Help with 454 Crusader Install-Bruce and others?

[John Nardi]

Hi Guys...Just did the mock up with a 454 crusader block and Velvet Drive and find that I have a good deal of room to do the install forward and aft...Is there any rule as to how close I should set the engines to the front engine compartment bulkhead?? Right now I have about 7 inches from the outer flywheel to the bulkhead...Thanks so much...Best, John

[Bruce]

You want fwd enough to be able to service packing glands and shaft flanges yet not too much not be able to service items on front of engine.
Sounds like your good.
Those engines don't have enough iron to affect balance either way.

[John Nardi]

Thanks Very Much for the quick reply Bruce!

[Pete Fallon]

John,
I had my 454's with Hurth 8 degree down angle trannies about 4" from the bulkhead the previous owner had drilled holes in the bulkheads in front of the fly wheel and alternator pulleys for access from the inside of the head and back of the dinette seat backs.The couplers for the shafts were just inside the engine boxes. My shafts were at a 8 degree angle and were only 96'' long from the coupler to the end of the prop nut tapper. The further forward the better for weight distribution as the center of gravity is midship just behind the cabin bulkhead.
Pete Fallon

[John Nardi]

Thanks Pete!