Engine Bay / Engine Positon

[srvivor71]

I look at all the engine bay pics I can find and am puzzled about something. How come some engines (like mine - a 350) are buried in the firewall with no clearance for the air cleaner and REALLY bad access to the distributor and both dipsticks and some seem to be much further out in the bay, with lots of access to the further back stuff? Does being a 4x4 make a difference?

[blkcorvair]

buried in a firewall usually means someone did a swap from an I-6 and left the I-6 stands in just bolting the v-8 to them. The actual V-8 stands sit a couple inces foward.

I have also read that the 4wd engine setup sits further back, but I cannot confirm this

[too much stuff]

Originally Posted by blkcorvair

buried in a firewall usually means someone did a swap from an I-6 and left the I-6 stands in just bolting the v-8 to them. The actual V-8 stands sit a couple inces foward.

I have also read that the 4wd engine setup sits further back, but I cannot confirm this

This is basically correct.

[SS Tim]

The 4x4s and I-6 trucks use the aft mounting position. V-8 engines and transmissions are mounted about 3.8" further forward from the factory.

[srvivor71]

Mine has the factory original 350, so I guess it's because it's a 4x4...? I can tell you, it is a pain in the neck working on anything in the back of the engine.

[SS Tim]

Some people would use that as an excuse to add a doubler to the transfer case or an O/D trans. and move everything forward to fit. Then axle clearance becomes an issue and a lift is needed.