BBC pulley clearance on frame question
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
BBC pulley clearance on frame question
So I installed my 427 in the frame today along with the T-5. I had lots off header clearance issues with the Jeep Box on one side and the frame rail on the other side, but got those all worked out. I had aligned the rear of the trans so that the angle of the T-5 matched up with the angles on the rear end so that they are Parallel to each other.
After it was all bolted up I noticed there is very little clearance maybe 3/16" on the crankshaft pulley to the frame that would make it impossible to get a belt on without removing the pulley. Is this normal, or do I need to look at dropping the rear of the transmission to raise the front of the motor? If I do that, I will have to figure out how to raise the front of the rear end to get the angles close.
After it was all bolted up I noticed there is very little clearance maybe 3/16" on the crankshaft pulley to the frame that would make it impossible to get a belt on without removing the pulley. Is this normal, or do I need to look at dropping the rear of the transmission to raise the front of the motor? If I do that, I will have to figure out how to raise the front of the rear end to get the angles close.
Last edited by RobRace10; Apr 11, 2009 at 10:41 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
If your sure the trans is where you want it, just go with it and take the pully off to change belts again in several years.. Do the header collectors have enough clearance with the engine tilted up like that? Project looks great!
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
These are Headman headers and there was some issue with the jeep box. I ended up milling about 3/16" off the mounting tabs to bring the jeep box closer to the frame and also grinding on the jeep box body. On the other side the headers sightly touched the frame and my only choice was to bend the pipe in. I took a piece of PVC pipe which had an id exactly the same as the OD of the header pipe. I cut it length wise so a half section would go around the back side of the header tube. I then took a 1" X 2" piece of aluminum and put that over the area I was going to squish with a large c-clamp. It actually worked very well as I was able to flatten the area I wanted to and didn't distort the back side. So now I have about 3/16" clearance there and I think good to go.
I won't know if all is OK on the height of the trans until the body goes back on. I had asked once before if someone could get me a measurement on a Muncie, but never got an answer on this dimension:
I won't know if all is OK on the height of the trans until the body goes back on. I had asked once before if someone could get me a measurement on a Muncie, but never got an answer on this dimension:
Last edited by RobRace10; Apr 11, 2009 at 11:35 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
My engine/trans are not in the car yet but maybe I can put the mount and the crossmember bracket on the trans and get something to reference, or get a pic that might show you something.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
Your motor looks very nice. Yes that would work, I just need the center line of the output shaft and where it would mate up to the cross member mount.
While your at it can you tell me how the distance from the center line of the output shaft to the shifter handle when it's in the neutral position. I have to make my T5 handle adapter yet and that dimension would help.
Thanks!
While your at it can you tell me how the distance from the center line of the output shaft to the shifter handle when it's in the neutral position. I have to make my T5 handle adapter yet and that dimension would help.
Thanks!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
I been fighting with photobucket since last night trying to upload pics, it keeps freezin at 54%.. with the motor mount and crossmember bracket in place on the trans, from the back edge of the bracket up to the center of the tail shaft is about 3 1/2 inches. as far as back and forth, looking at it from the side of the trans, the back edge of the bracket lines right up with the center of the round part of the tail housing where the rear seal is. i'll keep trying to get the pics up so its more clear what I'm trying to describe.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
That gives me a good idea. With the current T5 mount I'm at 5-1/2" on this dimension of the center line down to the back of the mount based upon the picture below. I think I need to do some adjusting as the trans will be to high I'm afraid.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
yes thats where I got 3 1/2 on mine. from what I hear its real close in the tunnel as it is. your tail housing is back a lot farther to I think, I guess your driveshaft had to be cut..
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Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,486
Likes: 71
From: Elkhart Lake, Wisconsin
The stock drive shaft is to long, so I'm going to have a new one made and keep the original in case I put a Muncie in at a later date if the T5 doesn't work as expected. There have been a number of t5 swaps and hope someone else who has done it would chime in on the heights.
Time to find another frame mount to modify to get the height closer. Anyone have an extra for sale?
Time to find another frame mount to modify to get the height closer. Anyone have an extra for sale?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 1,224
Likes: 1
From: Clarksville Indiana
i'm sure theres a fix for that if the search worked.. from the inside of the shifter handle just where its going into the shifter is 2 1/8in to the center. its bent to the right and by the time it gets to the top the ball is about 1/2" left of center
Last edited by 71coupe454; Apr 13, 2009 at 10:29 PM.
