Lining up the drive train ?

FUNFER2 · #1 (**permalink**) 07-08-2021, 08:04 PM

I'm changing engines from a 428FE to a Ford 460. How do I figure engine placement and engine mounts ? Then line up the engine to the transmission then to the rear end ?

All I can think of is once I have the engine placement set, place a laser on the center rear of the block, the aim it to the center of the rear end yoke.

MAStuart · #2 (**permalink**) 07-09-2021, 09:04 AM

The center line thru the crank and trans shaft need to be parallel with the pinion shaft. They need to be parallel within the working angle of the u joint. If everything is in a straight line the u joint will fail because the bearing in it will not rotate. It will then hammer the bearing out of the u joint. If the pinion angle can change because of anything other than a solid mounted rearend it should also have a small amount of down pinion angle. This is how they can offset the engine to one side or the other. Also the pinion is quite often not centered in the car or truck. Lots of diagrams on the net.

FUNFER2 · #3 (**permalink**) 07-09-2021, 09:19 AM

Wow, you'd think it should a perfect line to lesson vibration and keeping in sync
with each other.,

DonB · #4 (**permalink**) 07-10-2021, 05:50 PM

Does it matter if dif is higher than trans? My engine drop is 3° down and my dif is 3° up but dif is higher than output shaft of trans.

Tom Wells · #5 (**permalink**) 07-11-2021, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonB

Does it matter if dif is higher than trans? My engine drop is 3° down and my dif is 3° up but dif is higher than output shaft of trans.

Don,

Doesn't matter.

As long as the centerline of the pinion gear and the centerline of the crankshaft/trans assembly are parallel, the car will be fine.

The direction of the offset isn't a factor. Up or down, left or right - take your pick.

Tom

MAStuart · #6 (**permalink**) 07-11-2021, 10:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DonB

Does it matter if dif is higher than trans? My engine drop is 3° down and my dif is 3° up but dif is higher than output shaft of trans.

Wont matter unless the pinion climbs ring gear. In that case it will get more up pinion angle. If it gets too severe it will brake the rear u joint. Under acceleration you will start to feel it binding. I dont know what type of rear setup have but if there is rubber mounts or bushings or parallel leaf springs you would be better off with the pinion set at 0 degrees.

FUNFER2 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-12-2021, 07:22 AM

So, lets start with the engine placement.

How do I find out where the engine is placed front to back & left to right ?
I would ask the new owner of my replica company, but he's an idiot and there's
virtually no.owners on their forum to talk to, and I don't know why other than the owner.

MAStuart · #8 (**permalink**) 07-12-2021, 11:04 AM

What trans is in it now? If its a stick are you going to reuse the tranny? If so you will need a different bellhousing. You will then mount the trans in the same position it is now. You will then align the engine straight in the chassis as it is now even if its offset to one side or the other. Then the mount for the engine can be made to duplicate the engine trans angel you have now. If its an auto you will be changing that too. But say for instance you were using a c 6 on the Fe and you are going to use a c6 on your new motor it s going to take a different trans. But if its the same length tailhousing and mount location you will mount it in the same location as the old one. You should be able to use your old drive shaft in both cases. In both cases above you will align the engine the same way.

FUNFER2 · #9 (**permalink**) 07-12-2021, 11:21 AM

Oh no, always a stick (Tremec TKO 600) unless mine is a Super Snake. lol Yep, I need a new bell and maybe a fork ?

eschaider · #10 (**permalink**) 07-12-2021, 06:08 PM

Engine placement fore and aft is easy. You need the location that allows your headers to exit the fenders through the original cutouts in each front fender.

Left and right is equally easy. The headers need to be equidistant from the rocker panel on each side.

Driveline angle, as has been said by everyone already, needs to have the pinion and transmission output shafts parallel but not coincident.

Here is the graphical story;

Engines with carburetors historically had a 3˚ tilt down going towards the rear of the car. That means your pinion needs a 3˚ tilt upward.

Easy, peasy ...

Ed

FUNFER2 · #11 (**permalink**) 07-12-2021, 06:22 PM

I have a guy that will make custom 304 stainless steel headers matching my headers. I made my own sidepipes years ago, but he's better at the headers. Thank you for the graph.