Cam, Lifters, Headers In An Inline Six

[Shaky]

I can't for the life of me figure out why I didn't have that problem. Same engine, same headers, same cross-shaft.

[Shaky]

There's no way your six is sitting on V-8 mounts is there?

I only ask because I remember we put a small block into a 6-cylinder truck without changing the motor mount frame brackets and it placed the engine further aft.

I guess this isn't likely since your cross-shaft lines up frame-to-block, but I can't think of anything else...

[292farmer]

is it a 3 or 4 spd maybe you said, also is it a rivit or a bolt that holds the linkage to the frame? did it get hit pulling the motor? your looks like its at a different angle then shortys also his has an angle in the bracket looks like, maybe yours does and i cant see it, im gonna take a look at mine tomm, as ive got shortys old headers, however mines a 292 but im hoping it may provide an hint to your problem. sorry it was a long post just trying to help.

[292farmer]

also if it does sit on v8 mounts the crossshaft may still line up because they adjusted the angle and bent it to fit, seen it done to jeeps fitted with chevy 350's all the time.

[Jbesotes]

Do you have clifford shorty headers? I am asking because my header goes right over the bolt placing for the mount for the clutch linkage.

How would I know if I have v8 motor mounts or v6 mounts?

I have a 3 speed sideload.
And it is mounted to the frame by a bolt.... Could there maby be more than one type of clutch linkage between models??

And the linkage is straight never been hit since I have owned the truck. but it does look like SHAKY'S clutch linkage has a little bit of a bend in it?
compaired to mine?

[Jbesotes]

Shaky could you possibly get me a picture of the clutch linkage attaching to the bracket on the motor if possible that might help explain the difference or problem that I am having.

Thanks

[Shaky]

It's gonna have to wait for the weekend - I'm runnin' wild at work right now...

[Jbesotes]

Sounds good thank you

[292farmer]

heres my 292 with clifford shorty headers, and my clearance to the clutch linkage. sorry its a phone pic so kinda crappy

[Jbesotes]

It seems like both of your guys headers both sweep further foward to the front of the truck, where mine is located right ontop of the bolt holes for the mounting bracket.

[292farmer]

okay so i went and took some good pictures this time with wifes camera. the first two are of the linkage so u can see what mine looks like. the thrid picture is my motor mount measured from radiator(1 row radiator measured from firewall side) roughly 19.5in then the next picture shows that my linkage is actually connected by two bolts so i can guess that means that their are different linkage types(my truck is a 72 c25 292 w/sm465 trans) however i see a hole drilled in front of mine that lines up perfectly with my header, so if your linkage or mine were bolted in that hole it would create this problem im guessing. last pic shows my motor mount to linkage distance. hope this helps if u need more pics/measurements of anything let me know.

[Shaky]

My linkage is out of the truck now (since the headers are on 292Farmer's truck), but heres a pic of the cross-shaft and block-bracket. The second pic is the motor mount so maybe you can see if it's similar to yours. The truck is a '66, but I don't think things changed in this area too much.

[Shaky]

Here's another couple of pics from when it was assembled:

[grs]

How much horse power can you get out of a 6 banger ? Could you get high horse power out of a 1954 Chevy BelAir 6 cyl. that has hydraulic lifters?

[Shaky]

Same as V-8s: mild to wild. Just add money.

Turbo-ed 250's can push a Nova into the 10s. The engine you mention doesn't have as strong a bottom end, so that will limit it somewhat. Go here for info:

http://www.stovebolt.com/ubbthreads/

This book could tell you all you need to know about "later models"...

[Jbesotes]

Thanks guys I am going to hopefully get that clutch linkage done this weekend, I am slammed with college summer classes. About 4 hours of homework a night.

Shaky: Yea I do have the right motor mount good thinking I double checked it just in case. Also your cross shaft has quite a bend in it and mine is perfectly straight were there different styles throughout the years?

[dnorris009]

Here's my '70 set up,also straight.
Have you called Clifford & talked with them about the problem?
They may have come across this before & be able to help.

[Heater63]

Jbesotes, if all else fails, look at using a hydraulic clutch link using Novak bracket and slave. I'm about to install one on my 292.
Thank you Shaky for spreading the gospel. Santucci's book covers it all.
As to older posts, yes, break in the cam/lifters per Com's instructions and using an oil additive that provides high Zn. This is online at comps website.
Also, yes, you have to heat the cam gear to 450 or so before installing..it is an interference fit and you will gall off the aluminum if you press it on cold.
Balancers live a short life on the L6 if you rev them high, especially the 292. Read Santucci's book. You can get them rebuilt at Damper Doctor, etc; the just repour the elastomeric.
good luck,
Tad

[RichardJ]

A couple guys have mentioned how important it is to install the cam gear properly.
Not only should you heat the gear, but you should also freeze the cam. Even doing that I have had trouble getting it all the way on. If it doesn't drop all the way on, I have a rosebud torch at hand ready to be lit. Wave that around it two or three times and it will drop with a clank. They say not to heat the gear with a torch but this is just replacing some of the heat lost between the oven and the waiting cam.

The clearance Jimmy S mentioned is set by the ring that is inside the thrust plate. The ring is a couple of thousandths thicker than the trust plate and keeps the plate from being pinched and automatically sets the clearance.

You should also check the run-out of the gear. (Wobble) This will tell you, that you installed the gear properly. Run-out should be no more than .004" If it is more than that, you have galled the aluminum while pressing it on.
You can check the run-out by turning it in the block.

[Jbesotes]

So I ended up building a custom bracket for my clutch linkage to mount to the motor. I will be instaling it today and hompefully get the motor running I am going to try and post a video of it runnning if this site will allow im not sure if I can or not. Either way I will have pictures as I go.

[Jbesotes]

Alright everyone the truck is running!!! Only a minor oil leak, I am not liking rubber lifter cover gaskets...

I am having a little over heating going on, i think it mught be because I put a clutch fan on the truck and it is not kicking on in time?? I am thinking about putting a spacer on it to move it closer to the raidiator hoping it will pick up more heat and kick on sooner??

[Jbesotes]

Here are some pictures of the final project and one of the valve ajusting while the motor was running.

[Jbesotes]

Sorry the video didnt work ..

[geezer#99]

You mentioned side cover leaks with rubber gaskets. I've done two motors and used them. No leaks. Did you hammer the bolt holes back out. When the covers are overtightened the metal around the bolt holes sinks in. When you do the gasket replacement pop the holes and surrounding metal back out. I use a ballpeen hammer on a flat surface. Test fit a couple times with no gasket to make sure the bolt bosses don't hold the cover out. Should sit almost flat to the motor with no gaskets. I do the same on valve covers and oil pans.
Motor looks good. I'm running Langdon's and a soon to be installed offy on mine.

[Jbesotes]

Found the cause for the side cover leaks I got an aftermarket chrome distribuitor clamp and it was too big and it was up against the cover and bent it a bit so I went back to the old mount and it works like a dream.