Posted By: wkeggenhoff
528 engine not sitting level - 12/31/13 07:41 PM
Have a 69 charger, crate 528 hemi, Schemacher engine mounts and TTI 2 1/8 headers.5spd TKO Keisler tranny
When I had this engine installed with a 383 sat level in car.
Fan spacing was even top to bottom being parallel to core.
Now with Hemi sits low at firewall. Spacing at rad maybe 3.5 " at top 1" at bottom.Headers seem to hang down quit a bit as well.
Anyone else have this combo ?
Tried spacing tranny further up but hits floor.Short of cutting out more dont know what else to do.
Looks like there is room for it to go up looking at headers and where the bends are for suspension etc.Doesn't seem to bother engine not being level
other than I want to install a rad shroud to stop overheat in stop and go traffic.
Any comments would be greaty appreciated
Posted By: HemiRick
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 12/31/13 07:45 PM
All I can say is I have the same combo in a 68 Charger with stock mounts and the engine is level....must be the Shumacner mounts causing your issue.
Posted By: Stanton
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 12/31/13 10:50 PM
Its hard to understand how it can sit low at the firewall yet hit when you move the tranny up !!! Furthermore, the trans mount should be properly positioning the trans so I think the issue is at the front.
How much space is there between the k-member and the oil pan? There should not be much - maybe 1/2". Likewise, the center link should have about the same clearance at the back.
Posted By: DAYCLONA
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 12/31/13 11:23 PM
My recommendation, having been there, done this, is to modify the tailshaft of the TKO by cutting off any casting ribs, esp on top of the tailshaft, and the forward unused ear tabs on top of the tranny near the bellhousing, these usually hit the tunnel on the passenger side, did you install a factory 4 spd hump?, or the sheetmetal "patch" supplied with your kit?, I would also loosen as many motor mount bolts, let the engine sit on it's own weight in the K, then tighten all the bolts up, you may also need to fold the pinchweld rearward around the firewall to transmission tunnel transition area slightly to gain more room around the bellhousing when you raise the tail of the tranny higher, you should be able to gain 1"+, you'll need to fab a spacer for the poly transmission mount...this should bring your driveline angle back to stock, I would use an inclination meter to confirm driveline angle, driveshaft angle, and pinion angle...are you using the TKO tranny mount or a modified factory piece
Mike
Posted By: NITROUSN
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 01/01/14 05:41 AM
If you had an automatic here is what it looks like. No big deal. Did you buy a complete kit from Keisler?
Posted By: HemiRick
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 01/02/14 02:23 AM
My car was an auto and I did not add the 4 sp hump and at 1st I thought that pic was my car! I do recall grinding stuff off the outside of the tranny to make it fit nicely. I put mine in about 10 years ago.
Posted By: astjp2
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 01/02/14 03:42 AM
Just call Al Debevec to get a Hemi K-member and mounts. Problem solved! 715-267-7141
Posted By: gregsrt
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 01/02/14 04:51 AM
My Schumacher mounts on my wedge hit the block with the through bolt on the pass side. Took a bit to figure it out but I cut the bolt down and it fit perfect. Not sure if the hemi mount is similar or not but food for thought.
Posted By: wkeggenhoff
Re: 528 engine not sitting level - 01/02/14 05:58 PM
Thanks guys for all the information, wasn't aware of all the cutting and mods needed. Just bolted unit in as per Keisler instructions. Been in car now for 6 years now. Maybe spring will drop it out and make the changes. Good to know I wasn't the only one with this issue. These pictures are a great help
Thanks guys