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Engine not sitting straight, suggestions?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
From: Plymouth MI
Engine not sitting straight, suggestions?
My dad's 82 Vette was in a bad accident a while ago, and is currently being fixed. We noticed with the hood off that the engine was cocked to one side, the front of the engine pointing more towards the passenger side. Also it looks like it may be off height-wise. The frame was pulled using laser equipment and is straight, the K-member was replaced, and the core support is straight. We don't know what else could be causing this. The body shop measured from the frame rails to the engine mounts, they are uneven from the frame rail. Is this just how they were from the factory? Is it possible that someone could have used two motor mounts from the same side of the car when the previous owner originally swapped in the ZZ4 engine, like right hand motor mounts on both sides or something like that? Here are a couple pics:
Any thoughts?
Any thoughts?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 2,662
Likes: 8
From: Knoxville Tennessee
My first thought is if the tansmission is centered in the tunnel. From the factory, most were closer to the right side of the tunnel. I know of a few that repositioned their motor mounts to make the rear of the tranny be more centered in the tunnel. I swapped my auto for a manual transmission and I centered the rear mount to make the driveshaft be more in line with the differential.
So I would check the allignment of the entire drivetrain before I worried about anything. If the engine is causing an alignment problem, it would be easy to move a motor mount on the frame to get it to line up better. I hope this helps with your problem.
Bernie
So I would check the allignment of the entire drivetrain before I worried about anything. If the engine is causing an alignment problem, it would be easy to move a motor mount on the frame to get it to line up better. I hope this helps with your problem.
Bernie
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 6,128
Likes: 21
From: North Alabama
Originally Posted by BerniesVette
My first thought is if the tansmission is centered in the tunnel. From the factory, most were closer to the right side of the tunnel. I know of a few that repositioned their motor mounts to make the rear of the tranny be more centered in the tunnel. I swapped my auto for a manual transmission and I centered the rear mount to make the driveshaft be more in line with the differential.
So I would check the allignment of the entire drivetrain before I worried about anything. If the engine is causing an alignment problem, it would be easy to move a motor mount on the frame to get it to line up better. I hope this helps with your problem.
Bernie
So I would check the allignment of the entire drivetrain before I worried about anything. If the engine is causing an alignment problem, it would be easy to move a motor mount on the frame to get it to line up better. I hope this helps with your problem.
Bernie
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 1,959
Likes: 1
From: North Bend Ohio
Originally Posted by texaswilkins
Anybody know why they are offset like that?
Bill
Bill
2) For more clearance for things like shifter linkage.
3) To better line up with the pinion gear in the differential.
BigBlockk
Later.....
Pro
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 564
Likes: 0
From: Pittsburgh PA
COOL. When I stuck the blower on top of my engine, the hole I cut in the hood had to be about 1" off of center toward the passenger side... For a long time, I've been wondering what the HECK I did wrong??? 
Nice to know WHY it's that way...
Nice to know WHY it's that way...
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 10,866
Likes: 717
From: Beverly Hills/Pine Ridge Florida
I agree with everyone who has said that the engine is offset to the passenger side, BUT
If you look at the pic, this engine is "cocked" crooked. The front is to the passengers side, while the rear is to the drivers side.
Also, it looks to me like the drivers side of the engine is higher than the passengers side. Something doesn't look right here, at least to my "old eyes".
Chuck
If you look at the pic, this engine is "cocked" crooked. The front is to the passengers side, while the rear is to the drivers side.
Also, it looks to me like the drivers side of the engine is higher than the passengers side. Something doesn't look right here, at least to my "old eyes".
Chuck
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
Likes: 11
From: North Easton Mass
Looking at the original photo again, I think the uneven look to the engine is caused by the fenders being out of whack. There is a split in the middle of the cowl piece and it looks like the passenger fender is not sitting where it should be. The exposed radiator indicates that the front end fiberglass got punched pretty hard. Just my $.02
Rick B.
Rick B.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Originally Posted by Birdie2000
Wow, never woulda thought it would be offset like that.
Thanks guys, appreciate it! Puts some fears to rest.
Thanks guys, appreciate it! Puts some fears to rest.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 19,659
Likes: 34
From: Lenoir City Tennessee
Ci 6, 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15
Could it be an optical illusion caused by the breather cap and valve covers. To me the valve covers look almost even but the cap throws it out. The cap is in a different place than the more stock valve covers.