I have a '69 Malibu with a 4 wheel disc brakes and a 1984 454 from a C3500 Dually. Big engine. I just had the front end rebuilt. The car steers fine with no apparent inteference. But when I got the car up on a rack for another reason, I saw that the oil pan is right on top of the center link. Maybe a piece of paper would slide between the two. The motor mounts are fine. Again, driving you wouldn't be able to tell that the center link has any interference.

What amount of clearance is necessary between the oil pan and the centerlink?

What is the best fix? I don't think a motor mount shim would be good as there isn't much clearance left between the air cleaner and hood.

Are there custom centerlinks available that have a deeper bend to clear the oil pan?

Thanks for any help.

I had this problem on my 70 Chevelle. I also own a 67 Chevelle and when I was building the 70 I had a extra set of BB motor mounts (the ones that bolt to the block) from the 67. I used those mounts and the engine dropped right in and everything bolted up perfect, but I later noticed that the engine was real close to the center drag link. I then found out that 68-72 BB motor mounts have a thicker rubber mount therefore the engine sets a little higher. I know you said you don't think its the mounts but make sure you have the right year mounts.

Did you use the oil pan that was used in the truck? The correct Chevelle oil pan will likely provide the extra clearance you need. Not all big block oil pans are the same. Chevelle big block oil pans can be recognized by two dimples in the sides for tie rod clearance.

I will check the motor mounts. Again there isn't much hood clearance to work with.

I don't know if the oil pan is for a truck or a Malibu. The guy I bought the car from had all the work done when the engine was installed.

I know that an engine will move slightly with hard acceleration and with the road. What is the absolute minumum clearance necessary between the centerlink and oil pan?

Also, anyone know about the possiblity of a deeper centerlink?

Thanks again.

Howe Racing makes an adjustable center link, it has height adjustable ball joints. However, adjusting the height of the center link will have an effect on your suspension geometry, so you need to know what you're doing. It's also pretty expensive at something like +200$.