When putting rebuilt 400 with Tremec manual transmission back in my '68 Bird, I noticed the front of the engine is off center about an inch towards the passenger side. I did not notice this when we removed the engine, but that's not to say it wasn't that way already. The block is a '74, so I'm not sure if the frame mounts or the engine mounts were changed by a previous owner, although I believe the frame mounts are correct and seem to be L/R specific. The motor mounts appear to be from a '68 Pontiac (non Firebird) based on the 1968 Service Manual diagrams, and appear to be interchangeable. From what I've researched, the '68 Firebird motor mounts are also the same (not L/R specific), so I'm not sure what's causing the off-center issue. Anyone else had this problem, and if so, can it be fixed or is it even a concern?
Yes, they were designed off center. There was a thread about this last spring or late winter. Try a search.
I used to be indecisive. Now I'm not sure. I feel like I am diagonally parked in a parallel universe. 1968 400 convertible (Scarlet) 1976 T/A - 455 LE (No Burt) 1976 T/A New baby, starting full restoration. 1968 350 - 4 speed 'vert - 400 clone (the Beast!) 1968 350 convertible - Wife's car now- 400 clone (Aleutian Blue) (Blue Angel) 2008 Durango - DD 2008 GXP - New one from NH is AWESOME! 2017 Durango Citadel - Modern is nice! HEMI is amazing! 1998 Silverado Z71 - Father-daughter project 1968 400 coupe - R/A clone (Blue Pearl) (sold) 1967 326 convertible - Sold 1980 T/A SE Bandit - Sold
Just about every new bird owner at some point looks down at the engine and wonders what happened to his car. First gens were designed by chevy for small block chevy motors. Poncho motors and chevy big blocks are so big they have to be offset to the passenger side to clear the steering gear.
