Tall Motor Syndrome

[Nomadtrash]

I've got an 88 Mustang with a 302. It has an Edlebrock performer EFI with a BBK throttle body and spacer. The motor also has motorsport solid motor mounts. I'm having a problem with the intake manifold plenum hitting the hood as well as the plug on the idle air soleniod. The upper radiator hose is almost touching. To me is seems like the motor is sitting too high in the engine compartment. There is pretty good clearance between the oil pan and the steering rack. The rack has been raised.

I'm wondering if the motor mounts have raised the motor in the engine compartment. The C5 tranny mount is close to 2 inches forward of the transmission cross member. This car was set up for a stick before I got it and I'm not sure if there is a different cross member, tranny mount, or something else that goes with a C5 to make it fit right.

I was going to cut the motor mounts and weld them back together but thought I would ask the knowlege base. What could be wrong that makes the motor so high and the tranny mount not line up?

Thanks,

[greenbullitt]

Use holcomb drop solid mounts

[351Coupe]

Damn, never heard of a 302 having a problem like that in a fox, even with a spacer. Are you sure it's not a 351w?

Got any pics?
Did you use 'vert mounts? They sit a little lower. I use them in all my foxes.

[Nomadtrash]

I'm using solid mounts. I have a set of stock mounts and a set of polyurethane mounts. All of them measure around 3-3/4" from the bottom of the mount to the engine bolt location. I'm thinking there could be something going on with the k-member. I researched this car which was a road race car before I got it. The previous owner said:

"K-member has the maximum amount of engine set-back for A-Sedan. It has been fully bump steered.
The chassis was laser aligned, and supposed to be straight as an arrow, and the cage was done by a pro shop in Tx someplace."


I think they may have monkeyed with the k-member to get the bump steer geometry to work right. It looks like it may have been sectioned and welded. All the seems are fully welded. It looks stock at first glance.

[black50]

there must be something up with the k-memeber. If anything, solid mounts will drop the motor..not raise it???

[Nomadtrash]

It's kind of a mess. It is a project under construction. Click on a photo and to go to webshots and then click on the full size icon to see a full size photo.

See the intake and the idle air bypass stick up pretty high







Looks like they cut and welded around the slot


Drivers side header is touching the motor mount


Drivers side header goes around the steering shaft and is really close to the u-joint.


Not sure if this is what a fox k-member is supposed to look like.


The motor went in pretty easy with the core support cut out. I made a bracket to bolt it back in.

[92lxstang]

It looks like you have your IAC valve upside down is the reason why the plug is hitting the hood. The electrical connector should point down. Like mentioned before, get some drop mounts and be done with it or get a bigger hood.

[Nomadtrash]

There are only two ways to bolt it on. The wires wouldn't reach with the connector down near the header. I hid the injector wire harness under the fuel rail and the wires won't reach that far. I guess I'll splice an extention.

Thanks,

[351Coupe]

Yeah, he's right, it is upside down.

[Nomadtrash]

Found this online.