swaluda1 Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 I got me a engine upgrade project going right now. Waiting on store bought custom motor and trans mounts off set an inch to clear the steering box. I figure to get the front pulley as close to the older 6 cyc mount as possible (with out hitting it) Am I on the right track here. Thanks for any input, Stan ( Frame is already off) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 when installing a engine the lower crank pulley must be placed with enough clearance to make belt changing possible without having to loosen engine mounts and jacking it up for clearance..do not overlook the fact that with a tad of nip and tick and welding the forward cross member can be altered enough to make all this easier.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Might help to know what engine you are installing? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swaluda1 Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 Yeah Don, Its a small 318, shoulda mentioned it. So it looks like if I keep it back enough to change a belt I should be good to go? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 pulley position in relation to his front cross member is not engine make size of model specific..it is clearance specific with preventive/routine maintenance as an accepted inconvenience..the only reason I made a reply, the man said he was going to position as close to as can without hitting, that told me he had not considered future work related issues and would be really coming up short in the long run..you have to consider a lot of related issue dropping in a engine not designed by OEM to be there.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 swaluda1, on 05 Oct 2014 - 10:40 AM, said:Yeah Don, Its a small 318, shoulda mentioned it. So it looks like if I keep it back enough to change a belt I should be good to go? the LA 318 can have the lower pulley altered if you do not intend to run the accessories like PS, AC that dictate the multi grooved crank pulley..that can also assist in clearance issues..also in placing your block for mock up of mount location..do not forget to place the distributor in position so to allow for clearance issues here also... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
swaluda1 Posted October 5, 2014 Author Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 OK, It looks like if I fiqure some where down the road I may have to change water pump or pulley or something else in front that requires room for working with tools, etc and if I give myself enough working space I should get away with it, even if I have to work the firewall a little? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Plymouthy Adams Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 the 50 Plymouth has a larger engine bay and will make the setup a lot easier than the earlier pointed deisgn of the tapered nose...there is not a need to massage the firewall....and the distributor would not be a problem as the firewall is already built it seems for that in mind though we know it was not..you also have enough floor pan tunnel clearance to offset without an issue also...use of truck manifolds on each side will greatly aid in exhaust issues and allow for easy starter removal in the future..use of the later compact starter is also a step in the right direction for access and such...and remember..if you can place the small bock in..so can you fit the big block..in some aspects the smaller is bigger than the big block..big block in RB is only a tad wider with the manifolds being your prime concern..in the earlier car this is an issue more so than the 49 up...with all that said do massage your inner fenders to fit the new install..cooling issues are at stake as are road contaminant and drowning...noting say half-arse like looking into an engine bay and seeing all the short cut taken and look of unfinished work... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted October 5, 2014 Report Share Posted October 5, 2014 If you need to alter the front cross member for pulley clearance you can use a half pipe as pictured below. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.