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Pinto engine alignment
DaveFJ - 4/1/05 at 10:35 AM

Carried out my first trial fit of my pinto last night... grrr

i can't get anywhere near to the values in the book. anyone care to giv me any pertinent advice on the best alignment?

at the moment i have it sat with the bell housing just clearing the drivers footwell (about 5 mm) which gives 190mm from the top rail to the rear of the block. this gives barely enough room to fit the rubber mounts either side (any further forward and they won't fit). however the book states a certain alignment for the front of the engine which I can't even get close to (IIRC it is 310mm from the right hand upper rail and 320mm from the left: I have 290mm and 350mm !!) If i was to move the engine the mounts would actually be outside the chassis!)



[Edited on 4/1/05 by protofj]


Mix - 4/1/05 at 10:45 AM

Just had a lok at the Tiger 'looseleaf missive'.
I see the difference in the width of the engine mounts is 25mm. Do you have the mounts on the correct sides? were they buit as per the book?

It's just an observation, not trying to teach you to suck eggs. Feel free to treat with contempt

Mick


DaveFJ - 4/1/05 at 11:00 AM

Nope fair comments...

the mounts (tiger supplied) only fit on the correct sides because of the angle of the bolt holes on the pinto, so i think they are correct....

i also think i have the tiger supplied rubber mounts the correct way round ( thinner one with longer mount) because else the engine would be at an angle laterally.

[Edited on 4/1/05 by protofj]


Mix - 4/1/05 at 11:12 AM

I think it might be an idea to measure the mounts next time you get a chance. It's possible that Tiger may have assembled them incorrectly
The 25mm difference and your observed dimensions seem to be quite a coincidence.

Mick

I'm referring to dimension 'G' Pg 104 Drgs 8.15a and 8.16a

[Edited on 4/1/05 by Mix]


Avoneer - 4/1/05 at 12:06 PM

I had to raise my drivers side mount by about 10mm and shortern the passenger side one by 10mm.
Just make sure the distance from the end of the footwell top rail to the bell housing is roughly the same on both sides and then chop and change everything else. You won't be able to get the output from the gearbox the same height as in the book as well so don't worry about that either.
Pat...


DaveFJ - 4/1/05 at 12:29 PM

distance form top rail to block is within 1mm either end so I'm reasonably happy with that (although it is 10mm less than the book dimensoin of 200mm)

I am more worried about the lateral positioning, I don't yet have my carbs and have not mounted my alternator (a V small denso type). I just can't achive the dimensions described in the book - unless my tiger supplied mounts are all wrong (will check this tonite) also I have been looking at the book amendment pdf but I don't have the book with me so i cannot see if there is a relevant amendment (although there does appear to be a possibilty - where it says : "drg 6.3c, detail A (page 67). 300=280(adjusted) - will have to check if this refers to engine position diagram tonite....)

Cheers


Mix - 4/1/05 at 12:39 PM

Sorry to dissapoint, the dimension they are referring to is the distance between the steering rack mounts.

Mick


DaveFJ - 4/1/05 at 12:41 PM

Bugger


DaveFJ - 5/1/05 at 12:14 PM

Had another go last night.

The mounts appear to pretty close to the book dimensions so i think they are ok. However the engine does not sit flat. At the moment it slopes down to the drivers side by about 5 degrees. I have worked out that if i raise the drivers side rubber mount by 30mm then the engine will be perfectly flat laterally with only a slight nose down and also the top of the block (no head fitted at the moment) will be level with the top of the chassis top rails. It also helps slightly with the left/right alignment - but not much.

So what is the opinion on the angle of the engine ? should i strive to get it flat or doesn't a bit of tilt matter ? and also do you think I will run into problems when i try to fit a pair of twin webbers/delortos ?
I can see that the current angle would aid in clearance for the carbs but do they have to sit flat ?

Also , if the top of the block is level with the tops of the chassis rails, how am I doing for height? it seems it may be a bit high to me, once the head and cam cover are fitted.

Cheers

[Edited on 5/1/05 by protofj]


Avoneer - 5/1/05 at 01:01 PM

Try and get the block flat.
For the carbs, make sure you have the rarer straight manifold and not the one on an angle as your carbs will hit the bonnet.
My engine has been out for a rebuild and will be going back in this week so when it's in, I can see how the block lies relevant to the top chassis rail, unless you have done yours by then.
Pat...


Fishface - 5/1/05 at 01:36 PM

I had a similar problem. Spoke to tiger who said that it doed sit at angle so the engine leans forward and slightly to one side. I have now fitted mine and it doesnt look to bad or drastic but im no mechanic.
When I tried london tiger all i got was "oh we havent fitted a pinto into an avon , nobody wants them they are a bit old hat"
Great !


DaveFJ - 6/1/05 at 03:50 PM

After some investigation I have come up with a solution which i hope will work ok. I have made a steel foot 30mm high to go under the drivers side mount which allows the rubber mount to be bolted to it and in turn - it to be bolted to the chassis. this lifts the engine to eactly level laterally and justa smidgen nose down. (however that may change when it is fully built and sat on it's wheels.....)
I have decided to do it this way so that if I find that it causes problems i can easily remove it later and try something else.

thanks for all your help.


DaveFJ - 10/1/05 at 10:34 AM

Just an Update...

mount built and fitted, however, drivers side mount now interferes with steering column...

It's always the same - you fix one thing and it screws up something else....