Author Topic: Engine & Front Cross Member Clearance  (Read 2947 times)

paul_GB

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Engine & Front Cross Member Clearance
« on: June 16, 2016, 23:54:24 »
I just installed a replacement engine into my 64 230SL. All has gone reasonably well (despite some hiccups along the way).. I rebuilt the replacement engine, had the gearbox rebuilt and the FIP calibrated and even repainted the engine bay...  it has taken about 9 months. BUT... with the engine now sitting in situ I noticed how close the top of the lower oil pan is to the front chassis cross member. I'd say there is less than 5mm clearance. The engine is sitting on new mounts to. The engine I removed was also very close to the chassis in the same place. 

A few of questions.. Do I have a significant chassis problem? Does anyone know what a typical clearance gap might be? Is there any way of marginally adjusting the how the engine sits? I considered adding washers to the mounts but thought I'd ask the group first.

Note, lesson learned.. if like me you want to remove the accelerator lever on the side of the FIP (the boomerang shaped sprig loaded bracket) to have it cleaned/passivated- THINK TWICE!. The internal pivot linkage to the rack control became disconnected and I had to have the FIP part rebuilt as a result.!!

Thanks
Paul
1964 230SL - Dark Blue

Benz Dr.

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Re: Engine & Front Cross Member Clearance
« Reply #1 on: June 17, 2016, 00:18:54 »
I just installed a replacement engine into my 64 230SL. All has gone reasonably well (despite some hiccups along the way).. I rebuilt the replacement engine, had the gearbox rebuilt and the FIP calibrated and even repainted the engine bay...  it has taken about 9 months. BUT... with the engine now sitting in situ I noticed how close the top of the lower oil pan is to the front chassis cross member. I'd say there is less than 5mm clearance. The engine is sitting on new mounts to. The engine I removed was also very close to the chassis in the same place. 

A few of questions.. Do I have a significant chassis problem? Does anyone know what a typical clearance gap might be? Is there any way of marginally adjusting the how the engine sits? I considered adding washers to the mounts but thought I'd ask the group first.

Note, lesson learned.. if like me you want to remove the accelerator lever on the side of the FIP (the boomerang shaped sprig loaded bracket) to have it cleaned/passivated- THINK TWICE!. The internal pivot linkage to the rack control became disconnected and I had to have the FIP part rebuilt as a result.!!

Thanks

I've warned against removal of this arm for that reason and actually prevented someone from doing it when they posted their intentions. Sorry I couldn't help you this time.
1966 230SL 5 speed, LSD, header pipes, 300SE distributor, ported, polished and balanced, AKA  ''The Red Rocket ''
Dan Caron's SL Barn

1970  3.5 Coupe
1961  190SL
1985   300CD  Turbo Coupe
1981  300SD
2013  GMC  Sierra
1965  230SL
1967 250SL
1970 280SL
1988 560SEC

paul_GB

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Re: Engine & Front Cross Member Clearance
« Reply #2 on: June 17, 2016, 22:03:19 »
Indeed Dr Benz.. I should have read up on the implications of removing that FIP bracket.. an expensive mistake on my part! Any thoughts on the engine/chassis clearance? On further inspection there is about 5mm clearance. Is this normal..?
Paul
1964 230SL - Dark Blue