Engine - Driveline Location

[mthrockmorton]

I am getting ready to locate the engine and driveline. Interested in general comments and thoughts. I am resurrecting a home built frame (not based on anything from this world) that was abused and neglected by at least two previous owners. The suspension is essentially in place, ride height established etc...need to set the driveline and coordinate the body final location.

My current thinking to to locate the engine and driveline as low and as far back as "reasonable". My preliminary measurements are suggesting that I may end up with a negative pinion / driveshaft angle.

Thanks in advance...

[Tom Wells]

m,

Here's a kinda fun tutorial about driveshaft angles: https://shiftsst.com/blog/post/driveline-angles.html

The first video is pretty good!

Hope it helps,

Tom

[mthrockmorton]

Thanks...I am very familiar with the effects of driveshaft angles, when installed it will be within a degree or so....

I am new the the forum world....so maybe I was not clear enough with my question...is a driveshaft that is lower in the front something that Cobras experience....

[Tom Wells]

m,

Now I got the picture.

That's not something I've seen. Probably as long as the ground clearance under the engine and trans isn't too small, it doesn't sound like a problem. I don't think the u-joints care "who's on top" as long as their angles are properly aligned.

You may want to see if suspension deflection for a live axle causes an excessive angle in rear suspension compression since the angle would increase with that movement.

If the rear axle is an IRS, then no problem with deflection.

If my cars were built that way the trans would probably be the first part that scrapes the small bumps in the road. Maybe your driveline has enough clearance.

Tom

[mthrockmorton]

It is a rigid 8.8" Mustang rear, triangulated four link. I should mock it up in a couple weeks. I am planning on the ground clearance being the primary factor in height and head / firewall clearance being the primary factor front to rear...we shall see....

[t walgamuth]

If the driveshaft is lower in front at rest then when driving and you go over a dip the compression of the rear springs will pull the ds partly out of the tranny. I would think normal position of it would have it so that it is near level at rest with the driver and a full tank of gas, but a little . If it is low at the front the action of the suspension should be checked very carefully.

Other than that I'd put the engine as low as possible and as far back as possible without preventing basic service. I would not have the oil pan hanging below the frame.