Another problem was the power steering pulley was hitting the top of the power steering box (see photo one). The stock GM pulley is 6.5 inches in diameter. If a smaller diameter pulley could be located, we could drop the engine about .25 to .50 inches. This would let the pulley clear the power steering box and the alternator clear the hood. Pulling the engine forward enough to clear the power steering box is not really a good option because the camaro oil pan (we will discuss that later) would hit the cross-member requiring a costly ($250 exchange) oil pan modification from S & P. The deeper (by 3.5 inches) truck/escalade pan would work if you pulled the engine forward, but it hangs approximately 3 inches below the rest of the underside of the car, creating an easy target for any road hazard out there. Pushing the engine back any further would require firewall modification and push the shifter location back even further.
I went junkyard diving to look for a smaller diameter pulley. I found that a late 80s ford six cylinder (4.9 - I think) in an Econoline van had a pump setup identical to the escalade with a 1 inch smaller diameter (See picture two). I pulled the pulley from the vehicle and for $20 the part was mine. I installed it and it fit perfectly, with room to drop the engine about 3/8 of an inch (see picture three). Next issue is getting the tranny to the right height.
