engine alignment problem

motorhead446 said
This might be long.
13 years ago i installed a 440/727 in my 70 duster for drag racing. I used elephant ears in the front, 73-76 A body trans mount in the back. Recently I started changing things back to a typical bigblock A body setup, schmacher mounts and headers, sure grip in place of spool ect.. I rarely have time to race so i figure i can get more seat time cruising.

The problem im having is that with the motor "hanging" in place by the ear mounts the K frame and shcumacher mounts to not line up. It appears as if the motor has to come forward 1.5 to 2 inches.

Here is what I think the problem is, and im looking for opinions or confirmation on my thinking. Im using an 67-72 K frame, 67-72 schumacher mount kit, but my transmission mount is an 73-76. I think the trans mount puts the motor/trans back approx the amount i need to go forward.

I dont have a 73-76 K frame and dont plan to buy one as I have put some time into the one im using. I dont want to switch to the 73-76 spool type mounts for the previous mentioned reason. I think my most resonable option is to switch to a early style trans mount and cross member. I hesitate to do this because i feel the later mount is a lot stronger design.

Any opinions or suggestions are welcomed.

Just been down this road myself. :banghead:

I suspect that the trans mount or the K member aren't what I thought. My car was originally a slant 6 car and someone has fitted a V8 K member but out of what, I don't know. I don't think it was an A body K member somehow. I also suspected a different transmission extension housing seeing as the trans was out of an Aussie C body car but I've since been told that there wouldn't be any difference. All trans should be the same. I see though that Schumachers have some of the different trans mounts available on their website.

In the end I got a pry bar and muscled the motor forward into position.

I would also recommend that you pull the K member and install/position the motor from underneath. There may also be enough clearance in the holes of the k member to give you enough play to set the motor in position. That coupled with loosening the motor mounts, trans mount and bit of muscle should get you there.