Engine Installed Height - Crankshaft C/L

[Endangered Species]

Question....
While I'm out of commission, I am going to change how the motor sets in the car. (1965 Coronet Hemi)

I built new Elephant Ears and mid plate... So now I am trying to figure out how high I should have the motor setting in the chassis. Right now I have it about 2" higher then the old motor sat. (The old motor sat too low)

My thought process (along with talking to Bob George) is the higher the better... but how high is too high.
Right now with my intake plenum spacers in the hood lays on the carb bowls.

I could take the spacers out but it's worth about 8hp.

I can make this work the way the motor sets in the car, BUT would having the motor setting higher make the care ill handling at high speeds?

Is there a preferred measurement for the crankshaft center line? I looked in the Mopar Chassis Book but didn't find anything.

Any thoughts?

Thanks!

 

[NOSTRT980]

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/engine-and-trans-installation-level-best/
not sure if this is what your looking for

 

[dvw]

Mines up 3/4" from stock. This tilts the crank down at the rear 1.5 degrees.. Nothing that can't be dealt with though. However my front carb air horn is level with the hood. Knowing what I know now, it would be lower. Carb clearance to the scoop is worth more. Both I and Russ have tested air entrances that should work, but dont. To close to the hood. My hood is at the legal max 5".
Doug

 

[Endangered Species]

Thanks NOSTRT980, There is some really good information in that article.

The only thing it didn't seem to get into was mounting height. The Ma Mopar Chassis book didn't seem to get into the height either.


Thanks Doug,

That's something I need to keep in mind.... That's why I'm asking, to make sure I'm addressing all forces at work. I'll see how far I can lower the motor.

I have to watch because of the valve covers. If the motor set's too low I won't be able to get the passenger side valve cover off. (the A990's had the inverted shock tower.) not to mention I like the idea of more oil pan clearance.

Thanks again!

 

[dvw]

Exactly why mine is up, clearance is best there. However if it was in the build stage It could've been lowered, different hole location in the pan. Header tube reroute, etc. To be honest I'd put it where it fits best. You seen mine leave. It's 320lbs nose heavy. A little C/G change won't effect it much.
Doug

 

[Endangered Species]

Thanks Doug.

To gain Scoop clearance I'll lower it as much as I can and still retain V/C and Oil Pan clearance.

 

[Budnicks]

not sure how much this will help either, but it's a good read
here's another good Hot Rod article
(ran across it after reading the article above, research)
it gets a bit technical, real wordy for it's short length
but about 1/2 way down
they talk about center of gravity & cg height, affects/effects
a few of the books & how to's etc.

http://www.hotrod.com/articles/chassis-tuning-tire-traction/

Dave Morgan's, How to build a
"drag racing chassis" book/dvd is pretty good too

Chassis Engineering book by Herb Adams

the old AA/FA & AFX cars use to run
extreme angles on how high the engines were
they found out "the higher it is"
the more traction/weight can be forced to the rear axle
much easier, at a price
but it made for a really ill handling car too
higher center of gravity "engine up" when it got moving
especially side to side, it was a shitload harder to overcome
"the whip action" back & forth body roll forces...

they rolled a few as the consequences...

from what it sounds like you're doing an inch or two or so
up won't have much or huge effect, it will affect center of gravity
{could affect the handling)
but unless it's going back towards the rear wheels, in a straight line
actually affecting front to rear bias, won't have a real extreme effect
in drag racing
the up & down in the constraints of an under hood B-Body engine bay
won't have much effect, other than discussed,
exhaust, valve-cover or hood/carb/inj/scoop,
also not mentioned the trans tunnel clearances
sfi trans-blanket or shield etc.
or brake master cylinder
&/or steering & linkages too
or the lack of them clearances etc.

good luck

 

[Fran Blacker]

This came off tti website for 62 to 65 cars engine location in the "How to". Don't know if this helps.

 

[Endangered Species]

That's really good information Budnicks and Fran.

Bud you confirmed what I was thinking. And Fran you gave me the measurements I was looking for.

I'm ended up a little higher than stock but by maybe 1/2 inch I would say.... based off the stock motor mount.
The trans cross member bolts up perfectly.

What ended up happing is the motor was originally installed lower than stock, by about 1/2 of in inch. so I ended up raising the motor an inch total from where it was.

I am going to check the crack C/L to the frame Rails to see of I have it in Square.

I took a 5' long section of Schedule 40 pipe and stuck it in the tail shaft and then slid it to the rear end. It hits the Yoke dead center.

Thanks you all for your input, you've been a big help!

Kevin