Hello, I am installing a SBC in a 35 dodge coupe, with the motor mocked up and the harmonic balancer lined up in center of front crossmember(front to back) I have the option of moving motor forward 2" or 3" my question is will car handle better with more or less weight on front wheels ? Thanks, Michael
It will already be nose heavy, so I'd leave it as far back as practical. Make sure you can pull the distributor out with the engine in it's final location.
Put the fan on it and the radiator in... then make the motor clear the radiator!! 2-3" won't make a lick of difference in whether it's front heavy or not!
I don't understand....why is the balancer front to back location relative to the front crossmember of any importance? This is what is called a "red herring"...a misleading detail. Locate the engine as far to the rear as possible, taking into consideration the clearance to the firewall, distributor (rear mounted) and other items.
depends on the definition of "a lick"..........if two to three inches won't make a difference then it follows that ten inches or a foot and a half won't either....but we all know that isn't so. Sort of like the temperature outside....difficult to discern a change of one degree, but 5 five degrees or ten degrees.....sure you can tell. So, one degree must make a difference too. Makes sense to go in the direction of improved results, even if small. Ray
I was trying very hard to say just that, but I couldn't put it as clear as you did with twice as many words. Nice job.
make sure you have the valve covers on when positioning the motor. I had to redo mine because the covers hit on the right side.
You claim 4" of clearance ... is this with the waterpump and fan you intend to run installed on the engine or is that 4" of clearance FOR the waterpump and fan? (sounds like a silly question but not seeing any pics makes me wonder). Keep in mind there are (typically) two lengths of SBC waterpumps. I started out with a short pump and later switched to a long pump ... hated the short pump alt bracket (it created some belt issues) and I wanted to make it easier to add PS and air using factory brackets so I switched to the long pump. Just something to think about.
the reason for giving balancer location was so there would be a reference point as to were motor is setting pertaining to the question about more or less weght on front axle in relation to ride also I didn't Claim I had 4 inchs I measured it with pump and fan on motor
I bet you do have tons of room front to back in a '35 Dodge coupe. My preference has always been to mount as far back as I can while leaving clearance for all components. I like to distribute the weight over all wheels as much as possible.
Robber you are correct tons of room also for you other guys saying a couple of inchs won't make a difference Go ask your wifes and girlfriends
It would handle better if the motar was behind the front wheel. It has something to do with weight dist. Thats all I know hope I helped you some.
Ha ! Another red herring, enough with the distracting details already! Lmao Merry Christmas my friend
Michael, a car's weight distribution is determined by how much weight is on each tire. And, importantly these weights change due to load transfer ie cornering or clutch dumps. You can control the front/rear ratio by the location of your motor and thus affect the performance of your car...IMO a few inches front to back in the location of your motor can be significant. There is an entire career relating to ch***is engineering and suspensions. So depending on your level of seriousness (aka pocket book) know what your car's intention is and get some books on the topic then proceed.
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