Center link playing violin with headers

[Moparfiend]

So after a complete front end rebuild the center link is rubbing very slightly on the headers (problem 1).

When I rebuilt my LCA I welded in the stiffing plates and one side was off just a small amount that the torsion bar adjusting bolt wont go all the way through the given hole in the plate without the bolt head hitting the edge (problem 2). So the height adjustment is very low currently.

Question: If I raised the ride height with the torsion bar adjustment bolt on the LCA, would this provide clearance?
Would the engine height move up while the center link stays put thus providing some clearance?

 

[Bird 426]

Try moving your engine. There's a lot of slop in the mount to engine block. Up to 1/2" vertical or horizontal. If your bolts were tightened after the engine hoist was removed, it's probably down as far as it will go. I'm the opposite, pan hits my rack and pinion, so I lift and tighten. Check it out.

 

[Moparfiend]

Try moving your engine. There's a lot of slop in the mount to engine block. Up to 1/2" vertical or horizontal. If your bolts were tightened after the engine hoist was removed, it's probably down as far as it will go. I'm the opposite, pan hits my rack and pinion, so I lift and tighten. Check it out.

Thanks this is a lot of work IF simply raising my ride height a little would do the same.

I don’t think it was playing violin prior to rebuilding my FE. And I know the FE is very low. Sooooooo just would like to understand the geometry and mechanics of my question. Ie increasing the ride height would provide clearance as described above.

 

[RemCharger]

Tightening the torsion bar adjusters will not have an effect on center link to header clearance.

 

[WileE]

I'd add a cello, bass, and viola to make a string quartet.

 

[R413]

The center link is mounted on the idler and pitman arms. Ride height won't change that fact.

 

[Moparfiend]

So in order to gain clearance the only way is to raise the engine? Any other ways to implement a fix?

 

[pnora]

So after a complete front end rebuild the center link is rubbing very slightly on the headers (problem 1).

When I rebuilt my LCA I welded in the stiffing plates and one side was off just a small amount that the torsion bar adjusting bolt wont go all the way through the given hole in the plate without the bolt head hitting the edge (problem 2). So the height adjustment is very low currently.

Question: If I raised the ride height with the torsion bar adjustment bolt on the LCA, would this provide clearance?
Would the engine height move up while the center link stays put thus providing some clearance?

View attachment 1931848

Hard to tell by your pictures but I believe you have the center link on backwards.

 

[Doorkicker]

the center link is upside down

 

[Moparfiend]

Hard to tell by your pictures but I believe you have the center link on backwards.

Ah I was trying to determine why I have a problem now after the FE rebuild. The idler arm is new but that’s only one side. I’ll try to get another picture of the center link. It was difficult to determine which way the center link goes (for me anyway).

 

[Moparfiend]

the center link is upside down

Thanks for confirming this. How do you determine this clearly?

 

[RemCharger]

Agree and good eye. Flip it over and it should hit the header where it used to.

 

[Doorkicker]

Thanks for confirming this. How do you determine this clearly?

It's the bump in the bar right where it goes flat where the 2 holes are. You can see that the flat side is lower in the pic.

 

[R/T Boy 67]

As above, the link needs to be flipped around.You can see the dent In the header where the centerlink hit when it was the right way around. It can't be installed upside down.

 

[Moparfiend]

Thanks guy I'll see if my neck I can reverse the center link and will report back.

Agree and good eye. Flip it over and it should hit the header where it used to.

shouldn’t?

 

[Moparfiend]

As above, the link needs to be flipped around.You can see the dent In the header where the centerlink hit when it was the right way around. It can't be installed upside down.

You mean shouldn’t be installed upside down right because mine IS…. Just not correct.

 

[pnora]

the center link is upside down

You cant but in on upside down because the tapers would not fit.

 

[Doorkicker]

You cant but in on upside down because the tapers would not fit.

you can.. it just won't seat correctly

 

[dadsbee]

Not sure how you'd ever install it upside down, but turned 180 degrees would be a possiblity...

Here is correct...

 

[33 IMP]

So in order to gain clearance the only way is to raise the engine? Any other ways to implement a fix?

Large Hammer.