Should my engine be central?

FatBoy · #1 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 04:23 AM

Hi,
I've just taken the hood scoop off my Kirkham in preparation for rubbing down the bodywork and I noticed that the air filter isn't central to the hole in the hood.
I wasn't sure whether the carb was positioned centrally on the engine, so I thought I'd check the bottom of the engine. I have a Canton oil pan and the gap between the chassis rails and the oil pan wings is different from one side to the other by about 3/4" (the drivers side gap is larger).
This also obviously effects the side-pipes. The drivers side-pipe runs close the the body, whereas the passenger side-pipe is some distance off. I had just put this down to tolerances in the pipe bending, but maybe it isn't.
The engine doesn't seem to want to sit anywhere other than where it is. Am I missing something?
Your thoughts would be appreciated.
Thanks,
Paul

kris-kincaid · #2 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 05:46 AM

The chassis was designed to offset the engine 1/2" towards the right side. Thats the way it's supposed to be.

FatBoy · #3 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 05:58 AM

Thanks Kris.

I was puzzled about how I was going to correct it if it was wrong, but I'm now reassured that all is as it should be.

Thanks again.

Paul

mickmate · #4 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 06:22 AM

It helps align transmission and pinion(the pinion is offset), gives a little more footroom on the pedal side and balances the car side to side with the one person who has a roll bar.

FatBoy · #5 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 08:45 AM

Having checked the measurements, it is exactly ½" off centre, so you were right on the button Kris.

Jim Werth · #6 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 09:05 AM

Wasn't it because of the sidewinder intake used on the big blocks? Carb doesn't sit in the middle of the engine. Jim

FatBoy · #7 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 09:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Werth

Wasn't it because of the sidewinder intake used on the big blocks? Carb doesn't sit in the middle of the engine. Jim

That had crossed my mind, which is why I also checked the bottom of the engine and found that the block was off-centre by the same amount as the carb.
Therefore, I'm happy with Kris and Mickmate's responses.

Paul

Tom Kirkham · #8 (**permalink**) 02-17-2009, 12:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim Werth

Wasn't it because of the sidewinder intake used on the big blocks? Carb doesn't sit in the middle of the engine. Jim

The small block cars are also offset. This was to reduce the angle on the drive shaft.

soulman · #9 (**permalink**) 02-24-2009, 07:22 PM

Bloody good question, i thought it was just my car #385 in Australia.

David Kirkham · #10 (**permalink**) 02-27-2009, 04:08 PM

The pinion on the differential is 1.000 inches offset to the right of the car. To keep the drive line angles reasonable, the engine is 1/2" offset to the right of the car. Of course, this makes for some very interesting issues when you are dealing with a right hand drive car!

The 1/2 inch offset is original.

David