Looking for feedback I mocked up a wooden cradle for a 49 Buick straight 8 to be able to get measurements for frame height. To get carb level the engine is at a pretty large angle. Does this look correct? The intake is definitely molded at that same angle. Is this angle required for oil flow? Does this angle look correct? thanks in advance for your feedback.
It appears you are using the earlier front engine mount and the mounts 1947 up. I will consult my service manual.
Yes I have the later engine mounts may or may not use them once I get height requirements for frame. I set the level based on carb.
The carb should be fairly level after the install and oiling will not be affected by the angle as it has a floating pickup on the oil pump. Your angle in the picture looks about right. As Gimpy indicated, the angle was created to reduce the size of the transmission tunnel front opening for additional floorboard room and to have a fairly straight angle to the rear axle. Since you are converting to an open driveline, that is not as critical.
The later side engine mounts came into play to reduce the amount of "rocking" the engine did with the front mount. Depending on the car there could be steering box interference issues. Edit: The earlier engines used a 4-point mounting system- two mounts on the front cradle, and two mounts at the bellhousing. Since you are using an adapter and later transmission, the bell mounts are gone. I would use the later style side mounts because of this.
Just an observation. At the angle it's sitting at, the oil filter canister appears to be straight up and down. Kind of like that's another indication that you nailed the angle...
The angle occurred in 1938, I believe, when rear end type was changed. May have had to do with driveline angle. Engine will not care. Ben
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