oil pan on cross member is bad?

[steviebsf]

Good day Fiat enthusiasts...
I could use a little of that. Just how bad is a little contact between oil pan and cross member? I can guess but I need to hear it to psyche me up for the third and final part substitution.

Dropped a 2L FI into a 78. Everything went pretty well. Was getting some contact between hood and engine. so picked a 2L hood (big bump). It really doesn't match the width or the curve of my 78 body (the existing hood does).

Picked up the slightly smaller motor mounts from Vicks. clearance on hood, Good. oil pan on cross member, bad.

Is the only solution to sub out the cross member to a later model? does somebody have a different fix. I would like to enjoy driving the car a little. yaknowhatimsayin?

thanks for your ideas, suggestions, comments and donations in cross members or a vacuum advance module (again) or the bottom half of an air box.

[spider2081]

It is my understanding the the engine to cross member clearance is determined by the engine mounts. The engine to hood clearance is determined by the cross member. The 2 liter cross member drops the engine about 1/2 inch more than the earlier cross member. So I think you need to change cross members.

[kmoses]

My oil pan had been hitting the crossmember. When I pulled the engine to replace the oil pan gasket I found a crack in the oil pan about 1" long where it had been rubbing. Hopefully the new motor and transmission mounts will set things right.

[lanciahf]

What part of the engine is hitting? If its the distributor you can go to a block mounted distributor.

[So Cal Mark]

allowing the pan to rub the crossmember will result in a cracked or broken pan

[steviebsf]

thanks everyone. my path is clear. post in parts wanted : )

[wizard124]

Can you add shims between the top of the motor mount and the bottom of the engine block bracket?
Hardware stores/lumberyards carry thick fender/construction washers. Cut some shims from the sidewall of an old tire.

Unless there is just no wiggle room

[rebar1111]

I have a 79 with big bump hood, dual Webers and a turtleback air cleaner. This posed a hood clearance problem. I left the motor mounts stock to eliminate pan interference and reduced the gasket thickness on all intake manifold, carb and air cleaner surfaces. Cut some relief slots in hood reinforcements and was able to get almost complete clearance. Only minor scrapes to air cleaner top and hood persist due to motor mount flexibility when engine rocks. The next try will be to machine 1/8" off of the manifold to carb surface.