Installed engine for the first time in a project car (58) and the hood will not close as the front of the engine sits about 1/2" too high. I note that instead of aluminum shims at each end of the cross member, a home made shim was used. While it looks a little thicker (I assume the aluminum shim mounts with the thicker end toward the rear near the engine mount), it may be only 1/4" thicker. At any rate, is a shim required at this location? Can the front of the frame be secured (pulled down) to the front crossmember without a shim? If so, it seems that this lower mounting of the front of the frame might solve the problem. Elongating the holes on the engine mount would not seem to work as the front top bolt of the mount is right at the top of the bend...no room to open it up. The height of the nose is fine; transmission is not shimmed; hood fits fine without air cleaner; and mount pads are in good condition.
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
The shim is necessary to achieve correct front end alignment.
Actually nothing to do with body fit or engine position it just moves the frame up the thickness of the shim. -
Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
Richard,
Is the engine using stock manifold, carburetor and air cleaner?
Stock crossmember shims are thin end front, thick end rear. The home made setup could affect proper caster alignment. Yes, I would recommend using stock wedged shims.
Has the body been off of the frame? In order to raise the front of the body, you need to add shims to the lower radiator support where it attaches to the front steering bracket. Since the hood and body(inner skirts) mount directly to the radiator support, when you raise the support everything moves up and away from the frame. Are all body mount positions properly shimmed? If they are missing that will affect height as well.
RichComment
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
53 through 55 has the same frame and no shim was used. So yes, you can install the crossmember with no shims.
It was Zora's doing that the shims were added in 56 as he wanted to change the front end alignment for better race steering.Comment
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
The manifold and air cleaner are stock; the dual quads are clones. I know the base of the carbs are thicker than originals, but others have used that set-up with no problem. Besides, as the engine sits now, the fan hits the top fan shroud. No clearance. If it was 3/4" lower it would probably fit. The body was replaced when I bought it and not secured or shimmed. I did elongate the holes on the side of the body to raise the radiator support to achieve proper fit. The support is shimmed and the nose sits nicely with the hood fitting properly without the air cleaner. Used my judgment in shimming body overall to achieve proper door gap fit. Body visually seems to sit well, but there may be an issue I am missing. Is there a particular body mount that would contribute to this problem? If the shim at the crossmember is not required for proper alignment would removing it lower the front of the engine? Again, I believe all I need is about 3/4".Comment
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
Richard
I believe there is another recent thread about the aftermarket motor mounts being thicker than original. Could this be part of your problem? Doesn't the AIM show how to properly shim the body? Or maybe it's in the ST-12, can't remember and not near my garage.
TerryComment
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
A properly set up chassis and engine mount using the correct parts should not create the problem you are seeing.
But, in a pinch you can lower the engine by reducing the thickness of the rubber cushions on the motor mounts.
Just make sure your harmonic balancer is not hitting the front suspension cross member.Comment
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
No, the tapered shims are not that thick.Comment
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
Richard,
In addition to posting some photos of the problem areas, post measurements.
1) thickness of motor mount rubber top pad
2) carb height from 2x4 intake mount plate
3) is the front engine mount over water pump ears bent? Lay a flat board level across top of mount & measure the height distance on the ear that sits on the mount cushion.
4) measure the height o the motor mount fom the top of the frame
5) rear transmission mount height. 3 speed, 4 speed of Powerglide?
Shims between the front cross member won't effect engine height as the cross member bolts to the bottom of the frame.
Gary
....NCRS Texas Chapter
https://www.ncrstexas.org/
https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61565408483631Comment
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Re: C1 Aluminum Frame Shim...Needed?
SHIMS 001.jpgSHIMS 002.jpg
Front suspension shims GM Group# 7.010 PN 3733977.
See attached picture for actual dimensions.
Feel free to contact me if you have questions.Comment
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