When installing a small block Chevy engine in a Studebaker Hawk should I center the engine between the frame or install it off center like the Studebaker engine?
Whichever works out best. It often helps steering to exhaust clearance by having it offset. Just make sure it's parallel to the frame, same offset front and back.
I always offset the motor trans the sam amount as it was originally. You need to clear the steering box etc and line up with the rear axle. I try to keep the front of the engine assembly up about 4 to 6 degrees.
I moved the SBC in my Stude just a little to the passenger side for steering clearance, how much is a little?? I can't remember Maybe an inch. It did make the drive shaft a little closer to one side of the "hump" though. I added a flat plate to the bat wing and used long bolts for the rear trans mount, the front pulley is about an inch above the steering bell crank.
It usually works best all around if you center the crank where the original crank was centered side to side and top to bottom and keep the crank/trans maiinshaft on the same plane as the original within Reason. Within reason usually means that you have to level a 4 barrel intake carb mount pad and tilt the engine to the proper degree where the six may have been sitting level. My buddy did one, but he used a Camaro subframe under it so that one is no help at all. I don't have any photos of the engine install to boot.
Entirely up to the builder. As has been said, a bit (.75" to 1.25") to the passenger side is fine for steering clearance if you need it, but if you do that, keep the centerline...straight, front to rear. Don't put the engine in at an angle, front to rear. But the engine should be at about a 7° rear down, front up, like the OEM carburetor mounting pad. I built a 60 Lark some time back. The engine is on center in the frame, along with the crankshaft is parallel to the ground. Solid motor mounts, front and rear. Yes, more of a race build than a pure street build. Mike
OFF CENTER IS FINE AS THE DRIVER MAKES UP FOR THE WEIGHT DISTRIBUTION..YOU CAN ALSO MOVE THE BATTERY TO THE DRIVERS SIDE IF POSSIBLE...CORRECT . MOPARS HAD THEM OFFSET...JUST MAKE SURE TO PHASE THE ENGINE ANGLE TO MATCH THE REAR AXLE ANGLE...PICS APPRECIATED..
Off center is fine except to the excessively anal about having everything perfectly even and centered brigade. Several cars came that way from the factory and unless it is a real issue with you, you never notice that they are off center including most of those late 60's through 70's Mopars.
I haven't seen any with that much angle...usually 3 to 4 degrees. Setting the carb mounting pad (or the automatic transmission pan flange) parallel to the center of the frame is a good way to get the angle as designed.
Damn... this would have helped with the exhaust manifolds on my SBC installation into my car. That's the trouble with being an engineer... putting the engine exact on center.
I'm an engineer, I let the wonder of universal joints deal with the engine being off center...just like they deal with the changing relative height of the pinion yoke relative to the transmission.
Cause...that's what "leveled" the carburetor mounting pad..! Actually as I recall, it was more like 6-3/4°...but who's counting. Using a two place, digital level, and verifying the floors were level to start, (no carpeting !). Mike
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