The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Beginning the work on the frame

I'm going to be ordering my rear suspension 4 link kit hopefully next week. I've got my C4 front suspension kit, the C4 front suspension, pretty much have a 9in f*rd rearend, just gotta pull it out of the junk car. I also have the engine and tranny cross member but I currently don't have them purchased, I'm saving up the funds now.

So my question is without the engine block and tranny, can I finally begin working on my truck by installing the front and rear suspension or should I wait till I have those purchased? The reason I ask is that I know that the rear axle pinion angle depends on the angle the engine is sitting. I've not really ask around or taken a hard look to see if a 383 sbc has a certain angle it has to set at for the fuel to reach all 8 cylinders or if it varies on the engine build. If I can go ahead and start working on putting the front and rear suspension in, what should I be aware of so I don't have to reposition anything when I go to install the engine and tranny cross members? Also is there anything that I'm missing that might come back to bit me in the butt if I don't do it now, besides boxing in the frame which is on the list while installing the suspension.

I do want to thank everybody for the help ya'll have given me in the past as I wouldn't be at the point without it. I'm really getting excited about finally working on the frame to start seeing progress. All I've done so far is spend money on it without being able to work on it. But at the same time I've done hours and hours of research to prevent those dang I wish I would have done it that way instead or screwed up and something doesn't turn out right.

I think the most important thing that will help you answer a lot of your own questions is to measure absolutely everything. You'll want to have your engine set back to the right point so that it doesn't interfere with the firewall, and you'll want your front suspension set so that the wheels are centered in the wheel wells (stock location, I assume).

There is no real specific angle requirement for a SBC, although the closest to level you can get is always best. If your engine is angled enough to not get even fuel distribution then something is majorly wrong. You should be more concerned with the oil pump pickup location in the oil pan, in my opinion.

Another thing to realize is that if you're trying to set all this with no body on the frame and without your final wheel and tire sizes, that things will change once all that is done, and you need to figure that into your setup. Make sure you measure a SBC and know where it needs to go (and mark it out) before you set up your front suspension so that everything goes smoothly. The driveshaft angles are the least of your concern at this point, as they can be dealt with when you set the motor in, and it can be set where it needs to be.

Engine angle has almost no effect on fuel distribution unless one has a carburetor and tilted it so much the fuel ran out of the bowl. Remember, people in the mountains and places like San Francisco drove carbed cars and the engines were almost NEVER level. Don't weld the spring saddles on your 9 inch or maybe just a tiny tack weld on each one. Usually just snugging the U-bolts will hold till all the weight is in place where you can then set the pinion angle and finish weld.

46, You are right about the measuring everything that kind of ties in to what coilover says about the tack welding. I plan on doing a lot of measuring and remeasuring and remeasuring. I currently don't know the cab on there but I can put it back on there with easy. My cousin said he can probably get me a old block that's not being used so I might gut it out and use it to set the engine in the truck.

coilover your right about the engine angle having no effect after you mentioned the people living in the west. That make a lot of sense.

This might be a dumb question but if I install the engine at says a 3 degree slop... The output of the transmission should be a 3 degree slop as well correct?

The surface of the carburetor mount should be level to the ground. This will put the driveline angle cocked down at the rear. The pinion shaft should match the angle of the driveline.

....most of the time i set my pinion angle at -2 degrees to the engine/tranny. I understand that is the "normal" degree.