Carb angle. How important?

[FatfenderJ]

I'm getting ready to weld my motor mounts in and I want to be sure I don't screw it up. How do I set up the engine so the carb angle so it will work right? Can I eyeball it and call it good. Have there been posts in the past that have adressed this issue? Give a brother a hand. Also while you're here I blasted a nice big hole in the firewall so I can get the engine back far enough to clear the radiator. How do I shape the firewall so that I can get the distributer out with the engine in? Maybe a stupid question, but I don't want to get stuck later. Thanks -J

[PONY]

You should be able to eye ball it with no problem. You can always drop the float level slightly if you get a flooding condition. As long as your not racing, the fuel pump will take care of your carbs needs. Just as important is maintaining a streight line as drawn from the center line of the crankshaft thru the trans and to the rear end, with the car on its wheels and either the body or equal weight on the frame. This will make the driveline and u-joints last a lot longer. For your distributor: Mark the top of the caps location on the firewall, figure the distance you hav to move the dist until you can tilt it to pull it out, add that plus 1" to the origonal mark, fab your recess to allow about 2" clearance for motor mount/body flex. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[DrJ]

You don't have a carpenters level?
Not even a cheap one?
Put a china bread plate thats only a little low in the center on the manifold surface and put a marble or ball bearing in the plate.
move the engine around till the marble rolls to and stays in the center of the plate. http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/cool.gif

[manyolcars]

[ QUOTE ]
Just as important is maintaining a streight line as drawn from the center line of the crankshaft thru the trans and to the rear end, with the car on its wheels and either the body or equal weight on the frame.

[/ QUOTE ]
The information I have seen on this say to set the engine level, then the rear end at the same angle---but NOT in a straight line. Straight from front to rear, Yes. Transmission angled straight at the rear end, No.

[tommy]

Use a level on the manifold carb base but don't forget to set up the frame the way it will sit when on the road. With a dropped axle and a rubber rake the frame probably won't be level when on the road.(usually) I've seen some pretty ugly engine angles that still worked but it doesn't take that much extra time to do it right the first time.

[Just Gary]

Use a carpenter's level.

But also realize that if keeping the carb perfectly level was critical to successful operation, you'd never be able to drive up or down hills http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[Automotive Stud]

If you didn't run a damn chevy the dizzy wouldn't be in the back! http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

[Dirty Dug]

A friend of mine has the same type of recess in his firewall. What he did, and it works great, is built a removeable top in the recess that is inside the car. Remove the top of the hump and remove the distributor.

[flamedabone]

Are you talking level left and right or front to back?

There is a big diffrence!! If your carb is crooked transversely (One valve cover a little lower than the other) that'a not such a huge deal, but if your engine and tranny are not pointed down hill correctly, (or up hill in some cases) you could be right fucked.

The engine and tranny have to be in proper phase with the rear differential pinon angle. Getting this wrong could be catastrophic!!

Generally, your engine/trans should point down hill (tranny output shaft pointing into the ground) between 0-5 degrees. (I use 3 degrees) Your pinon angle should be pointed up the same amount.

I think there is a good tech-o-matic on this....

PS. BUY an angle finder. There are good magnetic ones for about 18 bucks or a nice gravity unit for 7.99 at Wal-Mart.

They will both be more than accurate enough for hot rod work.

Good luck, -Abone.

[av8jon]

[ QUOTE ]
Use a carpenter's level.

But also realize that if keeping the carb perfectly level was critical to successful operation, you'd never be able to drive up or down hills http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

[/ QUOTE ]

Hey, thats for sure, my roadster is always going down hill, at least thats what the carbs think!! I ended up with a little more rake than I first planned on. I had to add a little more rear suspension travel and it ended up looking better than where I was headed.....just don't tell the carbs http://www.jalopyjournal.com/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

[Jkustom]

Not sure if its been said yet, but use a level both front to back, AND right to left.... Ever seen a car with a nice chrome air cleaner and notice that its leaning one way or the other? looks dumb. -J.