Trans swap, now engine is low

[jeffinpa]

OK guys, this really has me puzzled. The car: 1965 Monza convertible. I bought the car about 10 months ago, found out it has a 95 HP 1964 engine with Powerglide. Seals were leaking pretty bad, so I dropped the engine and trans, separated them, and took the engine to the Corvair Ranch (luckily, I live near there).
Last summer, I bought a 1966 500 4dr for a parts car. I took the 3spd and associated parts from this one (bell housing, flywheel, trans mount, etc). When I got my engine back, I put all the necessary 3spd stuff on it, and changed the trans mount. Just got the drivetrain reinstalled, and now the engine sits about two and a half inches below where it should! I checked everything I can think of, unbolted the engine mount and compared it to the one from the 66-identical.

Does anyone have a suggestion as to what I've done wrong?

Thanks in advance,
Jeff in PA

[davemotohead]

Do you have a picture of the parts used and the way the engine is sitting now? Pics of the rear Motor mount? it is low in the front or rear or both?

[jeffinpa]

Sorry I don't have pics, will try to get some tonight. The engine seems to be low all the way around. I'm thinking that I will unbolt the trans(front) mount and jack up the engine to see if it will level out. I unbolted the engine mount and it seemed like it was pretty level when I jacked it up.

[jeffinpa]

This is the only pic that shows up well. Last night I unbolted the trans, but it only has about an inch of clearance until it hits the cross member. I noticed that the top of the oil filter adapter is below the lip of the body- shouldn't it be above? If I unbolt the rear mount. I can jack the engine up where it belongs, but the bolt holes are way off.

[bbodie52]

Is it possible you are seeing a failed rear engine mount? The description of the 1966-69 rear engine mount in the Clark's Corvair Parts online catalog page (below) describes a pyramid shape (uninstalled), with a flat shape across the top when holding the engine. They indicate that when bad, the center is sunken down. Also, the note at the top of the Clark's catalog page below indicates that the 1965 mount is prone to failure.

ALSO NOTICE THE JACKING NOTE AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE! Never jack up the rear of a Corvair with a jack placed under the transaxle. This forces the engine mounts to lift the weight of the car, which they were never designed to do. Lifting the car with a jack in this way can cause internal damage to the engine mount!

http://www.corvair.com/user-cgi/catalog ... N&page=160

1965 Corvair - DO NOT LIFT HERE!

[notched]

I noticed in your picture that you do not have the perimeter seal (gasket between body and engine) in place. I have noticed that the engine will appear low with out it. But you have to keep in mind that the seal takes up the clearance.
There is not much that would cause it to sit low by changing a trans. Check your mounts like Brad stated.

[davemotohead]

Can you post some pictures of the rear Motor mount and oil filter adapter area?

[jeffinpa]

Boy, is my face red! I didn't realize just how wide that rubber strip is. I guess I never saw an engine without the seal installed, and it looked like a really big gap. After reading the replies, I went and installed the seal, and now everything looks like it should. Thanks for all the responses, you guys are the best!

[Corventure Dave]

Oop's Delete!

[Corventure Dave]

No sweat. We all have fooled ourselves from time to time. I remember when I did a clutch job on a Early model and also thought it was a good time to
check out my extra input shafts. Sure enough.... I put a 3spd input shaft in the 4 speed. And of course, figured that one out after everything was back and buttoned up!!! Everything back out.. dummy!

Corventure Dave