The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop TCI IFS

I have come across a major problem. Maybe it's me but... has anyone ever put TCI IFS in a 1954 all stock w/ a 236 six?? I'm in the middle of this project. The cross member is welded in. Yes we measured etc. Anyway I can't get the rack in(manual) because it hits the oil pan! We even took the front mount off and put a 2x4 under the front of the motor to gain more height.I called Classic Performance Products where I purchased this. They said I have never heard of anyone using this front end w/ the stock six cylinder! Long story but being that I am Joe consumer my question is what can I do to fix.I am waiting for a call as I write this from TCI. Thank You in advance. I'll keep you posted.
Oceanside Jack

can you mount the rack in front of the frame insead of behind or you might be able to get a oil pan and pickup from a car or newer year of motor that may have a deferent shape for the clearance

How much is the oil pan interfering with the rack? I don't know how much room there is in the front of the pan but you might be able to cut it back if possible.

No chance to move any thing crossmember is welded up. Rack is hitting oil pan I can't see how that can be altered.
Question is am I the ONLY IDIOT who has tried to put an IFS in a 54 3100 w/ stock 235? Or does everyone have to put in a V8?? Also I was told by CPP and TCI they never heard of anyone ever using this application??? I know I could be completely wrong but now Im stuck. If the V8 install is necessary for this front end, why doesn't the literature I read say so? Boy sometimes it's hard bein' stupit.
Jack

Jack:
Get one the phone to Heidts, Fatman, Chevy Duty, and any other IFS supplier. Ask them if it will work in your situation. They may be able to shed some light on your problem.

hi Oceanside Jack,

Can you post a pix of the problem, I'd like to see what the problem is.

Dave

Called Fat Man. Good people to talk to Exact words are a bit hard to take. Basically he said you're screwed. So I'm currently at a loss. Still waiting for a response from TCI. Pix will follow if I can get my camera back. Thanx, Jack

Best way I can think of to make the rack work with the straight six is to remove your oil pan and customize it for better clearance. It is a common hotrod trick. As long as you clear your crank, there is no problem at all by doing this. All you need is some mild steel sheetmetal of an appropriate gauge, an angle grinder with a cut off wheel, and a welder.

So you're not screwed. It's just gonna take a bit more work.
It just takes a little extra imagination, that's all.

You might do better taking it to a machine shop and getting them to do the work. At least that is what I would do.

oceanside jack,

The folks at fatman are nice and so is the owner, Brent. I have always used there IFS for several reasons.

Without the pictures its hard to tell how servere the problem is but could you modify the pan as mentioned above and mount the engine alittle higher. If you move the rack you may mess up the geomerty causing "bump steer".

Dave

Just got a call from Total Cost Involved. Sal the GM called understands problem wants pics so he can look for a solution. So as soon as I can get the camera I'll send him some shots.
As far as going to a machine shop I don't know. First thing is I have to pull the motor to get to the oil pan. Now if I could get the shop to come to me. Anyway thanks for the suggestions and please keep them coming. I guess it's just like the commercial oops I should have had a V8!!
Jack

Don't give up on that six yet. I am sure a solution can be reached. If there is a will, there is a way.

Keep us posted.

Dave

OK, just to clarify which setup is this?
This one?

Lots have guy's have run Mustang 2 setups in those trucks with the six cylinder with no problem. My 53 1/2 ton had a manual rack M2 (Car not kit) setup in it with the 216 when I got it. Later I swapped to a later 58 car motor with no problem. When it goes all back together this next round it will get a power rack and pump so the wife can drive it more. You should have more clearance with a kit M2 than with a regular Car cross member?

Just to clarify till you can post some pics. Is this the original engine in that truck? How bout posting the engine #'s so we can look it up and work out just what engine or more important what oil pan we're looking at. Also what trans are you going to run and have there been any other mods to the truck before this.

If you need you can email those pics to me I'll be happy to host them and post a link for you.

Remember "Ain't No Crime Runnin' Inline!!!"
MONGO

I'm surprised you have to pull the engine to get to the oil pan.

Something does not sound right here.I used the TCI frontend in my 55 with a 350 V/8. The rack mounts in front of the crossmember.Maybe I am not reading your post correctly,but the rack interfering with the oil pan just does not sound right.The only problem I had was with the crossmember all the way up front. I removed it comepletley to make room for the rack.

Maybe the crossmember needs to be c-notched at the interference. I see many aftermarket crossmembers pre-notched like that, never understood why. Maybe it's for this reason?

Hey, if all else fails, this is a great excuse to upgrade to a V8! Or maybe a Viper V10?!!

Antny

Dale is right, my heidts rack mounts in front of the crossmember.

Ive got a Heidts on my 51 and I had to C notch my frame for the rack...Here's a Better picture
Hope this helps
Todd

First of all, thank you all for your continued imput. I should have pics tomorrow. I cannot get the engine #'s right now my truck is @ a warehouse 50 miles from here. Yes I know something doesn't seem right because it isn't! And yes the rack does mount in front of the cross member. And I am sure the 216 as well as the V8 worked just fine. But I do not have a 216 or a V8. As you know the V8 block is shorter . The 6 is a much longer block.Therefore no clearance Clarence. And as far as the oil pan not coming out-- There is only a small amount of room in between the crossmember and the pan. Obviosly I will do some further investigation. TCI said this unit is not made for my application. As well as Fat Man. Maybe a 283 or another small block but for now I'll have to wait and see. Pics tomorrow I hope Jack

Mongo, Looks like it.Don't have the model # w/ me though.
Jack

I too would like to see some pix.My TCI unit went right in just fine.The rack is below the frame.Only things I had to do was to cut one coil off of the springs to get the height that I wanted,plus get a pressure reducing valve for my GM steering pump,because TCI uses a TBird rack that requires power pressure. Tabdoo I did have to remove the original front crossmember,makes it a lot easier to hook up the rack if it is a power unit.

Correction--TheTBird unit uses lower pressure than the GM unit.And you will blow out the seals if you dont reduce the pressure.

Mongo, Model # for my IFS is 232-2354-0 ,Stock Hieght, Manual Rack -- Jack

No pics until Monday. Also I think Mongo asked what kind of trans. I put in a T5 Camero/S10 hybrid w/new driveline and rear end.
Jack

Most of my racing friends have some really wild oil pans on their set ups, so with a little work, you should be able to get something to fit. Don't get mad, it's just a machine, and sooner or later it'll all come together. Bet you'll be the only kid on the block with one like it.

Thanks for the encourgement, one thing I know is that anger has not solved many problems and has created more than can be counted. Its just a truck afterall. Things tend to work out as you work through them. Hopefully I'll get some pix to TCI. The GM wants to have a look and see how they can help. I do think from my perspective that is, somewhere it should say for V8s only. When I get the photos I'll post them. (Unless I did something really stupid) Then I'll wait until I wipe the cake off my face.....
Jack

(Funny isn't replying to myself.)I hate winers Especially when it's me. But cry I will anyway. Latest in my slow journey is The oil pan as I stated earlier cannot be removed w/o removing engine. There is enough room to pull it back but since there are baffles in between the oil pump, no slide out. Sometimes this is fun. Other times the school of hard knocks hurts my head. So it looks like as I am peaking through the gap the crank is too low to customize the pan . So I have to rethink my position. Coulda, woulda, shoulda-- you know the story. Thanx fer lettin' me vent a little.
Jack

Sorry I hadn't got these posted yesterday.
Crossmember Pix
At least the vendor is talking with you and sounds like they are trying to make it right.
Best of luck.
Steve

Good News! I spoke w/ the GM Sal @ TCI today. He said they never leave their customers hanging. They are going to build a crossmember for yours truly. Never been done before. That is, one built just for a 235 inliner. So I am excited!! I should get it by the end of next week!I will keep you posted as to my progress. I would think this would be a for purchase unit in the near future. Thank you again to all for your input.
Jack

Wow! That is some exceptional service for sure. Congratulations, I am sure I can speak for many here. We are very happy for you! Cool keep us posted. There may be others wanting the same type of mod.

Too Cool !!!

Well, Jack all this worked out and for the best. I'm surprised that more guys here haven't tried this conversion. Looks like you've done a lot of guys a service through this.

I can't wait to get started. The warehouse where I sub-let space is moving soon. And I have a lot to do in a short time. Now that the engine is coming out,( which by the way is what I should have planned for way back)I want to do all kinds of things. Like clean up the fire wall, rewire my truck , of course I still have to work on the steering. Also re plumb as I install the new master cylinder, etc. Lots to do in a short time. At the same time I don't care about show I just want it to go. If I wanted a trophy I'd have figured out something else to do w/ my life. Jack

Jack, idle hands are the devil's workshop. Stay busy!

Latest news re my "New" new TCI IFS .
I received an E-mail today from Total Cost Involved. They will be sending me a custom made cross member and new hats for my '54! It is the only one they have ever made for a 6 cylinder.
I should get it next Monday or so. It wasn't fun cutting out the first new cross member but I'm done and ready for round 2. If they are the only manfacturer of this type of unit maybe they will market it for others who decide to stay w/ the inliner.
Jack

Great Jack! You're the only truck in the entire world with a TCI IFS. Glad it worked out for you. That makes you unique, and different, or Odd.

I just came across this thread and it hit home for me. I have TCI's M2 ifs and the power rack interfears with the crankcase. Customer service at TCI's answer was a lead on a shop that could make a spaced up front motor mount. He also said that suprises are part of the game. I kind of agree although I was told before I bought it that it would work fine as long it was a rear sump crankcase.

How did the crossmember work? Can't picture it.

A lot depends on what truck you have.