« previous next »
Pages: [1]   Go Down

Author Topic: Initial engine install:  (Read 3764 times)

Offline DNCMOTORS

  • Newbie
  • *
  • Posts: 6
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: NONE
  • Your Engine: 540 BBC
  • Your Track: BREMERTON RACEWAY/ SEATTLE INTERNATIONAL RACEWAY
  • Your Vehicle: 200" FED
  • General Location: WEST COAST
Initial engine install:
« on: January 08, 2022, 11:36:39 AM »
I'm installing the engine for the first time in a new 200"frame.  The motor is hanging and the rear of the engine is snugged up to the rear motor plate.  I'm fabricating the front motor supports to rest on the frame.  My question is should I have zero flex on the frame from the engine weight, or do I want some pre flex?  The motor is hanging level in the car as it sits on the tires.  Is this where I need to get my measurements for the front supports of the motor?
Thanks   
Logged

Offline Supercat

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 252
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 6.16 @ 218 1/4
  • Your Track: Bakersfield to Bowling Green to New England dragway
  • Your Vehicle: Buick powered/ 200" Fastech FED
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #1 on: January 08, 2022, 01:32:12 PM »
I did not preload my frame. Set engine to motor plate and made sure there was no distortion on the motor plate. Think balanced here. Measure for front mounts and tack together.  Before final finish on front mounts set trans in place with complete driveline in place to make sure of alignment.
Hope this helps
Logged

Offline THE FRENCHTOWN FLYER

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 360
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 8.28@168 door; 9.00@147 6-cyl alt; 8.53@160 RED
  • Your Engine: 300 Ford six NA w/ crossflow and prod. heads
  • Your Track: Milan, Thompson
  • Your Vehicle: (3) Advanced Chassis altered , The Last Logghe altered, '30 RPU
  • General Location: North Coast
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #2 on: January 08, 2022, 06:49:37 PM »
I never ran a rail, but my gut feeling is most of the chassis flex will be ahead of the front motor plate. Not much will be at the engine bay.
Having said that, it is still best to mount the front plate on saddles with clamps. "Not much" bend is still not zero, and twisting of the chassis due to the engine torque will put some stress in the block if the front mounts are not "saddled up".
Some builders use a bolted engine mount in double shear taps on the left side where torque tends to pull the plate up and a saddle on the right side where torque tends to push the saddle mount down on the frame rail.
Logged

Offline fuel749

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 159
    • View Profile
    • Dragster Supply
  • Your Track: New England Dragway
  • Your Vehicle: FED/Altered
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #3 on: January 08, 2022, 07:57:45 PM »
When I build a car the weight of the block is supported by the alignment bar and the bar is supported by the jig so naturally this  leaves no preload on the chassis.  As mentioned, if you're not using an alignment bar you'll probably come out way ahead to get all your driveline parts in place and make sure the coupler slides free through the whole process. 
Logged

Offline JEFF/21C

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 122
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: N/A
  • Your Engine: 306 SBC INJECTED ALKY
  • Your Track: NONE
  • Your Vehicle: 23 T ALTERED
  • General Location: eastern canada
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #4 on: January 09, 2022, 09:31:54 AM »
on the feds sbc with long glide  with a alignment bar set the motor then added saddle mounts on the top rail that had a tab welded to it and a grade 8 5/16" thru bolt then added a trans mount with insulator  never  broke a stock case even when doing a wheel stand high enough drag the rear of the frame (no wheelie bars) flattened both front rims.
Logged

Offline lake_harley

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 262
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 7.06 @99.58 - 1/8 mi.
  • Your Engine: Carbureted, gas mild 305 Chevy
  • Your Track: Jeffers Motorsports Park - Sikeston, MO
  • Your Vehicle: 145" FED
  • General Location: SE Missouri
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #5 on: January 09, 2022, 07:32:53 PM »
You mentioned a trans mount and I had wondered about the need for one. I'll be well under 300HP and wondered if just the front mounts and mid plate are all that are needed with a SBC and a stock length (28-ish inch) Powerglide, or if installing a mount at the tailshaft was common or necessary. I'll be using a short (not a collapsible?) coupler.

Lynn
Logged

Offline JEFF/21C

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 122
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: N/A
  • Your Engine: 306 SBC INJECTED ALKY
  • Your Track: NONE
  • Your Vehicle: 23 T ALTERED
  • General Location: eastern canada
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #6 on: January 09, 2022, 08:59:59 PM »
I use a mount, alot of people don't, I even use one on my altered with a shortie because of the driveshaft. at first a mount wasn't used and the bellhousing cracked we are talking about stock cases and I don't like transmissions hanging from the bellhousing
Logged

Offline tcoupekyle

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 354
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 4.70 1/8
  • Your Track: Houston Motorsport park
  • Your Vehicle: 225" slip joint FED
  • General Location: Houston
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #7 on: January 10, 2022, 12:30:32 PM »
I have a normal tail glide and use the mount on the tail shaft but it is mounted straight to the chassis no isolator
Logged

Offline lake_harley

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 262
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 7.06 @99.58 - 1/8 mi.
  • Your Engine: Carbureted, gas mild 305 Chevy
  • Your Track: Jeffers Motorsports Park - Sikeston, MO
  • Your Vehicle: 145" FED
  • General Location: SE Missouri
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #8 on: January 10, 2022, 05:01:41 PM »
tcoupekyle.....I guess the transmission and engine were installed and direct coupled to the pinion and then the mount was built to "meet" the mount boss on the tailshaft housing? Since the engine and transmission are solid monnted to the chassis through the midplate and front engine mounts, that would make sense to me.

I'm not disagreeing with anyone, believe me, I'm here to learn, but must say I'm surprised that tailshaft mounts are used in a close-coupled FED. I would have expected the coupler would be tasked with keeping alignment and minimizing the potential of distortion along with transferring torque.

Lynn
« Last Edit: January 10, 2022, 05:03:30 PM by lake_harley »
Logged

Offline JEFF/21C

  • Full Member
  • ***
  • Posts: 122
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: N/A
  • Your Engine: 306 SBC INJECTED ALKY
  • Your Track: NONE
  • Your Vehicle: 23 T ALTERED
  • General Location: eastern canada
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #9 on: January 11, 2022, 01:22:43 PM »
I USED U-JOINT AND A SLIP YOKE , IT WAS JUST TO MAKE SURE THAT EVERYTHING WAS FREE
Logged

Offline lake_harley

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 262
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 7.06 @99.58 - 1/8 mi.
  • Your Engine: Carbureted, gas mild 305 Chevy
  • Your Track: Jeffers Motorsports Park - Sikeston, MO
  • Your Vehicle: 145" FED
  • General Location: SE Missouri
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #10 on: January 14, 2022, 10:37:24 AM »
This isn't related to this topic, so please forgive me, but did I click on something by mistake that keeps the list of "unread posts since last visit" from showing that can be clicked on to see if I missed anything without looking through the whole forum? It used to be just under the Forum name in the upper left corner of the page. Sorry for being off topic!

Lynn
Logged

Offline Supercat

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 252
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 6.16 @ 218 1/4
  • Your Track: Bakersfield to Bowling Green to New England dragway
  • Your Vehicle: Buick powered/ 200" Fastech FED
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #11 on: January 14, 2022, 02:22:33 PM »
Not sure Lynn. The board has been quiet the last few days...
Logged

Offline tcoupekyle

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 354
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 4.70 1/8
  • Your Track: Houston Motorsport park
  • Your Vehicle: 225" slip joint FED
  • General Location: Houston
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #12 on: January 14, 2022, 07:42:42 PM »
I'm not sure on that either
Logged

Offline Rat

  • Jr. Member
  • **
  • Posts: 65
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 8.585 @ 154.55
  • Your Engine: Stack Injected All Iron 392 Chrysler Hemi
  • Your Track: Willowbank Raceway, Queensland, Australia
  • Your Vehicle: Colthup Bros FED
  • General Location: Australia - East Coast
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #13 on: January 14, 2022, 10:11:00 PM »
Still showing on my screen just under your user name. how's your build progressing Lynn  8)
Logged

Offline lake_harley

  • Sr. Member
  • ****
  • Posts: 262
    • View Profile
  • Your Best Time: 7.06 @99.58 - 1/8 mi.
  • Your Engine: Carbureted, gas mild 305 Chevy
  • Your Track: Jeffers Motorsports Park - Sikeston, MO
  • Your Vehicle: 145" FED
  • General Location: SE Missouri
Re: Initial engine install:
« Reply #14 on: January 15, 2022, 06:09:01 AM »
I just got the "unread posts" thingie back by clicking the arrow at the upper right hand corner of the home page. I guess I clicked it by accident, or....maybe my wife is reading the forum on my computer and did it? LOL

BTW....I'm going to try to resize and post a photo or two of my current progress on my "FED Build" thread.

Thanks

Lynn
Logged
Pages: [1]   Go Up
« previous next »