[Cal55]

I just stuffed my mock up big block in to the car. With the intake manifold in place with no carb,I put a level front to back of manifold. What should it read ? With the intake on should the motor be level front to back? Thanks

[techinspector1]

With the car level, the carb pad should read zero front to back and side to side. This will put a 2 1/2 to 3 degree angle on the motor. That's where you want to be. You can move the motor side to side for more clearance of components as long as you keep the crank parallel with the centerline of the car.

[Bryan59EC]

Might want to stick a waterpump, fan, radiator in there too.
Not sure but I thought there was some firewall mods necessary with a BBC in a tri-5 chev.

Bryan

[468ci1956]

As my sig indicates, I have a 1956 chevy with a big block chevy. You may have a few very minor clearance issues with the firewall and a stock HEI distributor. An aftermarket distributor is available that is smaller in diameter and will fit fine without modifications. I have added headers, vintage air conditioning, power steering, and power brakes without any major modifications.

You want to start out with the motor as level as possible and as centered in the engine bay as possible. You may want to add some ballast weight to represent the weight of radiator, fluids, water pump and battery. That way if in the future you add stuff like I did you will hopefully have the room to do so.

The only hitch in my project is that I have to loosen the brake booster to get the driver side valve cover removed...and that it gets a whopping 7 mpg.

Gotta love those shoeboxes with the major grunt to goooooo.
jt

[Cal55]

Originally Posted by techinspector1

With the car level, the carb pad should read zero front to back and side to side. This will put a 2 1/2 to 3 degree angle on the motor. That's where you want to be. You can move the motor side to side for more clearance of components as long as you keep the crank parallel with the centerline of the car.

Thanks all that helps me.