C2: '66 BB underhood clearance measurement

[Dan Pepper]

Hoping someone can help check the mesurement from the top edge of their ignition shielding box to the adjacent top lip of the body cowl.

My problem is the wing nuts are digging into the fiberglass underhood brace. It measures 2 1/8" from the top edge of the shielding box (without the lid on) to the top of the lip.

Thought I had traced the problem to a separated left side (original) motor mount. Figured the problem was that the engine was torquing/lifting off of the bad mount causing the interference. Last time I drove it with the bad mount, the alternator fan dug into the hood brace right above it. Although I certainly needed new mounts, the fix didn't effect the ignition shielding clearance problem.

Has my engine been hexed by anti-gravity or is my 38 year old body sagging around it? Measurements anyone? Thanks...

[Mike Cobine]

Re: C2: '66 BB underhood clearance measurement

I can't help you with the measurements, but I'd suggest one thing: It wasn't doing this before but it is now. What has changed? Whatever changed between when it didn't and now could be it.

In your note, you mentioned bad motor mounts. I assume you replaced them. If you check the originals with the new ones, I bet you find the new ones much thicker. One place to look.

Most things would let the engine drop - bad tranny mount, bellhousing separating, etc. Still, a broken tranny mount may let the tranny jump up and so would the rear of the engine. You may still have engine movement.

The frame bending would move it up (sway, front end bending up, etc.) but I would think for the amount to make these wing nuts hit, you'd notice the body cracking somewhere.

Try having the car outside away from everything with the hood open and letting someone slip the clutch out slightly with the brakes on. Easier if it was an automatic, but not as much fun. Observe from the side. If you want to be close, be sure to put a bolt in the hood support so it doesn't crash down on you. Good idea anyway.

See if the engine jumps up any still. You may have to try a forward and the reverse gears. It could be only in reverse the engine jumps.

A really far out one is this. Check the shielding for dents. If there are, check the distributor hold down clamp is really bolted down. I saw a guy that had his distributor jumping in and out. There were some much tangled around it, it stayed close to time, but wouldn't stay in the hole. He complained the oil light flickered a lot.

It is probably something much simpler and way off of anything I have guess.