Engine angle seems off
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 50
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From: Castle Rock Colorado
Engine angle seems off
I am in the process of rebuilding a 73 that had the front clip wiped off in an accident. I am having a radiator shroud alignment problem. I'm setting a used factory front clip and radiator support, etc. When I try to align everything, the fan blades rub on the passenger side of the shroud and there is a 1.25" gap on the left side. The shroud cannot move any further right without hitting the upper control arm. This is the problem....or maybe the symptom of another problem.
History: L-82 Engine & 400 TH trans has been out. The new enginge is a crate 350/350. The trans is the one that came with the car when it was wrecked. The engine mounts where from the original set up. I had the frame checked by a reputable corvette shop and they said it was straight. The car was worked on after the accident and before my possession of it. I don't have all of the previous work history.
Any thoughts? I was thinking about shimming the engine mount to help. Seems kinda Bubba though.
History: L-82 Engine & 400 TH trans has been out. The new enginge is a crate 350/350. The trans is the one that came with the car when it was wrecked. The engine mounts where from the original set up. I had the frame checked by a reputable corvette shop and they said it was straight. The car was worked on after the accident and before my possession of it. I don't have all of the previous work history.
Any thoughts? I was thinking about shimming the engine mount to help. Seems kinda Bubba though.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Loosen all the radiator core support bolts, even the two in the wheel wells, and support and move the front clip as best as you can with a floor jack or hoist. You should be able to 'nudge' the radiator core support enough to get the shroud in place so the fan doesn't rub.
Also, what is the condition of the transmission mount? If it's cocked or worn the drive line might be skewed.
Also, what is the condition of the transmission mount? If it's cocked or worn the drive line might be skewed.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
That's odd. Did you check out the transmission mount? What is it's condition? Can you loosen it, shift the tale in the opposite direction, and then tighten it?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 4
From: Concord Calif
I am in the process of rebuilding a 73 that had the front clip wiped off in an accident. I am having a radiator shroud alignment problem. I'm setting a used factory front clip and radiator support, etc. When I try to align everything, the fan blades rub on the passenger side of the shroud and there is a 1.25" gap on the left side. The shroud cannot move any further right without hitting the upper control arm. This is the problem....or maybe the symptom of another problem.
History: L-82 Engine & 400 TH trans has been out. The new enginge is a crate 350/350. The trans is the one that came with the car when it was wrecked. The engine mounts where from the original set up. I had the frame checked by a reputable corvette shop and they said it was straight. The car was worked on after the accident and before my possession of it. I don't have all of the previous work history.
Any thoughts? I was thinking about shimming the engine mount to help. Seems kinda Bubba though.
History: L-82 Engine & 400 TH trans has been out. The new enginge is a crate 350/350. The trans is the one that came with the car when it was wrecked. The engine mounts where from the original set up. I had the frame checked by a reputable corvette shop and they said it was straight. The car was worked on after the accident and before my possession of it. I don't have all of the previous work history.
Any thoughts? I was thinking about shimming the engine mount to help. Seems kinda Bubba though.
Being the car was hit and repaired does it have a Corvette shroud on it. Stock the engine is off set to the pass. side so I belive that the shroud needs to have an off set to it too. Just a thought anyway.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 963
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From: melbourne,Australia
Suggest you measure the position first....one obvious way that the engine position can get out of whack is if in the engine mounts have been changed....The engine is supposed to be offset to the passenger side,in your case it may be too far over.....i believe the proper distance is about 1 3/4" but they do vary considerably....also the front of the engine may be offset too far as a result of the gearbox mount being too far the other way in the horizontal plane....needs very careful measuring and an assembly manual,but there are lots of small adjustments available....assuming of course that the frame or body aren't twisted and the measurement process will show that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 752
Likes: 31
From: Melbourne Australia
Suggest you measure the position first....one obvious way that the engine position can get out of whack is if in the engine mounts have been changed....The engine is supposed to be offset to the passenger side,in your case it may be too far over.....i believe the proper distance is about 1 3/4" but they do vary considerably....also the front of the engine may be offset too far as a result of the gearbox mount being too far the other way in the horizontal plane....needs very careful measuring and an assembly manual,but there are lots of small adjustments available....assuming of course that the frame or body aren't twisted and the measurement process will show that.
Long time no see! Another possibility is that the whole body has shifted on the frame. You can remove the door sill plates and check the LHfront and RHrear alignment holes from the sill to the frame. You should be able to insert a rod or large screwdriver right through the frame if body is still in alignment.
Joe
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 50
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From: Castle Rock Colorado
Suggest you measure the position first....one obvious way that the engine position can get out of whack is if in the engine mounts have been changed....The engine is supposed to be offset to the passenger side,in your case it may be too far over.....i believe the proper distance is about 1 3/4" but they do vary considerably....also the front of the engine may be offset too far as a result of the gearbox mount being too far the other way in the horizontal plane....needs very careful measuring and an assembly manual,but there are lots of small adjustments available....assuming of course that the frame or body aren't twisted and the measurement process will show that.
I have the AIM so i'll look it up an do some measuring.
Thanks!
Thread Starter
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Joined: May 2006
Posts: 50
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From: Castle Rock Colorado
Hi John,
Long time no see! Another possibility is that the whole body has shifted on the frame. You can remove the door sill plates and check the LHfront and RHrear alignment holes from the sill to the frame. You should be able to insert a rod or large screwdriver right through the frame if body is still in alignment.
Joe
Long time no see! Another possibility is that the whole body has shifted on the frame. You can remove the door sill plates and check the LHfront and RHrear alignment holes from the sill to the frame. You should be able to insert a rod or large screwdriver right through the frame if body is still in alignment.
Joe
I'll take a look at this as well.
Thanks!