79 TA Motor Mount Problem

[Thunderegg]

I own a 1979 Trans Am, originally with an Olds 403. I removed the 403 and installed a Pontiac 400 from a 1976 Grand Prix. Everything went together fine. The problem is that the engine sits too high to shut the hood. The mounts on the block fit the frame mounts, but the engine simply sits too high. I am a novice...what am I overlooking?
Any help would be appreciated.

[hotrod_chevyz]

Im installing a 400 Pontiac out of a 1972 Catalina,into my 1982 Trans Am and have the exact same problem.

Using a tape measure i estimate the carb will be sitting near three inches above the line of my factory hood.Its unavoidable in my situation.

you probably arent missing anything but a hood scoop.

[hotrod_chevyz]

try closing the hood with the air cleaner off the carb

[Thunderegg]

The top of my 2-bbl Rochester sits almost level with the shaker hole. I went out just a bit ago and sat the filter on the carb, didn't even come close to shutting the hood. Is there such a thing as shorter block mounts for the 400?

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by Thunderegg

The top of my 2-bbl Rochester sits almost level with the shaker hole. I went out just a bit ago and sat the filter on the carb, didn't even come close to shutting the hood. Is there such a thing as shorter block mounts for the 400?

I'm pretty sure that the mounts on the block are different.Pontiac even used different block mounts for their different years/engines. Best bet to check with a gm parts dealer to see if the mounts you have for your olds carry a different part number than the Pontiac mounts.Again I'm confident they do. Also the tip with the scoop is no good. As one knows, Pontiac trans Ams came with the Olds and the Pontiac engine with the shaker scoop. So your problem is within the motor or block mounts.

[hotrod_chevyz]

So what your saying is for him to go get a smaller/weaker mount thats going to break under the load of a 400?If he puts any smaller mounts on it,they will be breaking left and right but what do i know im the guy with the hood scoop idea.

[Philo]

If you are planning on using the shaker from the Olds engine on the 400, it won't fit, even if you get the engine down where it is supposed to be. They used different shakers. But it won't be a height problem, it will be a front to rear alignment problem.

[Thumprkils]

the location of the mounts maybe too high are there more than one set of holes,sometimes there are multiple holes
Hey Hot Rod my fan set to high in my 82, so I just pulled it and went back to a built 350

[Thunderegg]

Well, I appreciate the help no matter what I end up doing. Today I called a local GM Parts dealer and found out the block mounts are discontinued. Someone at NAPA recommended I go see a friend of his who owns a '78 with a 400 in it. I took a look at the block mounts. They ARE shorter and that's what I'm trying to acquire.

[Thunderegg]

My next course of action is to visit the junk yards, or my last resort would be to have some mounts made. ugghh!

[hotrod_chevyz]

so thumpr,you have a 350 again?

and on the motor mounts,they make shorter mounts for my 350 too,and i tried them cause it was the only way to fit an air cleaner on my 350 since it has a high rise edelbrock intake,and carter afb carb.

I broke three short mounts in two months,so i had to put the bigger mounts back in it.When the third mount broke it broke the transmission tail housing too,and warped the little would be crossmember .Not only that but you can see where the carb stud put a reverse dent right in the middle of my hood..I have since learned my lesson with the short rubber mounts,and put in the taller more ruggedly designed mounts.They havent given me any problems since.But i have to deal with the motor sitting up so high i cant run an air cleaner on it.

Now that im putting a pontiac 400 in it,i have found the carb is going to stick out of the hood,like thumpr said the fan and possibly a pully too will also stand up too high.The radiator the engine calls for is two inches higher,and two inches wider,so im going to have to do some cutting and welding.Might even have to break out my trusty 10 pound sledge to do some adjustments.

A hood scoop can look pretty cool and will fix the clearance problems i have,but if you can find some durable short mounts i would say go for it but if they look at all flimsy compared to what you have,keep looking unless you like to change engine mounts.

[hotrod_chevyz]

btw i realise your talking about the *block mounts* but the shorter block mounts require a totally different lower mount,and your lower mounts you have will not fit the shorter block mount.Go get some and you will see what i mean.They miss by like a 1/4 inch,the shorter mounts are wider

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by hotrod_chevyz

So what your saying is for him to go get a smaller/weaker mount thats going to break under the load of a 400?If he puts any smaller mounts on it,they will be breaking left and right but what do i know im the guy with the hood scoop idea.

??? What I'm saying is he needs to put the correct factory mounts in, and they won't break, tsss.
!!!
They didn't break under a 455 engine and they won't break under his engine.

[volkerc]

Originally Posted by Thunderegg

My next course of action is to visit the junk yards, or my last resort would be to have some mounts made. ugghh!

I can give you phone number of someone who has a lot of firebird parts, pretty sure he can help, as he is into racing those also...

[pontiacpmpn]

Originally Posted by Thunderegg

The top of my 2-bbl Rochester sits almost level with the shaker hole. I went out just a bit ago and sat the filter on the carb, didn't even come close to shutting the hood. Is there such a thing as shorter block mounts for the 400?

You might be able to leave it the way it is depending on how much space you need... they have this sweet lookin 4" Cowl Induction hood on ebay right now, it might fit with this hood... http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/ws/eB...952571383&rd=1
It costs 400 bucks though. I'm considering getting it for my 79 Firebird, just cause it looks sweet...