engine orientation

[FordHam]

Anyone have info on why the engine (302) is off center in the engine compartment. I wonder because I wanted to use a shaker hood on a resto that I am doing. Out of the question with the current engine placement. Anyone know of a easy solution to centering the engine?

[MadMaxetc]

Anyone have info on why the engine (302) is off center in the engine compartment. I wonder because I wanted to use a shaker hood on a resto that I am doing. Out of the question with the current engine placement. Anyone know of a easy solution to centering the engine?

You don't want it centered. your exaust will never clear your steering box.

It is also that way to off set the drivers weight a little.

You could just move the carb hole of the shaker over a fer inches.

[FordHam]

Thought about that, but how would it look with the hood up I wonder. Intuitively it seems like the shaker would look odd sitting off center. Ever seen one?

[FORDification]

ALL bumpside engines are offset to the passenger side, not just the 302...and centering it is out of the question. It won't clear the steering box or the left-side exhaust otherwise. .

As for the shaker, even if the engine WAS centered, there's no way in heck you'd get it to stretch the 8"-10" up to the hood. I should know....I had the same idea. I ended up removing the top portion of the shaker assembly, cutting a hole in the hood down to the hood brace, and then mounting the top piece on the hood brace, so it sticks up through the hood. Looks just like a standard Shaker setup. Take a look at the following link.

http://www.fordification.com/my67-p16.htm

[fordman]

wasn't the reason they were offset was to do with the rear end lining up properly or something. its been awhile since the was talked about . even if it was a short conversation.

[1970FordTK]

Unless I'm mistaken, and its totoaly possible. I believe it has to do with the drive shaft alinement so that the angle will make the bearings not get groved as bad. of info I hope I know.

[FORDification]

Well,

wasn't the reason they were offset was to do with the rear end lining up properly or something. its been awhile since the was talked about . even if it was a short conversation.

Yep. Even though the pumpkin is centered in the differential housing, the input on that pumpkin isn't, it's offset to the passenger side. So not only would centering the engine/transmission create clearance problems for the steering box and exhaust on the left side, it would also create an additional angle for the driveshaft, which will cause U-joint binding and bad vibrations.

Seems like a lot of problems to attempt to overcome, just to use a scoop that won't reach the hood anyway.

[averagef250]

All Ford truck drivetrains are offset.

I've done quite a few repowers and custom engine/tranny installs into Fords. There is very good reason why the drivetrain is offset. It makes much more sense than having it centered in the grand scheme of things.

A friend of mine centered the engine and tranny when he installed a Cummins six in his 86 F-350 4x4. To say the least it created tons of problems. His only goal was extra downpipe room, but it made a custom front crossmember necessary, major firewall mods and clearance issues with everything. The transfer case shifter sits in the floor pan footwell now instead of the tranny tunnel because there was no room for it.

Don't try to reinvent the wheel.

[sideoilerfe]

I wonder if the Australian/British trucks have their engines offset to the left.

[rubiranch]

I'm glad they're not centered, other wise I would have had to take the grille out of my truck when I installed my new cam.

[Dragon]

Wow it has been so long since I changed a cam while it is in the truck that I forgot how close that brace was.

[fireguywtc]

I was noticing today while looking at the bottom of my cab how off centered the trans is due to the offset from center the engine is. Seeing this thread actually make me stop and think about it. This pic give me a pretty good prespective. And now I know it wasn't just my imagination having more leg room on the drivers side.

[69timemachine]

Cool pic seeing the cab from the bottom like that! To the best I can remember, I think when I measured my truck, the engine was about 3 inches to the passenger's side from the actual centerline. I had to customize my driveshaft safety loop to compensate when I installed it. Other than doing custom stuff like that or functional shaker scoops, the offset doesn't really cause problems.

[fordman]

this is a off the subject but when i saw that pic i thought it looked really wierd too. those holes are huge.. it shows you just how much the cabs are really held together. especially after i cut a rusty cab up today.

[Hawkrod]

this is a off the subject but when i saw that pic i thought it looked really wierd too. those holes are huge.. it shows you just how much the cabs are really held together. especially after i cut a rusty cab up today.

Heck, when I see pictures like that I thank the lord that I live in the desert! Around here that would be too bad to even use as a parts truck! LOL Hawkrod