The engines in my ’55 and ’64 300’s are offset toward the passenger side and I know the rear tranny mount is also offset to the driver’s side in the ’55 as is the drive tunnel. The rear tranny mount of the ’55 can be installed either way and had been installed backwards so that the engine, transmission and driveshaft were angled improperly. I discovered this when addition of a couple of heavyweights in the back seat caused the driveshaft to thump the tunnel. I had noticed no other problems of vibration but everything was out of whack.
I believe the offset is common with the rationale being to offset the weight of the driver and to give the driver a little more foot room for the accelerator pedal. This offset is huge in our motor home which is built on the GM P30 chassis and has the back of its 454 intruding between the foot wells. I looked at our ’99 Jeep and its engine seems to be perfectly centered.
It’s possible the rear tranny mount on all or most of our 300’s may also be offset and subject to installation error. And, so, worth a peek next time you are underneath to make sure crankshaft, tail shaft and drive shaft are pretty much lined up with the back U-joint being responsible for making up any angularity offsets. It would not surprise me if the pinion shaft was also slightly out of orthogonality.
Rich Barber
Director and Membership Manager
Chrysler 300 Club, Inc.
1801 Redwine Terrace
Brentwood, CA 94513-6000
Home: (925) 513-6583
Cell: (925) 783-4893
e-mail: c300@xxxxxxx
Website: www.chrysler300clubinc.com
From: Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:Chrysler300@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of Dave Dumais dave.dumais@xxxxxxxxx [Chrysler300]
Sent: Wednesday, January 28, 2015 4:18 PM
To: Chrysler300Club Intl.
Subject: [Chrysler300] Straight and on centerline?
My engine and 4 spd are now installed. Good mounts lined up on the frame studs, and trans tailshaft was tweaked into place to line up mount with bolt and washer.
Looking into the engine comp't with hood not installed, the rear of the engine seems to be twisted a bit towards the pass side.
Should the center of water pump line up with center of radiator grill? (radiator is not installed)
I am thinking of installing radiator and then 4 blade fan, and check clearance between fan tips and radiator.
If the spacing is even,then there should be no concerns>
Thanks,
Dave
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