Engine question

[Sacotool]

Last week I was having some service done on my vehicle, so my mechanic gave me his loaner car to use. It was an early 90's Eagle Premier. It was a pretty decent vehicle, considering it's the mechanics beater car. Anyway, I popped the hood on this thing, and I noticed the belts were facing front, towards the radiator. Isn't that how the engine faces on a rear drive car? I didn't go under the car and look, but I'm pretty certain this is a front wheel driver. Can anyone explain this?

 

Gotta' be either Rear- or All-wheel drive! It's not just front, that's for sure.

 

[Sacotool]

You're probably right about all-wheel drive, I forgot about that possibility.

 

[thedarkwolf]

I can't remember if that car is fwd or rwd but Dodge Intrepids have their engines mounted that way and are fwd. Its been awhile since I looked under the hood of one but I guess the engine was far enough forward that the front axles were able to enter the sides of the transmision. Lots of mid and rear engine mounted vehicles have the trans mounted right between the axles so its not that uncommon.