons.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Remember that your carburetor mount flange should be about level at fully assembled ride height. It's not really that important though. Close is good enough. Think of it, anytime you are driving up a slight hill, it's not level. Same with downhill. I'd just raise it enough to get the header tube clear and not worry about it any further.

So, who made the crossmember ?

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Mr E. The problem is that you have the crossmember upside down, flip it over and your problem will be solved....Look at the picture of mine....Let me know it this solves your problem.
Moving the engine towers back will still be the same distance to the headers....Trust me.....
I look forward to hearing that I solved your problem,,,,:lol:

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I thought that at first too Al, soo i asked for pics... by looking at the mounting tabs on the frame it looks like he has it installed correctly, maybe the Manufacturer installed the ends wrong. where is a pic of your Al? It does look like the center support is upside down however. that is probably why Kevin asked who made it......

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Here are the picts I have of mine here in my office I could take some tonight when I get home....I did mine last year and mine went on and it cleared everywhere my assistant who worked on my truck also thinks that it is upside down...

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

I was going to post the same thing. I thought it looked upside down but the mounting flanges looked right.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

My Hedmann Elites hit in the exact same place on my '72.
I just ground off the lip on the mount tower and notched it back with my cut-off disc. Problem solved.

Bud

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

This is the trans mount from Classic Perforormance Products. It should install as shown in the pic iside the frame rail.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

As I am here reading the different posts I thought of something else, could you have gotten the wrong part or misalabeled being that your tranny is a 700r4 and mine is a th350...just saying....

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

Thats true. I'm getting on the phone with them right now. Thanks

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

It does seem like the one on your truck is somewhat flat across the frame and the one you pictured from CPP is raised. Kind of hard to tell from the angles but that could be the problem.

Re: Headers hit the motor mounts
 

You know, your right..Al's and mine do look flat when compared the website pic. Maybe they use a generic pic for for all trans crossmembers on the website.