help, engine placement

ok so this is my first major build, its a 42 ford with a custom tube frame. motor is a 327 ****** is a 700r. i have noticed that most hot rods have the motor hugging the firewall. i would like to know if i should move the motor back a few more inches. i dont know how critical this is. any imput would be awesome. thank you.

 

The further back (and as low as you can get it), the better the car will handle.

 

I would think you would have to have all your front motor parts mounted for mock up along with radiator. Long water pump, short? A/C? etc. than favor moving to rear. Set it up with an HEI that way any GM dizzy will fit.....................
Looking at pic's you are way to high and a couple 3 inches to far forward.........

 

What is a safe measurement to have the the oil and ****** pan from the ground. I will not be bagging the rear. And I will be running a fairly tall tire, not a low profile tire.

 

I like to have at least two finger widths of clearance between the back of the distributor cap and the firewall. That way when you change wires you can do it fairly easily.

 

Anything above the scrub line ............. in case you get a flat! Than add a couple inches.

 

ok, update. i moved the motor back three inches and down an inch and a half. how does this look? i made sure the distributor would come out if needed. does this look too low?????

 

Anyone? Too low?

 

In my opinion, it looks a little low. Are you running an electric fan?

 

Looks good to me. Hard to tell if you're above the scrub line.

 

ok so im going to be completly honest....i dont know what you mean by the scrub line. the bottom of the oil pan is about flush the bottom of the frame rail...which is 4 inches off the ground.

 

and my plan is to run elec fan....but that could change.

 

"scrub line", the line made by drawing a line from RH tire rim at lowest point and tire contact point on LH, and LH tire rim at lowest point to tire contact point on RH. No components of the car should be below the linesas they cross the car and intersect.
Also known as "life or death" line to those who have seen cars stopped at speed by highway slab joints or pot holes in the roads. When the frame rails or radius rod brackets or transmission bell housings or oilpans or steering links meet these obstructions all hell breaks loose.

 

it looks ok, i would raise it atleast a 1". How much room do you have to come up under your cab floor? Thats usually the height factor. also check that you have plenty of room for your exhaust, how ever or what ever. it looks like the engine needs to go forward if you want to run a outside of frame header. also try to figure where your steering shaft is going to go, sometimes moving the engine one way or another can help these things fit

 

4" off the ground now means nothing unless you know your "ride hight" .........

 

I guess I won't know ride height until I have the tires I want. I know I will be running a tall tire. I was also thinking about raising it an inch. I can take more pics and upload them tomorrow of the where the ****** sits as of now, and how low the motor sits as of now.