Hey All,

I'm doing some initial measuring and checking (well, what I have that I can measure against) to see if my current driveline idea will work, and I was wondering what would be a good clearance between the engine and any external assemblies like master cylinder, steering box, frame and - most importantly - body panels? Is there some generally accepted number like "at least an inch of clearance all around engine", or is it variable like "engine to frame a minimum of 1/2", but head to fender at least 2 inches"?

If it fits (this might be a big if), I'm planning on putting a Pontiac 400/t56 combo into my 1936 Terraplane pickup (I6/3spd manual). The truck is at the body shop so I can't measure the compartment itself right now, but I do have a section of frame from a parts truck that I did some initial comparisons with. I don't have my notes with me right now, but I will have almost 2 inches clearance between the max width of the engine and the outside edge of the frame rails near the firewall, but possibly less than an inch of clearance on each side at the front of the engine (I was suprised to see that the original engine and the Pontiac are practically the same length - maybe an inch difference including the balancers. The original I6 looked a lot longer, while the Pontiac just looks massively wide). Now, I don't know if the whole engine/trans combo will fit - I'd have to get my hands on a t56 first (or at least measurements so I can build a blank) - but I'm hoping it will. Hmm, I just remembered that I forgot to take the distributor into account in my measurements . . .

I want to do this without making major modifications. Adding engine mounts and stuff like that is fine, but cutting body panels is a definite no-no. I think the saving grace for this plan is the trans tunnel in the cab is removable, so I can store the original tunnel and fab a replacement with no problem. Of course, this is my first project of this type/scope/magnitude, so it'll be interesting getting all the rest of the pieces to fit. 'Course if the Pontiac/t56 doesn't fit then I'll have to find something else that'll work (and no, I'm not interested in the 350/350 combo - has to be manual).

Thanks for any guidance,
- Mike

No hints, tips, been-there's, done-that's, look-out's, or howz-about's? Geez . . . denied. Oh well, guess I'll find a way when the time comes.

You have to admit that a 1936 Terraplane pickup is NOT a real common vehicle and few folks have ever seen on ... much less installed a Pontiac 400 in one ...



Here is a 1936 Hudson Terraplane coupe ...

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I went to the school of hard knocks ... where the tuition is high but the retention is exceptional !

True that . . . 'bout as common as hen's teeth them trucks. I wasn't really hoping for project-specific information though (that would be sweet), but more like some guidelines to keep in mind when I get the chance to really dig in.

Fer ex, in my '78 T/A (I guess I oughta really start looking into some gallery or journal posts), I can watch the shaker pull at least 1/2" to the right when having way too much fun with it - so I would want more than 1/2" of clearance between the widest point on the engine and the hood panel - probably a minimum of an inch for peace of mind. I also thought that I heard or read somewhere that it's a good idea to keep an inch of clearance around the steering shaft (which on the Terraplane consists of a drag-link mounted outside the frame, so no clearance problems there if I stick with the stock steering. The steering box, however . . .). I'm definitely not going for anything too radical with this - more like a dependable cruiser.

That one, though . . . not really a fan of the monochromatic style. Pearlescent royal blue with lots of chrome is what I'm shooting for (Pic is the actual truck. Missing some trim and parts, but mostly there and still real solid).

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