[Moon]

Hi. I'm in the process of dropping a 403 Olds and th350 into a 54 Merc. Recessing the firewall to avoid oilpan/steering problems. Everything is pretty well set front to back but it would make my life a whole lot easier if I could offset the engine 1 inch towards the pass side. Then I could use both stock cast iron manifolds. The bottom line on this swap is using as many stock parts as possible (retired, time i got, money I don't). I've heard of some factory cars coming stock with offset motors, but what I don't know is if the eng/trans centerline is kept paralell to the driveshaft centerline or if the tailshaft of the trans winds up on the driveshaft centerline. I don't want to end up with a viberation in the drivetrain and/or wear out u-joints every 3000 miles. Any help or ideas would be great.

Moon

[shine]

it's done all the time. i've never had a problem that i know of.

[cboy]

Yup. As shine says, it's done all the time...in stock vehicles and in modified vehicles.

[oklowride]

i was researching some big block junk for my project and i found something that said big block 400 tranny crossmembers are off center because GM offset the engine to one side. GM did it so can you

[bracketeer]

I know my Vette is offset to allow for the parking brake cable to run down the tunnel alongside of the driveshaft. As far as I can remember the rear end yoke is centered.

My Lemans is also offset for the steering shaft to clear the exhaust manifold. I had a Ford 9" installed and it is definitely centered.

[Moon]

Thanks for the info. Mounting the 403 olds 1" to the pass side lets me use the stock castiron exhaust manifolds. Quieter and saves me some money.

Moon