[454cutlass86]

I have an 1986 cutlass we front from small block olds to big block chevy and had to put new motor mounts in well i have the engine all tour apart down to the heads and no intake, i was stand infront of the car looking at it I noticed the engine sit a little cockeyed (not alot just a little... I have heard nto all engine are perfectly straight, will this be a huge issue or ok reason I ask is it was a PAIN bolt the new mounts in and would hate to have to do it again and redrill and all that

[powerrodsmike]

Measure from the crank centerline to one frame rail. Measure to the other rail. You may find it it farther towards the right side. (passenger side) Figure out what the difference is, if any.

Go to the rear of the motor and do the same. You should have the same difference, (or no difference) in measurements.

You can have a motor offset towards one side as long as the crankshaft centerline is parallel with the centerline of the car.

When a motor is crooked it can cause u joint angle weirdness, unless you straighten out the motor, or make the rear end just as crooked, so the angles match.

Motors sometimes look crooked because the cylinder banks are offset, and it creates an optical illusion.

Hope this helps,
mikey

[454cutlass86]

it help alot thank, ill try to measure and see what I come up with but if you looking at the car it looks like it slightly goin to the drivers side fender not alot tho....I wouldn't doubt it crooked cause it was hell tryi nto get the motor in there just right so im wouldn't be surprised there some hwer along the line it a Little off but as long as it wont hurt my engine after I rebuild it I dint care lol

[DaSouthWon]

Mopar E bodies have a major problem with this when putting a big block into a car that originally had a small block. I'm not familiar with the pontiac motor mounts and how they compare to the chevy but I can tell you this, if the crank sits at an angle in the engine compartment you're gonna have problems. By the time you reach the end of the tailshaft on the transmission, you may be 6" off to one side and pointed at an angle. Since your building a 496, your universal joints will be short lived. A crank thats off center, but paralell to the to the length of the car is not as big of an issue. Look at the mount positions on the pontiac, if one is closer to the front of the block than the other one, there's your problem. You may need to do a little cutting and welding of motor mount brackets on the frame to get things square.