Intake Duct Alignment?

[C4CAMS]

Forgive me if I'm using incorrect terminology:



I'm looking at a '90 with 83k miles. There is a noticeable misalignment between the engine intake and the plastic air filter ductwork, as shown by the S-bend in the flexible duct just ahead of the engine intake. Every other LT-5 I've seen looks well aligned in this respect. This caught my eye and the owner has no explanation. Injectors have been replaced. The plastic parts looked to be mounted correctly above the radiator. The engine didn't seem to be out of position (I looked down past the valve covers on both sides) and it drove well. I thought maybe an engine mount might be worn, but that is usually a noticeable problem while driving.


Anyone else seen this? Should I be concerned?

[efnfast]

I would be concerned

[Vette73]

Check the easy things first.....Remove duct, make sure its not damaged or warped..Make sure its straight......Remove air filter housing, check alignment holes, maybe somebody retapped them? Put everything back straight if possible.....I have never seen that..

[Dynomite]

I would be concerned

Concur......it seems looking at the stencils on the radiator cover.....they are in line correctly with the air filter housing. Either the whole radiator is shifted or the engine is rotated or moved to drivers side. That is definitely not correct alignment.

[G8nightman]

I seen that on a car that was in a accident before

[onethumb]

I'd want to get that up on a lift and look underneath for damage.

If the seller is not trying to hide something, they should be agreeable to a pre-purchase inspection by a mechanic of your choice. Might be the best $150 you ever spend.

[efnfast]

Oh, and welcome to the forum.

[onetinsoldier]

Check inside the drivers door near the hinges , if theres a vin plate there , it may be a rebuilt car . Check the title to see if its a salvaged car .

[Karl]

The engine looks like it is tilted on the driver's side. If not a bad motor mount or simple fix I would pass that car up.

Easy way to check is measure the height from the rear of the plenum with the weather stripping on the windshield.

Good luck.

[Ccmano]

The engine is sitting low in the back too. My money is on engine mounts. A very common issue. This one bad though. I have speculated that most cars that have not yet replaced the mounts are actually driving around on broken mounts.
H
:cheers:

[C4CAMS]

Thanks everyone. My first thought was motor mounts, but I expected to feel some clunking while driving. The car has a clean history and only two owners, both local here in western Washington. I expect it's going to need a clutch pretty soon too.

[Ccmano]

Clutches last an incredibly long time on the these cars unless they are abused. 100k+ is not uncommon.

As for the motor mounts here’s a before and after (and considerable work in between) on mine. Notice how much higher the engine sits now. Also a pic of the mounts I took out.
H
:cheers:

http://a65.tinypic.com/214tjqu.jpg
http://a63.tinypic.com/90q591.jpg
http://a67.tinypic.com/30uflg2.jpg

[GOLDCYLON]

Did you PC that top end Hans ?

[Ccmano]

Did you PC that top end Hans ?

Nope, VHT Flameproof Color and Clear over High temp primer. Here’s a better pic.
H

http://a65.tinypic.com/fuzwh.jpg

[GOLDCYLON]

Nope, VHT Flameproof Color and Clear over High temp primer. Here’s a better pic.
H

http://a65.tinypic.com/fuzwh.jpg

Looks great Hans !