Frame height, why should it be where it is?

[maddog]

There is a thread on this forum about "laying rocker". Thats a popular look but it has its drawbacks. Mainly its unsafe in certain circumstances.

I am (still) laying out my build. Deciding how high the frame should be is one of the things I am pondering currently, along with how low should the oil and trans pans be.

Since I'm gonna want to drive it quite a bit I think something a little more practical is in order. Yeah, I know, I'm getting old.

Right now I have the frame raked slightly lower in the front. Its lowest point is about 5 inches off the ground. The engine is mocked up to be no lower at the drain plug than the frame. This makes good sense to me but I honestly dont know what the conventonal wisdom is here.

What have some of you done and how have you addressed these issues?
Does your oil pan drain plug hang below the frame?

Just something I have been wondering about. I'm sure you guys have done and seen it all. What are your thoughts?

Thanks and Merry Christmas

 

[donsrods]

Your clearances are pretty good Maddog. My T is lower than that and I have no problems getting over speedbumps and potholes. My lowest spot is about 3 1/2 inches.

You also have to remember that your car will settle down once all the stuff is on it, and also once you start driving it. Mine has gone down another inch since it has been on the road.

Smart idea about the drain plug being that high. It will be somewhat protected at that height.

Merry Christmas to you too.

Don

 

[Gastrick]

Maddog, it depends on the car I'm building as to where I set the engine height at. One thing to consider on a small car like your Topo is interior space at the firewall. The higher and farther back you set the engine/trans the less foot room you have at the pedals because of the large trans tunnel. I had to be careful with this on My Anglia. If I'm building a really low car, I'll set the engine/trans higher in the chassis. If I'm building a car with plenty of ride height, I just set it high enough to clear the front crossmember and any other components that are an issue. It's all on a case by case basis for me and sometimes the final dimensions are a compromise based on the priority of several needs.

 

[maddog]

Thanks Don and Gastrick

Ok, I'm feeling pretty good about it. Don, yours is much lower, maybe I will come down a smidge.

I fully understand the compromise you mentioned, Gastrick. Not much room for the feet and the steering box (trying for cowl steer) is going to be something like I have never seen. Just no room. That BBC is a big motor. As far as forward and back location for the motor, it cant go forward anymore or I would have to relocate the radiator and thats with a remote water pump! That leaves me just a few, maybe 5" between the motor and the dash.

 

[donsrods]

One thing that might help Maddog is to put a turbo 350 behind it, they are more than adequate if prepped, and a whole lot smaller than a turbo 400. I don't recall which one you are using though.

Don

 

[Bonehead]

I have seen skid plates built that cover the oil pan on some really low rides, and if done right, look very cool. I'll look for pictures!

 

[35Mastr]

If all possible,I would keep the oil pan and trans pan within the rails.I dont know if you can though.It may end up over the cowl.

 

[donsrods]

Yeah, I had to go high with the engine in my T and I'm glad I did. When the car settled down the pan is closer than I envisioned as it is. Any lower and it would have been an issue.

Don

 

[maddog]

Thanks for the help guys.

Yes I am using a 350.
A skid plate or even a bellypan with a skid plate is an interesting idea.

 

[Gastrick]

Maddog, here's a dirty bottom shot of my Anglia. I planted the engine so that the oil pan is about 3/4 of an inch above the front crossmember.

 

[Gastrick]

The car doesn't sit as high as it appears to in the above pic, This is ride height.

 

[maddog]

Maddog, here's a dirty bottom shot of my Anglia. I planted the engine so that the oil pan is about 3/4 of an inch above the front crossmember.

Thanks, I like that idea.

"Dirty bottom shot"???
Check your glasses, looks great to me.