engine installation

Here is a shot of my engine sitting between the frame rails. I'm getting ready to level the frame and weld that sucka' in there.

I'm looking for affirmation more than asking a question, being that it is some what important that the engine and rearend line up etc.

Here's what I have so far:
I set the pinion up at 2.5 degrees pointing up, I plan to set the engine pointing down at 2.5 degrees. All of this is done with my rear cross member level.

This is based on info that I have gathered from various places.(mostly from doing HAMB searches).

Am I going in the right direction? (I hope so, because I don't want to set up my rearend again)

Any and all info, tips, pointers, etc. are appreciated.

Woody

 

If your frame mocked up at "ride height". If you run big and little's, the frame will have a rake that needs to be taken into consideration. Not sure if the frame is set level or at ride height in photo. The frame rake comes out 3-5 degrees on the ones I have built.

 

Correct me If I'm wrong(of course I may very well be, that is why I'm here), but the relation between the trans output and the pinion yolk will not change regardless of wheather the car has a rake or not.

Of course there will be some amount of deviation in the rear due to the suspension travel. I'm running ladder bars that can be adjusted in order to limit "spring bind" once the car sitting is at ride height.

 

I typically try to run the pinion on the rear end and the output of the trans parallel to each other. Which is pretty much how you have started setting it up. Thats if running a 4 link (or some sort of link setup that does not allow axle twist) If running parallel leaves in the rear, you want to point the pinion down slightly so that when torque is applied the axle will twist and the pinion will be correct while in motion (when it really matters). The frame rake will affect the angle you mount the engine though (carburetor mounting surface level is the best I believe), so it can affect the relationship between the axle and trans. Hope this helps a little. This is just basic stuff that has worked for me, if anything on here is incorrect,or if there is anything that I could expand my knowledge on, please feel free to let me know.

 

Oh yeah, and obviously you arent running parallel leaves in that car. I just threw that in there for reference.

 

Hey, thanks for the affirmation. I will do some mock up at ride height before I get every thing fully welded.

 

Having the engine/tranny centerline parallel to the rearend pinion centerline is just part of the equation. You must take the height difference into consideration also. Depending on the length of your driveshaft, you don't want less than one degree or more than three degrees in your U-joints at static ride height.

There's a site that explains all this.

http://jniolon.clubfte.com/drivelinephasing/drivelinephasing.html

 

Hey JohnnyFast, thanks for that info. I figured there had to be some other info out there that I could use!! Much appreciated from an FNG!