Engine Anomaly

[Paul L.]

Hello Vette Friends,
I have a original 1968 427 390HP 4-speed model. #10222.
The engine is off center to the right about 5 degrees. The engine is perfectly level, I looked at the frame and the indentation for the engine damper is also off to the right. I would presume that this is a factory modifacation to through off the torque while turning. Could this be true?
I have tried to install a set of Hooker headers and found the runner interferes with the idler arm. If the engine was stright it would fit fine. Does anyone know of a fix for this problem?
A shorter idler arm might do the trick, or a different style header may do it. Thanks for looking. Paul

[Duke W.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

Per the circa 1963 SAE paper written by Duntov et. al on the design and development of the new Sting Ray, the engine was offset to the right one inch to provide more room in the driver's footwell.

Headers are a waste of money and time, and always result in some Mickey Mouse comprosmises. You say your car is "original". Do yourself a favor and keep the OE manifolds.

The key to "more power" is cylinder head massaging.

Duke

[Michael D.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

... You say your car is "original". Do yourself a favor and keep the OE manifolds...

I agree, but -- push come to shove -- contact customer services at Hooker. I'm betting your headers are big block generic and not Corvette specific.

[John L.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

I have seen 3 Corvettes lately with Hooker headers, all rubbed the Idler Arm. All have dents in the header tube to clear the arm. You probably have the correct headers...they just rub. All three were big blocks; 2 were 69's and 1 was a 71.

[Joe L.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

Hello Vette Friends,
I have a original 1968 427 390HP 4-speed model. #10222.
The engine is off center to the right about 5 degrees. The engine is perfectly level, I looked at the frame and the indentation for the engine damper is also off to the right. I would presume that this is a factory modifacation to through off the torque while turning. Could this be true?
I have tried to install a set of Hooker headers and found the runner interferes with the idler arm. If the engine was stright it would fit fine. Does anyone know of a fix for this problem?
A shorter idler arm might do the trick, or a different style header may do it. Thanks for looking. Paul

Paul-----


You can see the means by which the engine off-set was accomplished if you look at the motor mount brackets welded to each side of the forward frame. The bracket on the left side is longer than the one on the right side.

The off-set is "corrected" at the differential pinion shaft location. If it were not, then the half shafts would have to have been of different length or some other, "asymmetrical" rear drive-line components utilized.

As far as headers go, you would NEVER, EVER find them on any street car of mine. NEVER, EVER, EVER. PERIOD.

[Joe C.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

Hello Vette Friends,
I have a original 1968 427 390HP 4-speed model. #10222.
The engine is off center to the right about 5 degrees. The engine is perfectly level, I looked at the frame and the indentation for the engine damper is also off to the right. I would presume that this is a factory modifacation to through off the torque while turning. Could this be true?
I have tried to install a set of Hooker headers and found the runner interferes with the idler arm. If the engine was stright it would fit fine. Does anyone know of a fix for this problem?
A shorter idler arm might do the trick, or a different style header may do it. Thanks for looking. Paul

Which Hooker header do you have? Sidepipe or "full length" undercar exhaust? I do not see any special instructions on Hooker's website if you are installing models 2123, 2225, 2222 or 2233 which are for BBC Corvette the first two of which are undercar and the second two are sidemount. So they should all provide sufficient clearance and fit your engine bay without any mods.

If clearance is an issue, for some reason, then go with the smaller diameter primary tube/collector (model 2123) if you're using the undercar style. If you are convinced that the headers will help you, and/or you consider them "sexy", then use a set of "shorty" headers (which would be a complete waste of money in your case........but, hey, you'll have "headers").

As you probably know, "sharks" are notoriously HOT from the exhaust pipes........especially big blocks, and the headers will only exacerbate this (unless you wrap them all the way to AFT of the drivers' seat). Your low horsepower, hydraulic lifter engine will show very little, if any power gain with the headers. It may show marginal torque gain in low/midrange, but that will only happen if you use a low restriction exhaust system along with the headers.

An ancillary benefit of having the engine shoved over to the passenger side, is that it keeps the Corvette's roll axis close to the vehicle's centerline when there is no passenger in the suicide seat.

[Michael H.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

An ancillary benefit of having the engine shoved over to the passenger side, is that it keeps the Corvette's roll axis close to the vehicle's centerline when there is no passenger in the suicide seat.

I remember when you asked about that a while back. Thought maybe something was BAD wrong with your 65 because the seats weren't centered in the drivers compartment.

I think I said the car must have been hit really hard on one side.

[Joe C.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

I remember when you asked about that a while back. Thought maybe something was BAD wrong with your 65 because the seats weren't centered in the drivers compartment.

I think I said the car must have been hit really hard on one side.

No.

I found out after you replied that it was specially built to be driven by this man:

[Terry M.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

No.

I found out after you replied that it was specially built to be driven by this man:

That purple rag needs to be larger.

[Dennis S.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

Per the circa 1963 SAE paper written by Duntov et. al on the design and development of the new Sting Ray, the engine was offset to the right one inch to provide more room in the driver's footwell.Duke

I feel better already. I have looked at the engine for years and thought to myself....that thing ain't sittin' in the center. Now I know why.

[Philip C.]

Re: Engine Anomaly

Paul go for it! headers make the music, get a set of the electric dumpers for them too. Its your ride build it for you, your not cutting anything up. I have a 5 speed with a 308 rear a hurst shifter in my 396 coupe, that gives me a 456 rear in one thru four and a 308 in five, runs like a bat, light to light, 75 mph around 3,000 Phil 8063 %$%uck the wave lightem up