California Hauler - Part X: Powerplants and Pinion Angles

In the California Hauler, we checked the angle of the stock pinion and found it to be zero degrees (parallel to the ground). We'll look for a set of three-degree wedges that will fit between the spring pad and the leaf springs to give the housing its correct upward angle.

We then placed the degree finder on the intake manifold (the manifold and trans output shaft run parallel) and saw it read four degrees upward angle. Gary then raised the front of the engine until the degree finder read downward three degrees to mirror the desired angle of the pinion shaft before working on locating the engine mounts.

Dagel then created a cardboard template of what the engine mount's shape would need to be.

Here's the basic engine mount tacked together and without its support brace (to be added next).

The completed engine mount gets one final fitment check before it gets welded together.

Dagel dons his welder's helmet and finishes welding in the engine mounts.

After a quick coat of primer, this is what the finished engine mount looks like.

One of the common complaints people have about Ford engines is that something (a crossmember, steering, or exhaust part) always seems to interfere with the stock oil filter location.

Ford solved the problem by making a remote adapter that relocates the filter elsewhere, but you can also notch the chassis if need be. To do this, I first marked the area that needed to be notched.

I then cut that section with the bump out, and turned the piece over so the bump was now a "dent."

After I welded the piece back in and ground it down, you might think the divot in the frame came that way from the factory-it didn't.