Hi all:Seems to me that I was taught in college (55 years ago) that engines and things that had mass and moving parts were offset to counteract the torque of the engine, etc.Dan Reitz____________________________________________________________________In a message dated 1/29/2015 12:11:33 P.M. Pacific Standard Time, Chrysler300-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx writes:
I went through this in a Studeabaker, w 2 piece shaft, 3 u joints . Lot of pain, lot of learning . ( 50 starlight with 354 hemi, had this all wrong before I got it ) What is critical is that the pinion angle “line” in 3D and the line of the engine/trans are parallel in 3D space ; so a parallel offset even 4” ok side to side up or down , all ok . To side looks awful, driveshaft angles into axle when viewed under car, , but to driveshaft ,no different than up and down angles .(some 4wd front shafts are like that..and some old jeeps in back ) I measured the up and down part by setting frame or engine line level to good floor (not the same ,can be, but a fixed difference you can figure out ), kind of zero that with jacks (one way) , then check pinion angle, axle loaded . A degree or so different with rear wheels loaded is ideal, generally we are worried about up and down angle (=axle tube shims at spring U bolts) ; but as I think Richard meant, also critical looking down on car from sky (if you will) ----that 1) pinion is square to car axis , axle tubes 90 degrees to car axis, and that 2) engine crank line is the same , square to car axis . If front of engine or rear of transmission is moved sideways , vibration will drive you crazy . Axle pinion should be inherently OK in this direction, set by distance from leaf spring front eye to center of axle tube, usually a locating pin of some kind keeps that the same .Bottom line: if crank pulley is 1” to passenger side, by design, that is OK, trans output also needs to be 1” to passenger side , re trans mounts ..both off car centerlineRationale is I think to clear steering box , ex manifold, starter and column? PS gave them a wild ride fitting it in, compared to straight six and manual steering ..first ones were huge …I could never understand why starter on Chrysler not on other side, move oil filter..JohnFrom: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of 'Rich Barber' c300@xxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 9:19 PM
To: 'Dave Dumais'; 'Chrysler300Club Intl.'
Subject: [Chrysler300] I walk the lineThe engines in my ’55 and ’64 300’s are offset toward the passenger side and I know the rear tranny mount is also offset to the driver’s side in the ’55 as is the drive tunnel. The rear tranny mount of the ’55 can be installed either way and had been installed backwards so that the engine, transmission and driveshaft were angled improperly. I discovered this when addition of a couple of heavyweights in the back seat caused the driveshaft to thump the tunnel. I had noticed no other problems of vibration but everything was out of whack.I believe the offset is common with the rationale being to offset the weight of the driver and to give the driver a little more foot room for the accelerator pedal. This offset is huge in our motor home which is built on the GM P30 chassis and has the back of its 454 intruding between the foot wells. I looked at our ’99 Jeep and its engine seems to be perfectly centered.It’s possible the rear tranny mount on all or most of our 300’s may also be offset and subject to installation error. And, so, worth a peek next time you are underneath to make sure crankshaft, tail shaft and drive shaft are pretty much lined up with the back U-joint being responsible for making up any angularity offsets. It would not surprise me if the pinion shaft was also slightly out of orthogonality.Rich BarberDirector and Membership ManagerChrysler 300 Club, Inc.1801 Redwine TerraceBrentwood, CA 94513-6000Home: (925) 513-6583Cell: (925) 783-4893e-mail: c300@xxxxxxxFrom: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dave Dumais dave.dumais@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 4:18 PM
To: Chrysler300Club Intl.
Subject: [Chrysler300] Straight and on centerline?My engine and 4 spd are now installed. Good mounts lined up on the frame studs, and trans tailshaft was tweaked into place to line up mount with bolt and washer.Looking into the engine comp't with hood not installed, the rear of the engine seems to be twisted a bit towards the pass side.Should the center of water pump line up with center of radiator grill? (radiator is not installed)I am thinking of installing radiator and then 4 blade fan, and check clearance between fan tips and radiator.If the spacing is even,then there should be no concerns>Thanks,Dave