Zero Off Centre Engine

[ozz]

I've been having problems fitting the alternator so bought a small denso one and got that fitted with a smaller fan belt.

 

I then moved onto the steering column lower section and no matter what I did to rubbed on the alternator. If I pulled the triangular shaft right down I could get .5 mm clearance.

 

So I checked that the engine (pinto) was on the centre line and it is not. The center of the crank shaft pulley is about 2cm towards the drivers side, The casting line on the gear box is about 1cm off near the bell housing but the diff is spot on. I suspect the gear box mount may be off centre.

 

Its swings and roundabouts here because the 2 cm extra on the passenger side means my fuel injection will fit.

 

2 questions therefore arise.

 

1. Will my off centre engine affect the running of the car? - I hope that the prop shaft UJs will compensate for the angle.

 

2. It looks like I will need to have fabricated a new alternator mount to raise the alternator and bring it nearer to the engine. The original cast mount looks very strong (possibly over engineered) any advice on the design of a new mount would be very helpful. (I know a very kind welder).

 

Any advice or alternative solutions greatly appreciated.

 

Andrew

[Graham B]

Ozz,

You can always put extra universals in the steering column shaft and route it anty way you want. Just use the solid bearing mounts on the way.

 

Graham

[ozz]

Ozz,

You can always put extra universals in the steering column shaft and route it anty way you want. Just use the solid bearing mounts on the way.

 

Graham

 

I do have a UJ and splined shaft which I was going to use to replace the rubber disc joint to the steering rack which came with the sierra.

 

Does anyone know of any issues with re-using the rubber disc type joint. I don't want to spend loads of money solving this one!

 

Andrew

[Guest james123]

Hi i too had this problem when fitting my pinto 1.8 engine. The engine sits about 2cm off the centre line! Im guessing your using the type 9 gearbox? Have you cut the back off the starter housing on the gearbox bell housing? You have to cut a section out so it misses the chassis and this will allow it to line up in the centre. I then filed it with a peice of metal.This will then allow the prop to line up. I spent ages on the alternator but after fabricating a bracket and putting the adjuster on the bottom of the top hose outlet pipe and a smaller fan belt it seems fine. Hope this will help.

 

James

[ozz]

Hi i too had this problem when fitting my pinto 1.8 engine. The engine sits about 2cm off the centre line! Im guessing your using the type 9 gearbox? Have you cut the back off the starter housing on the gearbox bell housing? You have to cut a section out so it misses the chassis and this will allow it to line up in the centre. I then filed it with a peice of metal.This will then allow the prop to line up. I spent ages on the alternator but after fabricating a bracket and putting the adjuster on the bottom of the top hose outlet pipe and a smaller fan belt it seems fine. Hope this will help.

 

James

 

Thanks James I am thinking of going done the alternator bracket route too as it seems simpler and cheaper than an extra uj. What did you make the bracket from? (Plate? Box section?).

 

The bell housing is cut took two slices as did not cut enough off the first time there is now clearance between bell housing and chassis so that's not causing the misalignment.

 

Been looking at Baxter Bear's build site and the engine mounts shown there are further over than mine. How have Baxter and his assistants fitted steering column/alternator?

 

Andrew

[Guest james123]

My alternator bracket i made out of thick angled steel. This is the way i fixed my original ford alternator. The bottom right fixing of the alternator mounts to the bottom of the water pump underneasth the water pump outlet pipe. The bottom left fixing then mounts to a fabricated bracket to line up with a threaded hole in the block. You may have to cut a lug off which sticks out to give you extra adjustment on the belt .

James

[agent_zed]

i dont think it should be too much of a problem being slightly offline. If you look at a car/van/lorry with a live rear axle the proshaft joint is at a very big angle and changes as the axle moves. hopefully my logic is correct as i dont think my 2b engine/gb isnt lined up perfectly i think. Just make sure its regularly greased. hth

[Guest zoomzoom]

Hi

I used a small denso alternator mounted on a home made bracket which raises the alt about 2 cm. the top adjuster is the ford item (2.0.lts injection engine)

which is mounted to the block at the left hand cam cover bolt hole. This used a 800 length belt and just adjusts tight before it hits the engine bay chassis brace.

Will post some pics asap but cant find the adapter for the memory card (sorry)

 

Also my engine is mounted towards the passanger side also and i might cut the bellhousing as its very close to the chassis, and i think my engine is about 3cm forward of the correct position as i used a westfield gearbox mount.

 

Marcus

[ozz]

Hi

I used a small denso alternator mounted on a home made bracket which raises the alt about 2 cm. the top adjuster is the ford item (2.0.lts injection engine)

which is mounted to the block at the left hand cam cover bolt hole. This used a 800 length belt and just adjusts tight before it hits the engine bay chassis brace.

Will post some pics asap but cant find the adapter for the memory card (sorry)

 

Also my engine is mounted towards the passanger side also and i might cut the bellhousing as its very close to the chassis, and i think my engine is about 3cm forward of the correct position as i used a westfield gearbox mount.

 

Marcus

 

Hi Marcus

 

Thanks for that, I have made a bracket for the alternator but think I may have it too high and I've mounted the alternator level with the top mounting bolts on the block.

 

I don't have an exhaust manifold yet so I'm pretty much guessing the clearance required there, a photo of your set up would be brilliant.

 

As for the top adjuster I will try the cam cover bolt hole.

 

Cheers

 

Andrew

[Guest zoomzoom]

Hi my email is zoomzoombear@btinternet.com if you like you can email me your address and i can send the pictures straight from my phone to you.

 

Marcus

[chris27]

Hi Andrew

 

just fitted a small denzo alternater for the same reason.

 

I used an alternater bracket from an rs2000 and turned it upside down .... you may be able to do this with the original cast bracket

 

the bracket is now held in with 2 bolts into the block rather than 3, but as the alternater is a lot lighter than the original, this isn't a problem.

 

Also the denzo i got only has 1 lug for securing to the bracket rather than 2... again no probs as it is a lot lighter.

 

Once fitted up i measured the size of the belt required and off to the local motor factors for a few belts to get a tight fit....

 

hope this helps

[Guest Ian & Carole]

With regaurd to the off centre engine point, I wouldn't worry too much.

 

My 1st MK1 Escort RS 2000 had the engine about 2" off set to get it all in the engine bay, can't remember but I feel sure the MK2 was the same.

 

Ford just made one engine mount 2" longer than the other.

[ozz]

Thanks for all the help everyone.

 

Thanks to Marcus for the pics they have set my mind at rest.

 

That bracket looks good I may copy that later.

 

Cheers all

 

Andrew