69 chevelle SS tranny clearance issue

[wilsons74]

I have a 69 Chevelle Malibu I'm converting to a SS clone I installed a 396 and the rear of the transmission wont clear the tunnel? Any ideas I have looked at the new Body bushings replaced and they are the same as the OEM??

[mdcamaro]

What kind of trans? 350, 400, 700, M21

[wilsons74]

400, also is it possible to have different size 396 blocks as the engine seems really high with barely any clearance from the hood? reason i ask if the engine is to high (engine mounts) then maybe it would cause the cleartance issue both for the tranny & hood. shouldnt the frame fit any 396 block?

[mdcamaro]

There is a taller truck block. the frame mounts and engine mounts for your year should all be the same. Poly motor mounts stand taller also. You might need a low profile intake. Some times you need to massage the tunnel with a sledge hammer. It may also be your trans mount and cross member position. Try putting a jack under the trans mount and lower or raise it to see if the problem goes away.

[MagicRat]

Originally Posted by mdcamaro

There is a taller truck block..

Chevy put a 366 cid and 427 cid engines in their medium sized trucks, school buses etc. These engines had a taller deck height (I think about one inch taller), with a wider intake manifold and taller distrubutor. These engines occasionally get sold as regular car blocks, but the taller deck makes fitment problems, and performance parts are difficult to get. The engine itself has taller, heavier pistons and is not ideal for performance automotive use.

IMO consider checking and make sure you do not have a truck block before proceeding further.

[mdcamaro]

If you can locate the block id # on the rear of the block driver side between the head and the trans.