Hot Rods Distributor firewall clearence

32 ford westscot body polished stainless firewall, rebuilding and older build. So I finally got around to putting in the distributor this morning. Had to remove the oil sending unit because it sits on a spacer to clear the dual carb manifold. No big deal just a new spacer that mounts the sending unit at 45* clearing the distributor. Everything just fits the MSD ready to run slipped right into place. We put the cap on and only have a quarter inch clearance the spark plug boot hits the firewall.

My question, the original SBC was using solid motor mounts. I used rubber motor mounts.
Are solid motor mount lower? would rubber motor mounts change the position of the motor? I only need about 1/2 for a little more clearance. Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

How the engine angle, and do you have clearance from the BH area to raise the transmission up? Spacer under the transmission mount would be the same as lowering the engine.

Not a direct answer to your question, because I don’t know, just an alternative possible solution.

 

The plug boots rub on the firewall on my car, I can rotate the cap to time it. With the boots on and you can rotate the distributor I say your good.

 

You know what I think we mounted the transmission mount from the bottom bolting up to the mount. I might be able to put it on top of the mount and bolt it down to the trans mount. I might tilt to motor forward giving me the clearance! Thank you very much.

 

I ran mine with a 350 sbc hei distributor for years with a rubbing boot. No issues

 

Good deal. Nice looking setup you have there!

 

I was going to suggest you dimple the firewall until I saw your setup. Very nice!

 

It could just be your pic but your dissy looks like it’s leant back in relation to the engine.

 

I’m going to change the position of the trans mount I think it will level out a bit giving me the clearance needed. The cap wasn’t locked down in that picture just siting on top of the distributor maybe why it looks off.

 

Been doing it for years. 1/4 inch no problem. I've done as suggested above several times depending on trans hump clearance. Amazing what a 1/4 inch shim under the trans mount will do.

 

Thank you!

 

It’s a Pete and Jake’s frame. The transmission is mounted to a plate that bolts to the frame. We bolted it up from the bottom up to the frame. I’m going to flip mount so it’s getting bolted down to the frame which should give me the space I need. Thanks for the suggestion!

 

You can also consider making the bolt holes for both mounts oval so you can adjust the whole thing forward a 1/4 inch. While a cap rubbing may work fine, not all "rubbing" will be the same from build to build. When torq is applied in heavy doses, the cap could get cracked and leave you stranded. I'd shoot for some minimum amount of clearance.

 

once I flip the trans mount I should be good.

 

Hey wicked, before you ‘flip’ the crossmember to the top of the frame mounts you may want to just check your angles and consider what raising the trans rear up 3/4” will do. No doubt that will give you the firewall clearance, but keeping your drive line angles ‘semi-correct’ is important too. That and putting the trans crossmember mount on top of the frame mounts might add some new challenges.
I’ve gone through this a few times and suggest you start with a 1/4” spacer (floor jack the trans up and slide anything a 1/4” thick in and see what it does). Then something 3/8”, etc, etc. jumping straight to a 3/4” rise might be a bit much and you’ll just end up going backwards (like I do, hahaha).
Just food for thought and trying to save you some time.

 

Thank you, great suggestion, if I remember correctly it was mounted on top when I took it all apart. I may fix any angles that may be off. The original builder of the car drove it every without issue. He has passed on and I was lucky enough to by a well built car, he had it all sorted. I have a degree wheel can check all once it shimmed / moved to ensure it’s correct.

 

I have nothing constructive that hasn't already been covered but thought it appropriate to point out that you have a Wescott body (like mine).
RIP Dee Wescott.

 

That is so cool.

 

Before we put the motor in.

 

your car is a beauty. the boot touches the firewall on my 57 chevy. no problem

 

Thank you!

 

yes there is different height sbc solid mounts ,,, all so there is 3 different height rubber sbc motor mount ,
Between 60 ish somting-70 ,
MSD makes a smaller diameter distributor than the one shown

 

Energy suspension offers two different height GM trans mounts.

 

Something to think about. If the engine pivots down by lowering the front motor mount, you gain distance from the firewall, but if the engine pivots up by raising the transmission, the bottom of the distributor cap comes closer to the firewall. Isn't that distributor cap wider at the bottom than the top?

 

The engine will be titled forward if I shim Tran mount moving the distributor forward a bit away from the fire wall. All I want is a .25 or .50” of clearance and I’ll be good. The MSD image on the bottom is exactly what I have a ready to run. It just has a black cap.

 

I’m pretty sure I have the smallest ready to run MSD distributor available. I’ll have to double check, super expensive and not made in the US which kinda pissed me off. Once I change the trans mount I should be good.

 

I just wanted to thank everyone for their suggestions. I’m happy to report flipping the trans mount plate from the bottom to the top of mount gave the distributor the clearance needed to clear the fire wall. The hot rod community is truly the best. Thanks Again to all.

 

Enough so when you jump on it the cap doesn’t hit the firewall and brake the rotor.

 

Motor is not going to jump backwards a half inch if it does we put it together wrong. Brake rotor? Not sure I understand what you mean.