Hood Clearance Issues...
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
Hood Clearance Issues...
I thought I was done worring about this but it cropped up again today. My stock hood barely clears the top of my air cleaner (I have a drop base edlebrock to make it fit). It seems that under hard acceleration the engine twists enough to hit the hood. I noticed some semi serious scratches where the air cleaner nut hits the hood. Here are my questions.
1)I had a new motor and motor mounts put in less than 2 yrs ago, how much twist is normal, could I have a broken or worn motor mount already. (side note: my shifter moves a lot as well, but I was told that this was normal, since the hurst is mounted right to the tranny)
2)What am I going to break. The scratches in the hood are not really big deal to me, and I am not gunning it all the time, but what could I screw up motor wise, just the air cleaner or could I damage the carb/intake etc.
3)I plan on paint in the not to distant future and will probably go with an higher-rise hood at that point. When you get one of these hoods from ecklers etc. what is all involved in getting the fit right. Are they pretty much bolt on, or is there some work involved.
I could really do without spending the dough on a new hood, but I think my options are limited.
1)I had a new motor and motor mounts put in less than 2 yrs ago, how much twist is normal, could I have a broken or worn motor mount already. (side note: my shifter moves a lot as well, but I was told that this was normal, since the hurst is mounted right to the tranny)
2)What am I going to break. The scratches in the hood are not really big deal to me, and I am not gunning it all the time, but what could I screw up motor wise, just the air cleaner or could I damage the carb/intake etc.
3)I plan on paint in the not to distant future and will probably go with an higher-rise hood at that point. When you get one of these hoods from ecklers etc. what is all involved in getting the fit right. Are they pretty much bolt on, or is there some work involved.
I could really do without spending the dough on a new hood, but I think my options are limited.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 10,362
Likes: 5
From: San Diego - Deep Within The State of CONFUSION!
clearance?
I am running a performer manifold, and an Edlebrock Performer series Quadrajet. I have a 3.5" tall air cleaner and it fits fine. Drop base is mandatory of course.
I have a custom wingnut that I use in shows that is about 3/8 inch high and shaped like a triangle. If I drive with that on, it puts a triangluar dent in the underhood insulation. So I keep a normal wingnut on it and have no issues.
Motor mount breakage is easy to see though! Especially the way the hoods open on these cars. Just leave the hood up and see if the engine walks when you accelerate w/foot on the brakes. If it lifts up at all, the mount is bad.
I said 'lifts up.' so don't mistake normal torque for lifting.
I have a custom wingnut that I use in shows that is about 3/8 inch high and shaped like a triangle. If I drive with that on, it puts a triangluar dent in the underhood insulation. So I keep a normal wingnut on it and have no issues.
Motor mount breakage is easy to see though! Especially the way the hoods open on these cars. Just leave the hood up and see if the engine walks when you accelerate w/foot on the brakes. If it lifts up at all, the mount is bad.
I said 'lifts up.' so don't mistake normal torque for lifting.
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 70
Likes: 0
From: vancouver wa
Hood clearance
I have a new 71 with base motor 350. I put a preformer edelbrock carb and intake. I had to put a 2" filter with drop down base for my hood to clear. it sucks. I would prefer to have a 3" air cleaner. but the hoo will not close. Why does yours fit and mine doesn't.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
The engine should not twist very much with good, new motor mount. I swear I thougt the engine would would pop out of the car with my distroyed mounts. Maybe your mounts are defective???? 
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 545
Likes: 0
From: Waukesha WI
Originally Posted by gvajgrt
Solid motor mounts will drop your engine about 3/4" to 1". That may be all you need to clear the cleaner.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
Originally Posted by crf311
I changed my hood to the L88 for 2 reasons. 1) More clearance. 2) Elimanation of the wiper door. Best Mod I did to the car. Changes the whole look for the better. 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 758
Likes: 14
From: Ville de la Baie Quebec. A winner is just a loser who tried again.
Originally Posted by DollaGreen
I found out I do have a broken motor mount on the driver side...only about 3k on the motor and mount. I dont beat it very often either. Is that strange? So what type of mounts do you suggest? What are the types and pros/cons. Thanks for the feedback!
