SBC in Model A-Engine too low in chassis?

so heres a pic of my model A truck build. Model A ch***is, 265 SBC, Hurst front mount, Tardel style frame mounts level with top of frame rail, rubber bisquits, 39 style trans converted to open drive, F1 trans crossmember, ford trans mount. the engine seems too low in the ch***is to me. the fan surely wont pull much air through the radiator. anyone else that runs a similar setup have this issue or is this just where they sit with this arrangement? sorry for the big pic.

 

I dont want to sound like a smart *** but if it's too low..... Raise it.

The only drawback to raising the motor is the loss of cabin space.


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That's why guys run the raised Zips waterpumps. Seems to be a normal issue. How close to the ground is your pan at ride height? Also, looks like you can move the engine forward to gain some foot room. Stick the radiator in it and check the fan to rad clearance.

 

Looks too low to me. When I look at a hot rod and see the oil pan hanging out the bottom it seems obscene to me. Kinda like one 'o them Scotsman guys wearing a too short kilt.

 

Looks close to me. Either a Zips are an electric fan.

 

I would try for something more like this. Not sbc but you get the idea. Have a great day Gary

 

Raise it up an inch or two and it looks a bit nicer. The fan centers the radiaitor better too. By the way, I know you just in mock up, but did you know your mounts are ***embled wrong? The small rubber piece should be on the underside of the mount.

 

It has to be higher for the fan and the look, why not raising it just a bit, just 2 inches, you will have a little bump in the floor but it will look a lot nicer and the fan will work better that way. I found a picture, it's mount on deuce rails but similar setup.

 

Another thought... Most guys don't know that Hurst made a coulpe of different Chevy front mounts like that. There is one that has the mounts ears aproximately two inches lower. That would raise it up. Unfortunately, they are not as common as the one you have.

 

thanks fellas, i thought it was too low and really hated the look. i will try to find the right mount for the front. i dont mind if there is a floor hump, i just want the fan to be in the correct position and the look is right.

 

You need to put the radiator in place and work backwards.. Have the water pump and fan on the motor and sit it in the ch***is with the fan centered in the radiator.. I use a stock 50's, 60's 4 blade 17" fan centered in radiator, short pump, about 1"-1 1/2" back from radiator.....

 

If your oil pan has enough clearance, a blower will fill the top space nicely.... Problem solved.

 

i have all the parts you referenced. they were all installed. this pic was taken when i was tearing it all down because i didnt like how low the engine was in the frame. i meant to take a pic before dis-***embly.

 

anyone have a pic of this mount so i know what im lookin for?

 

So just raise the motor until the fan is centered and than make new mounts.....

 

i think i'd rather find the right hurst mount than have a 2-3 inch mount coming up from the frame. i think that would just look bad.

 

It doesn't matter what Hurst mount you get, it mounts to the engine, not the frame.. Make or buy frame mounts to set the engine at the height you want.......

 

I think I remember a thread about Hurst mounts here on the H.A.M.B. that showed a catalog page with pictures. You'll see it then. I gave up finding one and built one out of 1/4" 6061 aluminum years ago, but since have seen several of them at swaps. It looks just like the "regular" Hurst mount, but the ears are right at 1 1/2" to 2" lower. I can't remember how Hurst termed it, but I think it had something to do with corvettes in their cataloge.

 

anyone know about the Hurst post mentioned above? maybe a scan of the catalog?

 

used hurst mount on my A didn't come out too low
is right at 24'' crankshaft centerline just what the rule book said backintheday''lol''??????

 

24" from what?

 

On my old '29 I made the crank center line in the stock "banger" crank CL location ,just above the front crossmember. I had to use a electric fan wich I hated but I had a flat floor and toe board and just had to lightly notch the firewall wich was more important as I was running a full hood. It is all about compramise...

 

Here found a couple pics, hope this helps...

 

That 24" is crank center to ground and not gonna help you in relation to the frame at this point

 

I'd just make sure the oil pan / bellhousing / flywheel, etc. have enough clearance at ride height, as best you can. The lowest part of my truck's ch***is are the front axle's lower 4-bar mts, where they mount to the frame brackets (which are in turn a tad lower than the bellhousing). Being a worry-wort, I put some cut-down wheelie bar wheels on the inside of each of those bar mounts (most folks don't notice them). Guess what? I've "used" them three times already on drive ways and such. Probably saving the bellhousing / flywheel / ****** sump. You can see them in this photo at the very top of the image. PS: I've already been warned of the sketchy lift blocks. I haven't had to do that lash-up lately.
You can get it too low. Later, Gary

 

this is pretty much ride height. not worried about pan hitting. just the look of engine being to low in relation to top of cowl/grill shell. thanks for the pics but my 265 is a 1955, no side mounts.

 

Yeah, I know they wont help any in mounting but I was trying to find a side profile pic to see engine in realation to frame but the truck is gone and that is the best I have now. Looks like a nice project, I love early chevy V8's. Keep us posted.

 

Here is mine, I used the SoCal SBC mounts as the engine hight template before welding in the biscuit style motor mounts. Fan is at a level that cooling should not be a issue and the oil pan is up enough for clearance.

 

Snow white ltd has a kit that raises the waterpump about 3 1/2inches to put the blade in the center of the rad

 

using the hurst mt with the rad in stock mts the hand crank hole in the rad shell lined up with the crank center line.....
looks good with tunnel ram.........
1967 photo engine with stock chevy type intake..............