Valve cover clearance.

[psoucy]

Have done a complete frame off restoration on my 70 k10 w/ 350 TH 350 and I’m having clearance issues with tall valve covers and and an MSD ignition/ distributor. Valve cover hits engine well along with the distributor. Does the engine crossmember and perch have an offset in it and needs to be installed with the offset towards the front. It appears the center of the 2 mounting bolts of the perch/crossmember are offset of the center of the engine mounts that would account for the engine being too close to the firewall. Anyone have pictures of an unmolested 70 frame so I can compare with what I have now. Thanks in advance.

[un4gvn!]

Your engine needs mounted to the most forward holes on the frame rails. Most common mistake alot people do when converting a six cylinder to a v8 is use the mounting holes of the six cylinder. Move your motor mount perches to the forward holes and your problem is solved. Why people don't use the forward holes is they don't want to swap out the drive shafts. There are so many of these trucks in salvage yards that you can get the shafts off them. Hope I helped you out.

[Pete S]

Thanks for the help. Just so I understand I move the perches to the forward holes the crossmember remains (there are no secondary holes).

[Palf70Step]

4WDs use the rear holes for clearance of the front axle, so I am told. Yes it makes it tight for distributor (like HEI) and I guess certain valve covers also. Sounds like paint work is already done,if not I ould massage the firewall for clearance or just go with different valve covers.

[ohboy321]

My K10 has a 70 frame and the engine crossmember uses the rear holes. The rear crossmember and transfer case side mount have fixed locations so they dictate the engine location.

Yes, things get very tight when using an HEI. I did as others on the board have done and hit the firewall with a BFH to get more clearance. It is not a show truck so I didn't mind making the adjustment. I have Micky Thompson valve covers that are tall and they only fit because a PO had taken a hammer to the firewall to add clearance.

[OldChevy1954]

If you are putting a V8 in a 4x4 67-72, just save yourself a ton of headaches and mount your motor mounts as far forward on the frame as you can. You may even have to drill a hole or two depending on the year of your frame. I have.

Don't let anyone tell you that you HAVE to mount your engine so the distributor crashes against the firewall NO YOU DON'T!

I've done 4 of these trucks and you can move your engine as far forward as you want, your oil pan will not hit the front crossmember for quite a distance.

There are also additional holes in the frame for moving your transmission crossmember forward too.

I have HEI with clearance to the firewall in all my 4x4 67-72's.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

4WDs use the rear holes for clearance of the front axle, so I am told.

Absolutely! But I have also seen 2WD 67-68 C10s with the engine mounted in the rear location.

Those different mounting positions are why some headers don't fit some trucks correctly. You'd think the header manufacturers would have figured it out by now.

[OldChevy1954]

Originally Posted by MikeB

Absolutely! But I have also seen 2WD 67-68 C10s with the engine mounted in the rear location.

Those different mounting positions are why some headers don't fit some trucks correctly. You'd think the header manufacturers would have figured it out by now.

Come tell that to my 72 K20. It will tell you Bull$#i!.

[MikeB]

Originally Posted by OldChevy1954

Come tell that to my 72 K20. It will tell you Bull$#i!.

So, are you saying that K20s came from the factory with the engines mounted in the front location, or even farther forward?