[steves1967]

Putting a 455 in my 68 Firebird, I used the stock frame mounts and a set of rubber engine mounts that I picked up from Classic Industries (Anchor # 2254). The front of the engine is not centered in the chassis, it favors the passenger side by about an 1 1/2". But the tailshaft of the transmission favors the drivers side by 1 1/4".

I tried loosening everything and pulling the tailshaft over but it wont budge more than a 1/2" or so.

Do I have the wrong engine mounts? Is the chassis bent? Where should I look for the problem? Seems to me the engine should be centered in the chassis.

Thanks!!

[b-man]

All first-gen Firebirds have the engine mounted one inch towards the passenger side, not on the centerline of the chassis. Likely done for steering box to engine clearance.

So at least now you know the engine and trans don't belong in the center.

[silverbullet07]

Well a Pontiac Engine sets about a 1 1/2 inch towards the passenger side. This give room for the steering gear box and starter that is on the driver side. The chev motor sits center. Now why it is crooked? What year 455 block? There are several holes to mound the engine mounts on the block. Are they in the same holes on each side? You did not miss align one side and miss a hole did you?

[steves1967]

Yeah the mounts only fit into certain bolt holes. I recall on my last firebird that the engine was centered, but I was using solid mounts.

Is there an easy way to square up the engine? I'm using a rack and pinion kit so steering box clearance isnt an issue.

Thanks!!

[max 93]

Did you change the trans cross member? I believe the camaro and Firebird cross members are different.

[steves1967]

Yes I have the original Pontiac crossmember.

[Sirrotica]

Going by recollection the whole engine/transmission assembly should be offset to the right side as has been said for exhaust steering box clearance. Looking at the pictures you've posted I would say the QC on the Korean mounts is suspect.

If it were me I'd remove the mounts and do some measuring, right and left should be identical. Just from what I can see by pictures I'd guess the right hand mount has the bolt hole forward further than the left side. The cheapazz Anchor mounts are frequently made wrong, probably due to the 12 year olds making them in Korea.

Thing is years ago when I first started working on cars Anchor was a good quality part, made here, now they're pretty much garbage. The worst thing is probably any motor mounts you purchase are going to be made in Korea by Anchor no matter what box they're in, or how much you pay for them.

The offset is in the metal mounts that bolt to the frame, myself I wouldn't worry about trying to center the assembly in the frame rails, nothing to gain by moving it 1 1/2 inches to the left side.

[tom s]

Brad,I have found in my 69 that the aftermarket mounts are also thinner and allow the pan to touch the X member.We have had to use front end alignment U shims to get it off of it.Tom

[Sirrotica]

I agree Tom, seen mounts that lowered the engine and have used 1/2 inch washers, which do the same thing as shims you mentioned. I think the OP has defective mounts because the current stuff we have to choose from is basically crap.

[steves1967]

I trimmed the drivers side mount and got the engine pretty well squared up- sitting to the pass side.

[Region Warrior]

FWIW.
On 1st gens the left and right engine frame brackets are different hieghts do to engine mounting off center. Dont think could mix them up though.
Ive never had issues with aftermaket mounts needing shimming. Could be just luck on what the local supplier sells...
And bty, BBC x-member can be made to work

[Toms bird]

I had to shim my mounts I hit on the oil pan also. I just used some grade 8 frame washers they were thicker than other washers. If you used the Chevy cross member wouldn't that make the trans crooked with the holes being different.