Shorty Headers & Pinion Angle?

[FordNut]

Just throwing it out there for discussion...

Lots of shorty header installations involve shimming the motor mounts so the headers clear the steering shaft. That will change the angle of the transmission yoke. It may be a slight change, but it is still a change.

The transmission yoke and rear end pinion yoke should be parallel. Anybody ever considered that when shimming the motor mounts?

I know once upon a time we had some custom rear control arms made that altered the pinion angle slightly and it was a major topic of discussion, but the motor mount shims have a similar effect and the subject has not been discussed at all...

[musclemerc]

Never thought about it but, some LT's require the same mods. Maybe others will chime in

[blazen71]

I've had to change the pinion angle on my Blazer multiple times, with success. I used a magnetic protractor butted up on the end of the pinion and output shaft. To me that seems like a crude way of doing it, but it always works. I bet a couple of washers under the motor mount wouldn't hurt. You would probably notice a vibration when you let off the gas, i.e. go from drive to coast, if there was an angle problem.

[fastblackmerc]

My motors was only raised .25 inches when the shorties were installed by Grand Muffler.

[Smokie]

Mine was raised with a 1/8" washer, driver side only. The car is 8 years old and has about 100 1/4 mile passes and 52,000 miles.

If it caused any harm, I am not aware of it.

[Brian H]

i raised my motor 3/8ths, and its now more inline than before! Also, the air susp. could have an affect on angle.

[FordNut]

i raised my motor 3/8ths, and its now more inline than before! Also, the air susp. could have an affect on angle.

Have you ever put a level on top of the engine? I do not have any shims under the motor mounts and have to jack the rear end of the car up about a foot so the blower is level. Then the oil in the blower gearbox shows up in the sight glass. Normally the engine is tilted back so far it looks like the blower lube is empty.

[TooManyFords]

Seriously, who would ever argue about something so trivial as a pinion angle. :P

If I had that issue, I would also shim the transmission mount the same amount as the engine thus keeping everything parallel. (but that's just me!)

[Joe Walsh]

Seems everyone has a different 'pinion' on this subject!...:P

[-Matt-]

How dare you question the all mighty shorty headers!!!!

[musclemerc]

How dare you question the all mighty shorty headers!!!!

And let's not forget those $1000.00 + dollar LT's that need the same shims Matt!

[FordNut]

And let's not forget those $1000.00 + dollar LT's that need the same shims Matt!

I've installed 3 different sets of Kooks and never used shims.

Then again I can also pull my starter without removing the header, a feat many claim is impossible.

[Krytin]

I have adjustable rear lower control arms for just such a condition!

[Joe Walsh]

I've installed 3 different sets of Kooks and never used shims.

Then again I can also pull my starter without removing the header, a feat many claim is impossible.

LOL...
It can be done. (I've actually done it.)

Just don't ask me to recall the exact "start it nose first, push it up, then spin it, then drop it half way back down, then flip it over, then rotate it 1/4, then put it into the bellhousing, then wonder how to reach the 3rd bolt" sequence!
When you are done you can also inspect the damage that you've done to the header's ceramic coating...:(

[LeoVampire]

Over time your motor and tranny mounts start to squat down so little by little the angle is changing on it's own anyways.

Buy a new stock motor mount and take out one of yours and see the difference already since the car was built.

Every fraction of an inch of change on one end adds up to a lot more down the line.

[ImpalaSlayer]

LOL...
It can be done. (I've actually done it.)

Just don't ask me to recall the exact "start it nose first, push it up, then spin it, then drop it half way back down, then flip it over, then rotate it 1/4, then put it into the bellhousing, then wonder how to reach the 3rd bolt" sequence!
When you are done you can also inspect the damage that you've done to the header's ceramic coating...:(

i tried that and it didnt work, except for the last part :mad2: