Is the engine supposed to be off center on the k-frame?

[bull]

I sat my 383 down on the k-frame a while back and started putting the front suspension together and eventually noticed the engine is off center toward the passenger side. Is this normal? The motor mounts are on correctly, according to the FSM and other pics I've seen. The k-frame was rebuilt and reinforced by Firm Feel.

[68X426]

Allows that extra inch space for the steering column. At least it does for my Hemi.

[resq302]

I noticed the same thing in our challenger.  Thats the same response I got as well that it has to clear for the steering box.

[tan top]

yep steering  box   

[resq302]

By the way, that thing looks SWEEETTTTT!!!!!!

[bull]

By the way, that thing looks SWEEETTTTT!!!!!!

Thanks. And I'm glad it's not screwed up being off like it is.

One question though, does this mean it's off center or at an angle (crooked) because if it were at an angle it would continue on throughout the drivetrain.

[resq302]

Nope, no harm at all.  Isnt your drive shaft on an angle?  Thats the job of the universals.   

[Steve P.]

It is as designed brother. I remember asking this question many years ago and not getting what I thought was a very good answer, but YES, IT IS due to the steering box and column.

[68X426]

Bull, don't worry. When the earth's magnetic poles flip, the motor will then align with the center k-member.

[bull]

I figured it was a rookie question so I put off asking it but there comes a time when you just have to bite the bullet. Glad I did because I was real close to taking it back off the k-frame.

[resq302]

I figured it was a rookie question so I put off asking it but there's comes a time when you just have to bite the bullet. Glad I did because I was real close to taking it back off the k-frame.

Yeh, that woulda sucked!!!!!

[FJMG]

Isn't the centerline of the pinion in the diff also off center?

[tan top]

By the way, that thing looks SWEEETTTTT!!!!!!

  nice work !! looks  real good 

[694spdRT]

Looks great Bull! 

Are you starting to see the light at the end of the restoration tunnel?

[bull]

Looks great Bull!  

Are you starting to see the light at the end of the restoration tunnel?

Yes and no. Winter is a real motivation-killer for me. I did more work last summer than probably the past four wnters combined but since summer ended I've only really managed to do some touch up work on the engine bay, set the engine down on the k-frame and assemble the front suspension. I would really like to get the flywheel, clutch and tranny mounted and get the drivetrain in before April. After that I'll probably pull the rear end, rebuild it and clean/undercoat the back half of the car before I get going on the interior. Part of my problem is I didn't get some of the suspension parts finish coated before it got cold and rainy so I had to pay to get them plated. I did manage to get some of the stuff painted but it's a real hassle when it's cold out.

Jeez, I just read that and got depressed again.

[elacruze]

Just because nobody else sent a pic. Here's mine.

[Cooter]

If you actually ever look under your cars, be it a B-body, E-body,A-body whatever, the entire driveshaft runs at an angle..if it weren't for this angle, the u-joints wouldn't function properly..The needle rollers in the cups MUST rotate and in order to do this, the shaft as well as the engine/trans/diff. must be a little Off center.


I've seen cars where this was "Corrected" by the owner only to find out later on, that the U-joints didn't last but a few weeks. Once torn apart from Massive vibration issues, the needles had worn a spot where they sat in the cups...

[HeavyFuel]

Looks great Bull!  

Are you starting to see the light at the end of the restoration tunnel?

Yes and no. Winter is a real motivation-killer for me. I did more work last summer than probably the past four wnters combined but since summer ended I've only really managed to do some touch up work on the engine bay, set the engine down on the k-frame and assemble the front suspension. I would really like to get the flywheel, clutch and tranny mounted and get the drivetrain in before April. After that I'll probably pull the rear end, rebuild it and clean/undercoat the back half of the car before I get going on the interior. Part of my problem is I didn't get some of the suspension parts finish coated before it got cold and rainy so I had to pay to get them plated. I did manage to get some of the stuff painted but it's a real hassle when it's cold out.

Jeez, I just read that and got depressed again.

Bull, aren't you west coast somewhere?  Seattle?  You want to talk about cold weather that shuts you down.....come to ND!


Nice work BTW.

[green69rt]

How long ago did you get that K frame?  I called about getting one and they said they don't do them anymore, they just sell the parts for the reinforcement.

[elacruze]

How long ago did you get that K frame?  I called about getting one and they said they don't do them anymore, they just sell the parts for the reinforcement.

Crap. I got all my stuff within the last 2 years-if they had sold the parts for the K-member, I'd have done mine. I didn't because of the shipping expense etc.

[bull]

How long ago did you get that K frame?  I called about getting one and they said they don't do them anymore, they just sell the parts for the reinforcement.

December of 09 so a little more than a year ago: http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,64797.0.html

They still advertise the service on their website: http://firmfeel.com/reinfkfram_b.htm

[bull]

Bull, aren't you west coast somewhere?  Seattle?  You want to talk about cold weather that shuts you down.....come to ND!


Nice work BTW.

Well, I know we don't have it nearly as bad in Portland as just about everyone else has had it this winter but it's just as problematic when it comes to fair weather operations such as painting, undercoating, space availability, etc. It may not be 10-degrees with 22" of snow here but you still can't paint when it's 43-degrees and raining. The good news is that we've had a high number of below-freezing temperature days this year so I'm hoping that will knock the hell out of the mosquito larvae. Last summer was a lousy with the mosquitoes and we didn't get much sun.