Engine tilt question?

[Shakin66]

I am installing a t 56 6speed and I know one of the problems with doing this is the driveline angle being to great causing the engine to lean back to far. I have cut the tunnel and it is currently at 3.5 degrees. I just cant remember if its 3 or 4 that is best and want to mount the crossmember today if someone out there has the answer that is.

 

[gsxrken]

3 degrees is the stock angle. Use your rocker flange to figure out and control for any rake the car may have in its stance. You'll have to make up a crossmember out of tubing and angle iron etc to hold the trans at that angle. None of the commercially available x-members position the tranny correctly b/c they figure you weren't going to do it right and cut the tunnel. Post some pics if you can!

 

[HHStang]

Be sure your rear is angled up at the same 3.5 degrees...

 

[ozstang65]

I always thought it was 4°, but in most cases it's whatever angle that causes your carby pad to be dead level. As long as the diff pinion is set to the same angle.

 

[Shakin66]

I have cut the tunnel (lost my factory air) and have it currently set at 3.5 degrees. I can get it to 3 but it is going to be very close at the tunnel.
HHStang, What do you mean about having the rear up at the same 3.5 degrees?

 

[Shakin66]

Also the crossmember from Darkhorse does allow for 3 degrees. And the Carb mounting area is not level with the engine so be careful there.

 

[gsxrken]

You want the slope of the drivetrain to be parallel to the slope of the pinion yoke. So if you are at 3.5* down, the pinion yoke should be a 3.5* up. I've heard that anything more than a 1* difference is a vibration, consumes some HP, and shortens u-joint life.
I guess the darkhorse member for the T-56 is better than their one for a TKO600. That, or the 5.0 block trans flange is much lower than that of a 351W.

 

[HHStang]

exactly like gsxrken said. If your tranny is pointed down, your pinion needs to point up. This is all with no suspension load. They offset each other so as your suspension drops, they get close to a zero degree offset. See this link. http://www.carcraft.com/howto/91758/

 

[Ronstang]

Three degrees relative to the rocker panel is the stock drivetraing angle. 3.5 is not too bad actually but if you can get it to 3 then I would do so if I was you.

 

[Shakin66]

I can get it to 3 degrees but I want to make certain that the t-56 does not contact the tunnel. I have about an inch all around now and thanks for all the help.

 

[ozstang65]

...And the Carb mounting area is not level with the engine so be careful there.

Yeah, some aftermarket manifolds are different. The stock setup (at least on mine) is level.