1966 corvette, engine off set ?

[cheesehomer]

i have a 1966 corvette with a 350 engine, it drives very straight and well. I have not noticed it, but with the hood off and standing about 3 or 4 feet in front of the car i notice the engine is not straight in line with the fire wall and nose of the car, it seems that the water pump is towards the passenger side. The frame is in excellent shape no rust or rot and the car tracts straight. The distance from the wheel tread to the fender lip is the same on both sides. Has this car been hit in the front or is the engine from the factory on an off set? :confused:
Thank you

[Bob Weiss]

I think I would have this Looked at by a knowledgeable Corvetter (Maybe Don Lemek would diagnose it for you). I also assume the centerline of the carb doesn't line up with the center of the car ?? It should centered. Could be a bad engine mount(s), bad trans mount or bad frame/body mounts or ???

[carboman]

If the wheels are in line with the body I'd check the engine and trans mounts.

[cheesehomer]

so it is not an off set because of the steering box.
Does anyone have a pic of a 63 to 67 small block engine from the front without the hood on that they can post ?
thankyou:(:confused: worried that this car was hit bad.

[carboman]

so it is not an off set because of the steering box.
Does anyone have a pic of a 63 to 67 small block engine from the front without the hood on that they can post ?
thankyou:(:confused: worried that this car was hit bad.

Here are some C2 engine shots. Notice how the ignition shielding lines up with the firewall. I'd be happy to take a look at the car for you. Maybe you can bring it by the meeting this Thursday and we can look at it. Get there around 6:30 so we have time and daylight.

[cheesehomer]

I'd love to, but I'm in Toronto, Canada. the picture's are nice too, but i need to see it straight on without the hood. My carb lines up to the firewall where the centre shield would be, but seems to turn at the front of the engine (water pump) towards the passenger side. Not sure if it was done to off set the steering box or the front nose of the car was fix to cover up damage...or was the frame pushed to one side, but without the hood off , you never would have know it.

[carboman]

I'd love to, but I'm in Toronto, Canada. the picture's are nice too, but i need to see it straight on without the hood. My carb lines up to the firewall where the centre shield would be, but seems to turn at the front of the engine (waterpump) towards the passenger side. Not sure if it was done to off set the steering box or the front nose of the car was fix to cover up damage...or was the frame pushed to one side, but without the hood off , you never would have know it.

Toronto would be a long drive. If I come up with a "hood off" photo I'll post it. Take the car to a body shop and have them put it on rack to check the frame alignment.

[Rick and Arleen Ball]

All of the Mid Year engines are offset to one side (passenger), BUT not on an angle.
Your 66 may have been in a front end collision at one point in time.
Years ago the frame pulling was not as exact as it is today.
The front end was most likely aligned to track straight.
Take a tape and check center of wheel to center of wheel front to rear on both sides.
Having a crooked out of line motor could cause problems with throttle linkage hanging up. Get it on a lift and check the space between the trans. tailshaft and the inside of your frame rails on each side.
If you get a copy of Noland Adams book on Restoring a C-2. I believe there are photos of a rolling chassis with the motor/trans installed. You will see the offset.