Hey guys,
I have a question about my new drivetrain installation alignment in my '87 SS. I am swapping out the stock 305 for a 383 stroker. Small block for small block. When I first lowered it in it looked way out of alignment like the motor was crooked in the engine bay. I put in new engine mounts but not before I painted the cross member and put the new ones in the EXACT same spot to the paint outlines. So I took some measurements with a laser plumbob. I measured up at the center of the crank bolt, the tranny output shaft & the rear end yoke and put chaulk marks on the floor. I snapped a line from the crank to the rear end and the tranny is off 1/4" towards the drivers side. My question is: Is this close enough? Plus or minus 1/4"? The engine does "look" straight in the bay by eye now. I'm trying to not over think this too much but I also don't want to over look a potential problem either. This is my first drivetrain-ectomy. What say you? Thanks.

 

37 views. 0 comments?

 

The guys who can help will surely be around. Might take a day or two.

 

IMO the reason is that this forum has typically been almost entirely made up of 5th-7th gen members. While there are a lot of other monte forums, none have anywhere near the 5th-7th gen following that this one does so its continued to attract a strong following of those generations.

While older generations are certainly welcome, theyve always been a relatively small portion of our active member population. I will say I've seen a lot more 1-4th gen new member intro threads lately, but I'd still imagine they're a single digit % of our active members.

As the title isn't apparent what generation its about, people like me click on it to read but close without responding because I've never worked on a 4th gen or SBC in my life.


As whtmonte mentioned, someone will likely respond eventually, it just may take some time for one of the members experienced with that platform to log in and see it.

 

Just to add, you posted this thread today, it takes a little time.
I admit, I lack enough experience on engine swaps in general. We have a member, Jeff, who is one of guys full of a lot of car knowledge from various eras of mechanics. Hopefully he, or one of other members who are more familiar/experienced with your question chime in.

 

If it's within a 1/4 inch it should be fine. The new motor mounts might not be exactly the same as the original mounts. Even though you put everything back according to paint marks there's still a little play in the rubber mounts. As for the crossmember unless you put new rubber mounts on the bar ends at the frame I can promise there is a little slop side to side. Another thing to look at is the transmission mount itself. Being so many variations it might be the style with 3 holes and you could have possibly put it in the hole that was on either side ( I'm guilty of this myself). If the engine looks high on one side it could be as simple as the frame mount is upside down. Good luck.