440 clearance

[dixiedog]

I hope this is the right forum.  My car is a 70 chally, originally a 318 now a RT clone with a 440 in it.  My problem is the clearance on the steering bar that goes under the oil pan.  It is to close and rubs sometimes.  What could I do to correct this. I have had the front end completely rebuilt. The engine needs to be up about 1/4 of an inch.  Any ideas?  I thought about raising the back of the tranny (auto) at the transmission mount, not sure if this is possible or feasable.  Thanks, Danny

[Strawdawg]

Many of these cars came with a 402 pan on them which gave more clearance.  I got one off Ebay because I had the same problem with the transplanted 440.  That, or, an aftermarket pan would be one way to do it.

The other way would be to put shims under the top bolts of the steering box to tilt the cross link down a bit.

[dixiedog]

I have an after market oil pan on it now.  I will look into shimming the steer box, not sure about that.  Thanks, Danny

[Chryco Psycho]

often the idler arm will have 2-3 washers to space it in the K frame , make sure the washers are on top so the idler is a low as possible .
the other problem may be old soft engine mounts , the Poly Loc are a poly mount that interlock so they will not pull apart like the poor quality new ones made in India , this should lift the engine back to original height , Mancini has the poly loc mounts if you decide yours are in poor condition .

[dixiedog]

My engine mounts are new.  I did notice the tranny mount is very weak.  I am going to replace that also the trans crossmember is not correct for the car.  Would it matter if I raised the back of the transmision about an inch to raise the back of the engine about a quarter of an inch? Thanks, Danny

[brads70]

I agree with what was already suggested. Get the good mounts first. I had to shim my mounts for header clearance issues, Here is a picture to explain how to shim the box and adjust the idler arm,
 

[dixiedog]

Brad, I don't understand the first diagram.  I know what it is but don't understand what it is saying to do or the results.      Ls      Rs ?   Thanks, Danny

[brads70]

Brad, I don't understand the first diagram.  I know what it is but don't understand what it is saying to do or the results.      Ls      Rs ?   Thanks, Danny

 That's for leveling the center link, for handling purposes. For fine tuning bumpsteer etc... circle track/road racing stuff.
Ls and Rs is the difference between the innear and outter tie rod ends on each side. The pictures below is one way to adjust those 2 dimensions.   Not something an ordinary front end shop would ever look at.  In your case your wanting to gain more oil pan clearance.

[70 RAG TOP]

Just curious about the brand of the aftermkt pan.  I bought a pan from 440 source and had the same clearance problem.  I would go back to my original 402 pan in a heartbeat, but my pan was in pretty bad shape. And they want too much $ for the 402 pans that I found.  In hindsight, I would pay the extra money!   Also I found that the aftermkt engine mounts were 3/16" thinner than my original mounts which dropped the engine significantly. 

[Chryco Psycho]

Mancini has the 6 qt hemi pan & pick up for approx 150 less without the pick up

[Aracer]

That Hemi pan is a good 440 fit, bottom's about 5/8"lower than the k member on my 74 Cu. My stock 5q.,   J440 T, had the same depth, so I got away with out messing with the pickup. I checked with modeling clay.