Moparts

engine tilts aft a lot how to fix

Posted By: frank

engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/27/21 09:41 PM

Just installed this engine in a Charger. There is a pretty noticeable aft tilt. The transmission is installed and bolted to the cross member. I jacked the trans tail shaft up and put some shims on top of the trans mount..400 is the max before the trans starts to hit the car. The engine was a [censored] to get lined up. Had to loosen the engine mounts on passenger side to finally get it to drop in place. Mounts are Schumacker Poly Mounts. With the max amount of shim at trans mount the bubble in the level did not move at all that I could tell. Whats wrong here?

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Posted By: 6PakBee

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/27/21 10:12 PM

Is the ride height of the body where it should be? Specifically the front end.
Posted By: frank

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 12:08 AM

Cars up on jacks. I put the level on the roof and its level. No adjustments to ride height have been made since removing old engine and installing this one. Actually no adjustments to the suspension/chassis at all
Posted By: Sniper

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 12:21 AM

Gabriel Hijackers will fix this
Posted By: TJP

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 01:46 AM

Originally Posted by Sniper
Gabriel Hijackers will fix this
LOL Good one up

On a more serious note, I'm going to say the mounts are incorrect for you K frame / engine combo. We had a Charger in a while back with a Magnum force front Suspension and a hemi that was shoved so far to the right that the valve cover was dented and it was still hitting the shock tower at rest. No need for a torque strap on that one LOL. We wound up redoing the mounts to get the motor centered and level side to side. And yes it was a PITA twocents beer
Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 02:24 AM

Originally Posted by TJP
Originally Posted by Sniper
Gabriel Hijackers will fix this
LOL Good one up

On a more serious note, I'm going to say the mounts are incorrect for you K frame / engine combo. We had a Charger in a while back with a Magnum force front Suspension and a hemi that was shoved so far to the right that the valve cover was dented and it was still hitting the shock tower at rest. No need for a torque strap on that one LOL. We wound up redoing the mounts to get the motor centered and level side to side. And yes it was a PITA twocents beer


I agree. Unless you have some corn bread concoction get the factory mounts and isolators and you will be fine. Having to fight to drop it in place tells me you have a concoction of incorrect parts.
Posted By: Alchemi

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 02:32 AM

Not many car roof's are level to ride height...

The lower sill on mopars are meant to be though, have a check vs that
Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 02:34 AM

Your camera angles give a false illusion. Here is my 69 for a comparison.

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Posted By: 70Duster

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 03:06 AM

Who told you the engine should be perfectly level? This a car, not a piece of furniture or a picture hanging on your wall. Never heard of anyone trying to "level" an engine.
Posted By: frank

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 03:43 AM

Thank you gentlemen. This engine is a 400/511 so stock mounts won't last long; that's why I went with Schumacker. I've never had a problem with them in the past. I know Mopar engines have an aft tilt configuration but this one is excessive . At least more than I've seen
Frank
Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 04:23 AM

There is nothing wrong at the transmission mount. IF there is too much tilt, which I'm not convinced of, your problem is at the front. Check the distance from the k-member to the crankshaft (there are correct numbers out there somewhere).
Posted By: earlymopar

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 12:38 PM

1.) Get a an adjustable protractor that has the bubble, then check for the angle of the car (rake) using something other than the roof. Check in 3 or 4 places to be sure. (often the recess that drops down from the fender into the engine bay is a good surface to use for this). Adjust the protractor until the bubble is centered and then record the number of degrees shown.

2.) Once you completed step #1, go on to check the engine position. Set the bubble protractor back on top of the carburetor / fuel injection and adjust the protractor until you have the bubble centered. The read the amount of degrees shown.

3.) Subtract the number found at step #2 from the number at step #1 and that is the angle your engine is actually mounted at. Most engine installations are angled down in the back by 3 degrees (to match the rear end pointing up by the same 3 degrees) 3 degrees is the goal but many installs run with more than 3 with no issues.
Posted By: 6PakBee

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 01:15 PM

I'm not sure what you would do. But I do know that all the specifications are with the tires installed and the car on the ground. Once you have the car on jackstands, who knows where you are.
Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 03:59 PM

Measure from the center of the crank to the K-frame. 5 1/4 inches is what you want to see. Measure from the center of the crank to each frame rail. Subtract lower from the higher number and the difference should be 2 1/2 inches. The motor sits closer to the right frame rail by 1 1/4 inches. Measure and report back.
Posted By: frank

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 08:54 PM

Originally Posted by NITROUSN
Measure from the center of the crank to the K-frame. 5 1/4 inches is what you want to see. Measure from the center of the crank to each frame rail. Subtract lower from the higher number and the difference should be 2 1/2 inches. The motor sits closer to the right frame rail by 1 1/4 inches. Measure and report back.


With the car still on jacks (I will downjack and take all measurements again) the distance from center of crank, as measured from center of crank bolt, to K frame is 5 1/2 inches. Distance to passenger frame rail 14 1/2 and to drivers frame rail 17 inches
Posted By: A727Tflite

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 09:10 PM

Last measurement should tell the story - measure from the top of the bellhousing to a given location on the firewall.
Or using a straightedge - top of bell to the top of the inner apron tops.

Or top of extension housing to the cross member support horseshoe - the part weld in the car.

Maybe some one here can provide those measurements.
Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 02/28/21 09:16 PM

Originally Posted by frank
Originally Posted by NITROUSN
Measure from the center of the crank to the K-frame. 5 1/4 inches is what you want to see. Measure from the center of the crank to each frame rail. Subtract lower from the higher number and the difference should be 2 1/2 inches. The motor sits closer to the right frame rail by 1 1/4 inches. Measure and report back.


With the car still on jacks (I will downjack and take all measurements again) the distance from center of crank, as measured from center of crank bolt, to K frame is 5 1/2 inches. Distance to passenger frame rail 14 1/2 and to drivers frame rail 17 inches


On stands of on the floor those measurements will not change. If they do in will be minimal. Sounds like you are very close. As Transman mentioned a rear measurement would also help. Center of transmission output to floor would help. I do not have that number but maybe someone might.
Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 01:03 AM

Originally Posted by Transman
Last measurement should tell the story - measure from the top of the bellhousing to a given location on the firewall.
Or using a straightedge - top of bell to the top of the inner apron tops.

Or top of extension housing to the cross member support horseshoe - the part weld in the car.

Maybe some one here can provide those measurements.


I just put a 383 and 727 in my project 1970 Charger.

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Posted By: Kern Dog

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 01:07 AM

My bell sits closer to the tunnel that I expected. I just swapped a 5 speed Tremec into my other Charger. There is more clearance in the red car.

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Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 02:49 AM

Originally Posted by frank
Originally Posted by NITROUSN
Measure from the center of the crank to the K-frame. 5 1/4 inches is what you want to see. Measure from the center of the crank to each frame rail. Subtract lower from the higher number and the difference should be 2 1/2 inches. The motor sits closer to the right frame rail by 1 1/4 inches. Measure and report back.


With the car still on jacks (I will downjack and take all measurements again) the distance from center of crank, as measured from center of crank bolt, to K frame is 5 1/2 inches. Distance to passenger frame rail 14 1/2 and to drivers frame rail 17 inches


Sounds like you don't have a problem...
Posted By: CMcAllister

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 03:28 AM



On a stock body I use the rocker as a reference. bottom of the rocker/pinch weld. Engine/trans will be 3 degrees tailshaft down on normal mounts from the rocker. Do not use the carb flange unless you have confirmed it to be square with the pan rail. Pan rail, bell housing or block front machined surfaces. Use a decent digital protractor.
Posted By: Kiddart

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 05:28 PM

if the motor is all assembled you can use your balancer to get the angle as well.
Posted By: Jim_Lusk

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 06:31 PM

One more thing. Many years ago I was hanging out at a friend's dad's shop. Guy pulls in with a boat with a Cadillac engine. Something wasn't right and he wasn't sure what it was. Immediately, I saw the issue, the intake was on backwards. You might have that issue here...
Posted By: a12rag

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 09:18 PM

have you checked to see if the driveshaft lines up with the differential ???
Posted By: lewtot184

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/01/21 11:05 PM

if that's a victor intake then it won't have any "tilt" towards the front at the carb pad. engines usually set a few degrees down in the back and most manifolds have a 3-4 degree tilt down towards the front of the carb pad. your engine/trans are probably ok. you may want to have a very careful look at the intake to see if there is a front and back but i don't think it has this. and, looking at a edelbrock catalog it looks like most of those race intakes don't have any angle cast into them.
Posted By: frank

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 03:07 AM

No driveshaft in the car yet. I need to get it downjacked, take the measurements and order a new shaft. Something I didn't mention before was when the engine was finally in the K frame and the trans bolted up the tail shaft was off center. Additionally the right side of the engine was about a 1/4 inch lower than the left.
Intake is a Trickflow. I don't know if it can be installed backwards or not.
I got a cheep angle guage from Home Depot today. Its reading 4 degrees tilt on the engine and the same at the trans. A better digital gauge should be here tomorrow

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Posted By: lewtot184

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 12:58 PM

the engine/trans are supposed to have a 3-4 degree tilt towards the rear. a 3-4 degree tilt towards the front of the engine at the carb pad corrects that and most intakes have that carb angle designed into them. edelbrocks race intakes don't have carb angle. the circle track guys used have angled spacers they would put under carbs to correct angularity. edelbrock probably designs their intakes this way to avoid distribution issues. you have fuel injection so maybe it's not an issue at all. the left to right angle can be corrected by simply moving the engine around on the k-frame mounts; i've done this. the engine/trans isn't designed to sit in the centerline of the chassis. early b-bodies have the engine off to right and a little angled.
Posted By: frank

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 04:44 PM

I never knew that about intakes. Maybe this engine is within limits on the aft tilt. It just "looked" out of kilter. The engine alignment (side to side) issue is fixed. I did just what you said but I had to loosen the passenger side mount to make things right. Everything is bolted up and torqued down now. The last thing is to confirm engine tilt with the digital angle gauge.
Posted By: moparx

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 05:55 PM

the transmission needs to be shifted towards the passenger side of the tunnel to allow for shifter linkage. manual or automatic, column or floor shifter.
beer
Posted By: lewtot184

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 07:05 PM

Originally Posted by frank
I never knew that about intakes. Maybe this engine is within limits on the aft tilt. It just "looked" out of kilter. The engine alignment (side to side) issue is fixed. I did just what you said but I had to loosen the passenger side mount to make things right. Everything is bolted up and torqued down now. The last thing is to confirm engine tilt with the digital angle gauge.
see if you can find a newer edelbrock catalog or maybe the info is online. it will explain everything about the manifold dimensions. as an example; a 6pak intake has the back of the rear carb pad about an inch higher than the front of the front carb pad. that's going to figure about 3-4 degrees. something else to do when the car is on the floor put a 3/8" spacer under the back of the injection unit (front of injection unit will sit on the manifold) and then check with a level.
Posted By: jlatessa

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 08:11 PM

On the OPs pic you can see that the plane of the carb base is pretty close to parallel
to his VCs.

On the Hemis pic the carb base is not aligned with the VC.
So apparently, either the OPs intake has no correction for engine tilt
or possibly it is on backwards??

Joe
Posted By: frank

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 08:51 PM

Received digital angle gauge & level today. Looks like the engine does not have an excessive aft tilt. I did measurements across the entire engine. The more forward the measurement the lesser degree of tilt. For example at the water neck housing 2.5, degrees aft tilt, top of carb 3.1, back of engine by oil pressure sender 2.9, trans pan 3.3, and aft tail shaft 3.5. I would like to thank everyone who commented. I appreciate your input.BTW I'm going to look into the possibility of intake manifold being on backwards. I always thought they could only go on one way.
Frank
Posted By: lewtot184

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 09:04 PM

i don't think there is a front or back on that intake. edelbrock states zero degree carb pad angle so what difference would it make? there aren't any vacuum or water port points for reference. can you imagine how screwed up that would be with a 4150 style carb with the driveline in it's correct location (3 degrees down toward the rear is normal)? if you had a car that could produce any kind of g-force fuel would slosh out the primary boosters and starve secondary. design float level would be screwed up. but, there are tapered carb spacers out there or one could be simply made from a spacer if someone had access to a mill.
Posted By: NITROUSN

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/02/21 09:33 PM

Most intakes are almost impossible to put on backwards. Not that they cant bolt to the heads it is all the other obvious that should clue you what way it goes. Coil mounting, vacuum ports, Logos, lettering just to name a few.
Posted By: poorboy

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/03/21 01:44 AM

I've built lots and lots of strange motor/car body combinations over the years, and I can tell you without a doubt that having a level motor is a great goal, but not always achievable. I can also tell you that the level can be off quite a bit and not cause any issues. Some vehicles are actually built with the motors set at odd angles on purpose, they were designed so the motor was pretty level when the vehicle was operating at very strange angles.

Fuel injection makes the level motor a lot less important then the old carbs required, but even the old carbs were not as level dependent as some would want you to believe. Gene
Posted By: moparx

Re: engine tilts aft a lot how to fix - 03/03/21 05:08 PM

the problem with using a tapered carb spacer is that it does not allow the retaining fasteners for the carb to apply even pressure on the carb's ears, thus increasing the chance of the ears to break or crack.
this is because the threads are machined perpendicular to the carb mounting point.
the only way for a tapered spacer to be used properly, would be to machine tapered washers that would index correctly to the base fasteners so the retainers would apply uniform clamping pressure on the ears.
beer
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