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Tierod clearance under a 440 in a 65 Belvedere

64plybelvwgn

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As stated in messages on other boards, I purchased this 65 Belvedere not knowing a lot about the initial build and the elderly gentleman I purchased it from had a lot of " senior moments" as to what was in it......and just to clarify. I'm going on 71yo, so if I make a"senior moment" comment I'm including myself in there. OK,... I digress.

The 65 Belvedere has , by block number , a 1970 440. When up on a lift I noticed the extreme proximity of the tie rod to the old pan. I'g like to have a min of 1/4 to 1/2 inch clearance. Anyone run across this before and is there a stock or off-the-shelf, aftermarket solution ? Maybe a tierod with a step in it ?

I find this especially disconcerting since I was just about to order the Milodon street / strip oil pan. Now I may old off until I get some experienced advice.

Thanks in advance to one and all. Ted

20161102_151705.jpg
 
Ted, The early 60's B's used a different oil pan that was not as deep at the rear section of the pan.(Not the sump depth) Later Chrysler changed the pan a bit the following years along with some changes in the K frame. The last early pan I bought was from Mancini Racing.It is possible to shim the engine mounts to gain more clearance and 1/8 '' is good enough. All you need is to have nothing rub during the full left and right sweep of the center link.
 
Also, make sure you have good motor mounts. Old ones could sag. I have a Milodon pan on my 64 Sport Fury. No clearance issues with the center link. The deep sump has hit a few things on the road though.
 
Previous comments are well taken. In my '65 Coronet, the 402 440 pan & tie rod cleared by less than 1/4", but worked fine for 15 years.
 
Looks like you have the "C" body pan. Though it doesn't make a difference at the "center link" clearance if you were to use something different. The pan that was made originally for a '65 is not as tall in that area but may not be as available in the aftermarket. Like stated above, as long as it's not making contact, you should be good.

http://www.engine-swaps.com/Pages/ProductsType/OilPanSchematics.html
 
Ted, The early 60's B's used a different oil pan that was not as deep at the rear section of the pan.(Not the sump depth) Later Chrysler changed the pan a bit the following years along with some changes in the K frame. The last early pan I bought was from Mancini Racing.It is possible to shim the engine mounts to gain more clearance and 1/8 '' is good enough. All you need is to have nothing rub during the full left and right sweep of the center link.
Great ! Info I did not know. Shimming the mounts, after making sure they haven't sagged, seems like a good solution. I can make 1/8-1/4 Al plates. I guess I would have to shim the trans mount appropriately as well.
I was going to go to Mancini as well. Either that or the Mopar section of Classic Industries.
Much appreciated . Thanks again.
 
Previous comments are well taken. In my '65 Coronet, the 402 440 pan & tie rod cleared by less than 1/4", but worked fine for 15 years.
Ok. Going to look into that too. The pan is pretty beat up , so am going to replace in any case. Good info . Thank you.
 
Also, make sure you have good motor mounts. Old ones could sag. I have a Milodon pan on my 64 Sport Fury. No clearance issues with the center link. The deep sump has hit a few things on the road though.
Ok. Mounts
 
I have a Milodon 30930 on my 65 Bel. I still hope somebody will repop the max wedge pan.
 
I have a Milodon 30930 on my 65 Bel. I still hope somebody will repop the max wedge pan.
I have a Milodon 30930 on my 65 Bel. I still hope somebody will repop the max wedge pan.
Get the right oil pan, shimming the mounts will cause other issues with the fan to rad clearance, the exhaust to the torsion bars, and all your linkage for the trans. And if memory serve me the studs on the bottom of the mounts don,t allow for much spacer as they are short.
 
Get the right oil pan, shimming the mounts will cause other issues with the fan to rad clearance, the exhaust to the torsion bars, and all your linkage for the trans. And if memory serve me the studs on the bottom of the mounts don,t allow for much spacer as they are short.
I've got an original early big block pan for my 64. I couldn't find one when I put together my 65, they're not the easiest thing to find. The Milodon pan is the only one I know of that fits the early Bs. There could be other after market pans that fit, but I don't know. You do have to notch the k member slightly for the Milodon pan. There are other threads on this same subject with a lot of different opinions. Just make sure you have the right pick up tube for the pan you're using.
 
I have a 62 with a 440 and same problem with an aftermarket 7 qt. pan. Also have a windage tray. Had to knotch the K member on front passangers side to clear pan maybe 1/4" deep x 1/2" dia.. There is no problem with crank to pan clearence through this area so I took a flat tool no sharp stuff and raised that portion of pan, not much just for clearence. It's not going anywhere once bolted in, when turning it gets greater and torque raises motor. Mine has like a 1/16" and no problems
 
I have a 62 with a 440 and same problem with an aftermarket 7 qt. pan. Also have a windage tray. Had to knotch the K member on front passangers side to clear pan maybe 1/4" deep x 1/2" dia.. There is no problem with crank to pan clearence through this area so I took a flat tool no sharp stuff and raised that portion of pan, not much just for clearence. It's not going anywhere once bolted in, when turning it gets greater and torque raises motor. Mine has like a 1/16" and no problems
Thanks very much. Appreciate the info.
 
I've got an original early big block pan for my 64. I couldn't find one when I put together my 65, they're not the easiest thing to find. The Milodon pan is the only one I know of that fits the early Bs. There could be other after market pans that fit, but I don't know. You do have to notch the k member slightly for the Milodon pan. There are other threads on this same subject with a lot of different opinions. Just make sure you have the right pick up tube for the pan you're using.
Thank you. Looks like I'm going with the Milodon 30930 pan and 3/8 Milodon pickup with 3/8 - 1/2 clearance off the bottom.
 
Get the right oil pan, shimming the mounts will cause other issues with the fan to rad clearance, the exhaust to the torsion bars, and all your linkage for the trans. And if memory serve me the studs on the bottom of the mounts don,t allow for much spacer as they are short.
Good input . Thank you. I was thinking that shimming the motor would also stress the trans mount, etc. so wasn't going there if not required.
 
My '65 Coronet had a 402 pan & had 1/8" shims under the motor mounts. Worked fine.
 
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