Engine: Question' dial indicating a 6 cyl?

[Orestudeguy]

This is a first for me and got to thinking about it so I am asking.
I am getting ready to replace the dead 185 (replacement engine) in my wife's 1951 Starlight coupe. It is a 6 cyl with an automatic behind it. The car has a worn out 185 reolacement engine in it and I am replacing it with a rebuilt original 1951 Champion engine.
The rebuilt engine was a manual trans ( i know i have to shorten or swap the flywheel bolts).
The question is on the engine coming out of the car has a steel plate with dowel (?) pins in it. And the plate bolts to the block. I am aware of having to dial indicate V/8's
Can the plate be swapped from the old engine to the rebuilt engine and be in alignment? Or, do I still have to dial indicate the trans to the engine?

[BobPalma]

George: You must dial-indicate sixes as well as V8s.

In this case, it is even more important because the car will have an automatic transmission. Automatic-transmission cars are more susceptible to block alignment issues because the flex plates are relatively fragile.

Poor alignment in a manual-transmission car will cause problems, especially over time, but will not leave you dead on the road with a busted flex plare or an unusual noise you can't find no matter what you do (a cracked flex plate still driving the car.) BP

[Orestudeguy]

Bob, Thank you for your prompt reply.
If I remove the steel plate that has the alingment pins (dowels) from the old engine to the new engine, it seems to me that I should not have to dial indicate.
Was there that much difference in the drilled and tapped mounting holes in the back of the block from engine to engine?

[studeski]

This is a very interesting question since the 6 cyl bellhousing doesn't have dowel pins for alignment. The bolt holes in the bellhousing are bigger than the bolts. Also you have to use a 169 bellhousing plate. The 185 won't work.

[BobPalma]

What Studeski (Claude) said, George. BP

[Orestudeguy]

Guess that answers my questions,
Thank you Bob & Claude