engine alignment - what happens if out of true

[s1.5f]

Just out of interest what problems are there if a front mounted rwd engine has its mounts slightly out of line ie so the engine would be very slightly skewed in the engine bay? Would the propshaft joint cope or would it cause real problems here or elsewhere?

[Matthew-TMM]

Propshafts usually have universal joints anyway, so slight changes in alignment shouldn't be a problem anyway (I think).

[GreenV8S]

A small misalignment doesn't seem to matter, I've seen front engine/rwd cars with the engines offset several inches to the side and twisted several degrees, with no apparent problems. Try to minimise it though just to be polite.

[KITT]

I seem to remember reading that it's actually better for universal joints to be very slightly off true (i.e. not dead straight). No idea if that's rubbish though.

[GreenV8S]

KITT said:

I seem to remember reading that it's actually better for universal joints to be very slightly off true (i.e. not dead straight). No idea if that's rubbish though.

No, it's very true.

[s1.5f]

Thanks guys

[Hirich]

If you mean deliberately (designed to be) misaligned, many front-engined single-seaters have done this successfully. I have some recollection that you do need to consider joints, but you need some historic racing books to get the full story.

If you mean accidentally misaligned, then consider engine and gearbox mounts. These will not be compressed properly. Durability may be compromised, and you will find noise transmission into the bodyshell increases significantly.