Engine/Frame alignment

[Sandy G.]

In putting my '61 project car back together something doesn't seem right. When the front motor mounts are all bolted up tight the centerline of the engine sits about 7/8 of an inch offset to the driver's side. Also, the driver's side of the engine is slightly higher than the passenger side resulting in a slightly canted engine. Could this be right? I know the car had some front end damage when I bought it, but when I checked all the diagonals on the frame it indicated the frame is square. The motor mounts, even allowing for the steering offset, don't seem particularily symetrical. Any ideas. Thanks

[Terry D.]

Re: Engine/Frame alignment

Sandy
Did you take pictures when measuring? Is the car on wheels or on blocks? Did you measure the frame lying on a flat surface? Sounds like the one side is bent up. Need more info though. Were motor mounts original? Did you measure each one to the frame? Lots of things happen in 45+ years.
Terry

[Rick C.]

Re: Engine/Frame alignment

Sandy,

With three dimensions involved, I supposed you could get equal diagonal measurements and still not have a square frame. Is the body off the frame? If so, have you thought about leveling the frame by placing a level across the center portion, and then check the front of the frame and see if it still measures level? Also, as mentioned in previous posts, incorrect front suspension parts will cause the frame to sit uneven, although that doesn't explain the 7/8" offset.

Mu '62 frame is bare at the moment, so if I can take any measurements for you, let me know.

Rick

[Sandy G.]

Re: Engine/Frame alignment

I want to thank those responding. I think I have solved the problem. First, my left motor mount was bent. A new motor mount fixed part of the problem. Second, when the old front end damage was repaired the inside front frame rails ended up slightly canted so that when the motor mounts were bolted on they were not vertical. Shimming the upper side of one mount and the lower side of the other mount leveled the engine and moved it back to being centered. Probably not as good as replacing the front half of the frame but for a "driver" restoration on a budget it should work fine. Thanks to all for your help.