C5 LS-1 in a '72 Maverick
My project has finally progressed to the point of engine mounting. It was a day of tribulations for sure. After seeing how huge the engine bay looks with the shock towers gone you'd think it would just swallow an LS motor, but the engine & trans (200R4) had to be separated to get them in. Then I had to remove the CTSV pan and reinstall my spare truck pan for better clearance around the crossmember (which thankfully it doesn't hang too low for comfort). The trans fit without any hammering, but it was a "force" with the floor jack on the last little bit. The tunnel will need some minor hammering and an odd "ear" will need to be lopped off the case. The trans mount is about 8" rearward of the original (no problem there). The alternator sticks up above the fender line, but still clears the hood by 1/2". The hood will definitely need a hole cut for carb clearance.
A couple of points for opinion:
The engine sits at a 7° rear-down angle, is this too much?
Frame rails are 26 1/2" wide, any ideas on headers (will need to clear steering column)?
TIA!
Russ
http://carshop.carshopinc.com/produc..._id/86960/2350
You may want to hook the transmission up and see what type of ground clearance it will give before you settle for that much tilt.
I've see shorty headers for LS swaps into Datsun Z cars that might clear that steering shaft. the drivers' side comes back pretty far and really hugs the block. The passenger's side one has no hope of clearing the crossmember though.
http://www.jagsthatrun.com/Pages/Par...1-Headers.html
the first source said the trans and the diff should equal zero (say down 3 on the trans and up 3 on the diff). dut the other source i read said that the angle you measure is from the drive shaft to the appropriate end angle(eg the rans or the diff).
so do you measure the angle form the shaft to the trans or the trans to the vehicle level?
Russ
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I got the tail of the tranny up an inch after cutting the tunnel, reduced the angle a whopping 1°. Now it's solidly mounted and the header hunt is on! Oh, and yes the mounts will be welded properly after the engine comes out (I'm not all that skilled welding out of position).

Russ
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the first source said the trans and the diff should equal zero (say down 3 on the trans and up 3 on the diff). dut the other source i read said that the angle you measure is from the drive shaft to the appropriate end angle(eg the rans or the diff).QUOTE]
I think on the fords the angles of the trans and diff have to match. Ford offsets the diff to one side of the car. GM centers the diff and trans and offsets the levelness for the mismatch, And MoPar offsets the engine to the passenger side and centers the diff. This is so U-joint is spining constantly which some how prolongs life but not really sure why?
So take a look down the center line and check out your diff. Hope this helps a little
Graham
Russ
Yup, heater and A/C lines are up inside the fender.
Russ


are you making your own headers to clear?




