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Thread: MK4 Transmission Alignment

  1. #1
    Senior Member lewma's Avatar
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    MK4 Transmission Alignment

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    We installed our Coyote / TKO600 yesterday into the chassis. It all went fine until we got to the point of installing the driveshaft. It seems that we need some kind of spacer installed on the rear of the transmission to bring the driveshaft into alignment and stop it hitting on the frame as it's doing now.

    What is everyone recommending for spacers in this case ?

    thanks!
    mark
    Build 1: Mk4 Complete Kit #9312 Ordered 1/27/18, Delivered 3/24/18, CA SB100 Registered 9/11/19 - Gen 2 Coyote TKO600, IRS, Power Steering, Wilwood Brakes, 17" Halibrand
    Build 2: Gen3 Coupe Complete Kit #309 Ordered 1/25/21, Delivered 6/9/21 - BluePrint GM 427 LS T56, IRS, AC, Power Steering

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    Boydster's Avatar
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    I started off with stacks of washers so I could adjust the height, especially when setting driveshaft angles. When done and all is good, you can order some aluminum block or spacers in the correct thickness.
    ---Boyd---
    MkIV #9042 build thread
    www.boss427.us
    427W, TKO600, Moser 3.55 rear.
    Delivered Feb 2017, Graduated Nov 4, 2019

  3. #3
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
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    Had that exact combination (Coyote, TKO, IRS) in #8674. A 3/4-inch thick spacer was just right. Made it out of a piece of aluminum from McMaster. Just visible in the second picture.



    Build 1: Mk3 Roadster #5125. Sold 11/08/2014. Build 2: Mk4 Roadster #7750. Sold 04/10/2017. Build Thread
    Build 3: Mk4 Roadster 20th Anniversary #8674. Sold 09/07/2020. Build Thread and Video. Build 4: Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe #59. Gen 3 Coyote. Legal 03/04/2020. Build Thread and Video
    Build 5: 35 Hot Rod Truck #138. LS3 and 4L65E auto. Rcvd 01/05/2021. Legal 04/20/2023. Build Thread. Sold 11/9/2023.

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    Senior Member lewma's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Boydster View Post
    I started off with stacks of washers so I could adjust the height, especially when setting driveshaft angles. When done and all is good, you can order some aluminum block or spacers in the correct thickness.
    Sounds good thanks. Did you run into any issues with lateral alignment ? Seems like the engine/transmission is lining up a little off center left/right ?
    Build 1: Mk4 Complete Kit #9312 Ordered 1/27/18, Delivered 3/24/18, CA SB100 Registered 9/11/19 - Gen 2 Coyote TKO600, IRS, Power Steering, Wilwood Brakes, 17" Halibrand
    Build 2: Gen3 Coupe Complete Kit #309 Ordered 1/25/21, Delivered 6/9/21 - BluePrint GM 427 LS T56, IRS, AC, Power Steering

  5. #5
    Senior Member lewma's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by edwardb View Post
    Had that exact combination (Coyote, TKO, IRS) in #8674. A 3/4-inch thick spacer was just right. Made it out of a piece of aluminum from McMaster. Just visible in the second picture.



    Thanks Paul! I think I may swing by Home Depot on the way home and pick up some aluminum bar. I'll get it in 1/4" thickness then stack them as needed. You think this should be ok ?
    Build 1: Mk4 Complete Kit #9312 Ordered 1/27/18, Delivered 3/24/18, CA SB100 Registered 9/11/19 - Gen 2 Coyote TKO600, IRS, Power Steering, Wilwood Brakes, 17" Halibrand
    Build 2: Gen3 Coupe Complete Kit #309 Ordered 1/25/21, Delivered 6/9/21 - BluePrint GM 427 LS T56, IRS, AC, Power Steering

  6. #6
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lewma View Post
    Thanks Paul! I think I may swing by Home Depot on the way home and pick up some aluminum bar. I'll get it in 1/4" thickness then stack them as needed. You think this should be ok ?
    Sure. That works. Just cut/drill three times instead of once.
    Build 1: Mk3 Roadster #5125. Sold 11/08/2014. Build 2: Mk4 Roadster #7750. Sold 04/10/2017. Build Thread
    Build 3: Mk4 Roadster 20th Anniversary #8674. Sold 09/07/2020. Build Thread and Video. Build 4: Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe #59. Gen 3 Coyote. Legal 03/04/2020. Build Thread and Video
    Build 5: 35 Hot Rod Truck #138. LS3 and 4L65E auto. Rcvd 01/05/2021. Legal 04/20/2023. Build Thread. Sold 11/9/2023.

  7. #7
    Boydster's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lewma View Post
    Sounds good thanks. Did you run into any issues with lateral alignment ? Seems like the engine/transmission is lining up a little off center left/right ?
    I dont have a Coyote nor IRS, so any comments from me on equipment would be pointless. But the stack of washers worked well as an adjustable shim until things got finaled up.
    ---Boyd---
    MkIV #9042 build thread
    www.boss427.us
    427W, TKO600, Moser 3.55 rear.
    Delivered Feb 2017, Graduated Nov 4, 2019

  8. #8
    Senior Member CraigS's Avatar
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    I have had a stack of washers in mine for 9 yrs and all is well. Your 1/4 aluminum stack would be even better. BTW, the engine/trans are definitely not centered in the frame.
    FFR MkII, 408W, Tremec TKO 500, 2015 IRS, DA QA1s, Forte front bar, APE hardtop.

  9. #9
    Senior Member edwardb's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lewma View Post
    Did you run into any issues with lateral alignment ? Seems like the engine/transmission is lining up a little off center left/right ?
    Not an issue. The engine/transmission is designed to be offset to the right. Somewhere in the 1 to 1-1/2 inches range. Totally normal and intentional. You'll notice the differential connection for the driveshaft is offset a similar amount. Also normal due to the offset of the pinion to the ring gear. BTW, many DD's with the same drivetrain configuration are the same way.
    Build 1: Mk3 Roadster #5125. Sold 11/08/2014. Build 2: Mk4 Roadster #7750. Sold 04/10/2017. Build Thread
    Build 3: Mk4 Roadster 20th Anniversary #8674. Sold 09/07/2020. Build Thread and Video. Build 4: Gen 3 Type 65 Coupe #59. Gen 3 Coyote. Legal 03/04/2020. Build Thread and Video
    Build 5: 35 Hot Rod Truck #138. LS3 and 4L65E auto. Rcvd 01/05/2021. Legal 04/20/2023. Build Thread. Sold 11/9/2023.

  10. #10
    Senior Member jlfernan's Avatar
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    Forte has those spacers in 1/4" increments.

  11. #11
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    Ditto, I got my spacers from Mike Forte
    “Privateer”
    289 USRRC Chassis #9188 p/u 9/11/2017 Go kart 3/18/2018, road legal 6/16/2018
    Ford full roller 306 built by my son and me Holley Sniper EFI
    TKO600 2015 IRS 3:55. 17” FFR Hallibrand replicas, Power steering
    FFR Vintage instruments, Wipers and Heat/defrost
    Lots of parts and advice from Mike Forte & Mark Reynolds (Breeze Automotive)

  12. #12
    Senior Member phileas_fogg's Avatar
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    If you've got a Metco drive shaft safety loop, don't be surprised if the spacer you put under the tail of the transmission requires you to put spacers between the hoop and the frame. You'll also need longer bolts. The picture below is for my T5, but you get the idea.

    Cheers,


    John

    IMG_3369 by jhsitton, on Flickr
    MK IV Roadster #8631
    Ford 302, Holley Terminator EFI, T5z, 3.55 Rear End, IRS, 17” Halibrand Replicas (9” front, 10.5” rear), Nitto 555 G2’s (275/40ZR17 front, 315/35ZR17 rear), Fast Freddie’s Power Steering, F5 Wilwood Brakes, FFMetal’s Firewall Forward, Forte’s Hydraulic Clutch & Throttle Linkage
    https://www.ffcars.com/threads/phile.../#post-4776313

  13. #13
    Senior Member lewma's Avatar
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    thanks everyone for the feedback, I went to Lowes today and picked up aluminum bar and some longer bolts too. Should work out fine
    Build 1: Mk4 Complete Kit #9312 Ordered 1/27/18, Delivered 3/24/18, CA SB100 Registered 9/11/19 - Gen 2 Coyote TKO600, IRS, Power Steering, Wilwood Brakes, 17" Halibrand
    Build 2: Gen3 Coupe Complete Kit #309 Ordered 1/25/21, Delivered 6/9/21 - BluePrint GM 427 LS T56, IRS, AC, Power Steering

  14. #14
    Senior Member bill3422's Avatar
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    Trans.jpg
    I just used a 1"x 1" tube. Cut the ends at en angle to make it easier to get in to fasten it down.
    Bill3422

    MK4 - 302/347 Stroker - AFR Heads - 400 Hp

  15. #15
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    Quote Originally Posted by lewma View Post
    Thanks Paul! I think I may swing by Home Depot on the way home and pick up some aluminum bar. I'll get it in 1/4" thickness then stack them as needed. You think this should be ok ?
    I used 1/4” spacers stacked. No problems after 3K miles. You will need longer bolts.
    Doug
    FFR 7995
    347 SBF Prestige Mototsports, Moser 8.8 (3.31) 3 Link, TKO 600, Nitto 555s, 17" Halibrands, PS, AC, Heat, Color Redfire Pearl, with Wimbledon White Stripes

  16. #16
    David aka Ducky2009 Ducky2009's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by lewma View Post
    thanks everyone for the feedback, I went to Lowes today and picked up aluminum bar and some longer bolts too. Should work out fine
    Food for thought.... Bolt the spacers between the trans and trans mount. If you ever need to pull the trans, they won't fall out.... don't have to worry about where they go.

    Second thing. As you're doing this, look at the engine oil pan in relation to the 4" frame rails. I originally installed a 1/4" shim, enough to keep the drive shaft from hitting the frame. As I was installing the headers, I realized the oil pan was below the frame. Increasing to 3/4" spacer brought the oil pan above the bottom of the frame.
    Last edited by Ducky2009; 07-13-2018 at 10:29 AM.
    MK4 Build #9035 Delivered 2/17/17, First Start & Go-Kart 6/2/17, Licensed 9/1/17
    Paint - Lightning Blue Metallic, No Hood Scoop, No Stripes
    Gen 2 Coyote Engine & TKO-600. Solid Axle, 8.8-3.55, Power Steering, Power Brakes, Dual Roll Bars
    Heater and Glove Box, Drop Trunk, Wipers, Radio, FFR Vintage Gauges, Custom Dash
    Build Thread: http://thefactoryfiveforum.com/showt...MK4-Build-9035

  17. #17
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    Used the same thing on mine.
    Chuck Krueger
    MK4 Kit - Picked up 4/5/14, Complete Kit, 3-Link, Wilwood upgrade, Coyote, TKO 500, First Start 7/25/15
    2000 C5
    2003 C5 Z06
    2007 C5 Z06

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