I installed a Unisteer Rack and Pinion and it bolted in great and looks great.

But for some reason I have a problem with the oil pan hitting on top of the rack, and according to Unisteer it shouldn't be and they've never had issues. I have a one piece rubber pan gasket and a moroso 7 qt pan. I installed two washers between the motor mount and block which solves the problem but I shouldn't have to do that so I'm still searching to see if there's is something else not right.

Anyone installed a Unisteer R&P in a 3rd Gen Nova? Any issues with the oil pan? I installed a 700R4 trans with a bowtie overdrive crossmemeber. Wondering if this is creating my clearance issue?

Thanks...

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd149/haymel69/CopyofRP011.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd149/haymel69/CopyofRP014.jpg

http://i223.photobucket.com/albums/dd149/haymel69/CopyofRP005.jpg

The only way your tranny crossmember would affect the installation is if it drops the rear of the tranny down lower. That engine mount also looks a little weird, but I'm more familiar with Poncho mounts for first gen Firebirds since that is what I am using in my car.

how easy did the motor line to those motor mount holes

how easy did the motor line to those motor mount holes

Hey strtlegal:

Motor slid in great. I still have the original motor mounts and compared them to the energy suspension mounts, they're identical. I've been wondering if it's as simple as the pan gasket being to thick? I used one fo those one piece heavy rubber ones. I really have come to the conclusion that I'm not going to waste much time on this one because in the end I think the solution will be the same. The small spacer between the motor and motor mount...:mad:. Not thrilled but what else is left.

Cool pictures with the plane, love those.


http://s223.photobucket.com/albums/dd149/haymel69/

Chad are you going to leave the washers or replace them with a plate the same shape as the motor mount?

chad i looked at my car last night for you yet again no measurements but my rack sits about a 1/4-1/2" from the pan, the vent tube that goes from boot to boot is real close..my pan is a generic make that my engine builder uses identical to yours ( front is stock and the rear is sumped) as well i am using a thick one piece gasket...this is the deal, unbolt the tranny from the cross member shove a jack under it jack it up and see if this doesnt lift up your pan from the rack, if it does then you have a caddy-wampis crossmember if it doesnt i hate to say it but ditch the oil pan or make clearance...

i dont know if your a new comer to the world of hot rods so dont take this offensive because i learned my lesson 10 fold, but when unisteer says they havent had an issue doesnt mean jack crap! i dont know how many times ive had something say " replaces stock" or "fits with no modifications"..hell my tranny pan was a hair bigger than my stock one but i still had to take a little off my trans crossmember..this was just for an trans pan!!!

every car is different esp as old as they are...

Haven't received any other ideas from Unisteer so I'm pretty much over it at this point. I plan on making a plate to replace the washers and just going with that. I did jack the trans up and it gave me a little more room but not much so I put it back where it was.

I know what you're saying about old cars and new parts. Just seems so simple that there should be an answer why I have the only car that has this problem when it comes to using a Unisteer R&P....Got me. I'm moving on.

Installed the factory A/C/heater box last weekend and I'm starting to work on installing the American Autowire wire harness.

ill order one of those autowire kits once it gets colder outside, but rite now its on the road and the weather is great