'66 nova project

[kevin_l]

Got the church boys racing headers in Wednesday. Over all I am happy but the fit isn't perfect, however the motor may not be in its final resting spot. Also, it may be angled since I don't have a trans crossmember in yet. The driver side appears to be good, the passenger side is hitting the frame rail slightly. For a 3rd of the dse headers I can certainly work wih these! I'll get some better pictures but here's what I have for now.

[Stovebolter]

Man I love these Novas! Almost went this route instead of the Camaro. Keep up the progress!

[kevin_l]

So, I haven't been messing with the nova too much lately, I am still waiting on the transmission crossmember. But I have been attempting to find a header solution and an answer for the a/c compressor.
I've been measuring around on the motor and trans trying to see if I can shift the motor to better clear the headers. Here's where my lack of car building experience is costing me. I Now have my motor mostly level with the subframe, but noticed the trans (tail shaft is just sitting on a jack stand) is shifted to the passenger side approximately 3/4" I read that some manufactures build this offset into the motor mounts to eliminate drive shaft issues, Also I read that DSE's mounts their engines centered. But my motor and trans are wanting to rest offset. If anyone has some insight on the matter I'd greatly appreciate it, If not I will call DSE tomorrow and see what I can find out from them.

Until I find out if the crossmember is being built with an offset and where the motor's final resting spot will be I can't move forward with the transmission tunnel modifications, header solution and finding a compressor and mount to clear the subframe.

[MillerBuilt]

Originally Posted by kevin_l

So, I haven't been messing with the nova too much lately, I am still waiting on the transmission crossmember. But I have been attempting to find a header solution and an answer for the a/c compressor.
I've been measuring around on the motor and trans trying to see if I can shift the motor to better clear the headers. Here's where my lack of car building experience is costing me. I Now have my motor mostly level with the subframe, but noticed the trans (tail shaft is just sitting on a jack stand) is shifted to the passenger side approximately 3/4" I read that some manufactures build this offset into the motor mounts to eliminate drive shaft issues, Also I read that DSE's mounts their engines centered. But my motor and trans are wanting to rest offset. If anyone has some insight on the matter I'd greatly appreciate it, If not I will call DSE tomorrow and see what I can find out from them.

Until I find out if the crossmember is being built with an offset and where the motor's final resting spot will be I can't move forward with the transmission tunnel modifications, header solution and finding a compressor and mount to clear the subframe.

Hi Kevin,

Just went through your build thread and NICE job! For what its worth the Nova's (62-67) came stock with a approx. 1/2" crankshaft offset to the passenger side. I have one of the earlier DSE front clips for my 65 Nova and the engine still sits approx. 1/2" to the passenger side. Hope this helps.

Jay

[kevin_l]

Originally Posted by JSM

Hi Kevin,

Just went through your build thread and NICE job! For what its worth the Nova's (62-67) came stock with a approx. 1/2" crankshaft offset to the passenger side. I have one of the earlier DSE front clips for my 65 Nova and the engine still sits approx. 1/2" to the passenger side. Hope this helps.

Jay

Thank You, I didn't get a chance to call DSE today to ask. The 1/2" offset would explain my header issues. I guess I need to double check with the guy building my trans cross-member to see if he is factoring offset in or not.

[MillerBuilt]

Originally Posted by kevin_l

Thank You, It almost seems as if my motor/trans is not just offset, but angled pointing the tail shaft to the passenger side. The front of the motor is not square to the sub frame cross-member. Is this what you're talking about?

No, should just be offset by 1/2". The block for the most part is parallel with frame rails.
Just as a check starting with the engine. Find your cam OR crank centerline and use a square or something to plumb a line down low enough so that you can measure over to your frame on both sides. You should find a number like 13-5/8" to the drivers side frame & 12-5/8" to the passenger. This is your "1/2" offset to the passenger side.

Also, since you have your rear-end bolted in. Transfer a chalk line down the center of your car on the concrete floor beneath (plumb line down "center" of your front sub-frame and mark on the slab, then plumb line down center of your rear frame rails and mark on slab,,, connect/snap line connecting the two) This will give you a decent reference "centerline". You should find if plumbed up to your crank/cam centerline that it is 1/2" off to passenger side. You also should find your pinion center the same...

[MillerBuilt]

Kevin, also remember (if I remember correctly) that your engine/transmission should be approx. 2-3 degrees "down". I think mine is closer to 3 degrees down based on DSE recommendation...

Jay