Engine fitment issues: Please help

[Tagg33]

Hi guys, help me out. I need some opinions on what direction to go to fix this problem. After getting my firewall done and front suspension parts painted I put it together and found out the engine can't sit where it should. I did not test fit the engine with the new crossmember kit prior to paint. Unfortunately I assumed with a kit that everything would fit since it was made for this truck and this engine. When I first installed the engine it sat at 13 degrees because the top of the trans hits the tunnel. I made cuts in the tunnel to relieve it and got the engine to 7 degrees and now the front of the oil pan is resting on the rack and pinion. I'm trying to reach 6 degrees without anything rubbing.
Should I:
1. cut the oil pan to recess the area that touches and then deal with my trans tunnel to move that area up.
or
2. move the rack and pinion down an 1" by drilling new mounting holes (wouldn't this change the geometry of the suspension pivot points)

Any suggestions or opinions would be greatly appreciated. This snag has held me up too long and I would like to start correcting it this weekend. The engine is a 350 with TH400 trans if that helps.

[lolife99]

Have you talked to Nate about this?

[Tagg33]

I've tried, haven't gotten any answers. I just thought I would ask others what they would do.

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by Tagg33

I've tried, haven't gotten any answers. I just thought I would ask others what they would do.

Ryan-

How much room do you have at the bell housing to floor clearance?

You're gonna want to be between 5 and 6 on the output shaft. We can make some perches that are a little taller to help on the clearance at the rack, but we just need to know how much room you have at the floor. Let me know, or send me some pics and we can see what's the best method to get you where you need to be.

You CAN'T move the rack down, it will change the steering geometry

[lolife99]

Would a high hump floor pan out of a 73-87 4x4 help?
I had a buddy that just did this,... when he converted a 2wd cab so he could install it on a 4x4 chassis.
That way you could raise the engine and still have transmission room.

[Tagg33]

Originally Posted by lolife99

Would a high hump floor pan out of a 73-87 4x4 help?
I had a buddy that just did this,... when he converted a 2wd cab so he could install it on a 4x4 chassis.
That way you could raise the engine and still have transmission room.

I think it would help with trans clearance but my truck has a custom center console and I made cuts inside the console area to allow the trans to push the floor up as I was attempting to get the engine angle to 5 degrees. Thanks for the idea.
I will take some measurements and respond to Nate to see if he can help me.

[62 Bowtie]

Did a search this is close to the prob im having I've got room to move the trans up (high hump) however concerned about pinion ive got a 62 with 2-piece driveline most ive seen guys are shimming the carrier berring up should i shim down? same degrees as Tagg33 also running PB DM

[bdiamond]

Can you move the motor back? It looks like an inch or so would get the pan behind the rack.

[Tagg33]

On my truck moving the engine back was not a great option because the trans was touching the tunnel from about 1" behind the firewall to mid-cab. Moving the engine back would have only made that worse. I just cut the tunnel out and raised it, but as I said above it is all hidden under my center console. In order to get the correct angle I gently hammered in the front of my oil pan were it touched the steering rack. I also removed my steering rack and ground down the area that touched the oil pan. I now have 1/4" clearance between the two. I don't have a two piece drive shaft so someone else will have to help you with that question. I hope it all goes well and you find a solution quickly. :-)

[PBFAB.COM]

Originally Posted by 62 Bowtie

Did a search this is close to the prob im having I've got room to move the trans up (high hump) however concerned about pinion ive got a 62 with 2-piece driveline most ive seen guys are shimming the carrier berring up should i shim down? same degrees as Tagg33 also running PB DM

You want to keep the angle at the output shaft of the trans at 5*. There is also a little formula concerning the operating angles of the drive-line to eliminate vibrations. It's a lot easier to discuss in a conversation over the phone rather than type it all out.

Regarding the pan clearance, we have had a few that have experienced the same concern. Not sure where the discrepency lies, but you are not alone. Fortunately we can tailor a set of tabs that can help gain a little extra clearance at the pan/rack at no extra charge.

I sent you a PM. Shoot me back a good contact number and I will be in touch.

Nate

[62 Bowtie]

Thanks Nate pm sent