The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network - View Single Post - 55-59 Engine Placement Question

Strider · 06-03-2015, 07:50 PM

Hi,

Currently building a 57 GMC truck and having issues with engine placement in terms of the distributor hitting the firewall and potential for the TH350 not going to fit. Pics show issues.

I put in a sbc in the truck using a Trans Dapt motor mount kit. I based the placement of the engine. To determine placement, I bolted a cast bellhousing to the back of the engine, then bolted that down to the stock bellhousing crossmember ( as I was going to use a 5 speed before). Then I leveled the engine intake and bolted the Trans Dapt motor mounts to the frame. Engine fan is sitting 5 inches from rad. Large HEI GM distributor touches firewall with cab bolted back down. TH350 trans that I am now going to use seems that it will be a tight fit under the floor. Pics show this. Trans needs to come up another 2 inches and go forward another 1 inch or so.

Question is, did I make a mistake basing the placement of the engine off the bellhousing crossmember (which is now removed so that the auto trans can go in)?
What distributor should I use?

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Trans Dapt mounts

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firewall / trans pic

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Any thoughts or help would be sincerely appreciated. My "expertise" is 67-72 trucks. I'm still learning on the TF ones!

Cheers! Enjoy your build.

06-03-2015, 07:50 PM	#1
Strider Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Thunder Bay, Ontario Posts: 94	55-59 Engine Placement Question - V8 Swap Hi, Currently building a 57 GMC truck and having issues with engine placement in terms of the distributor hitting the firewall and potential for the TH350 not going to fit. Pics show issues. I put in a sbc in the truck using a Trans Dapt motor mount kit. I based the placement of the engine. To determine placement, I bolted a cast bellhousing to the back of the engine, then bolted that down to the stock bellhousing crossmember ( as I was going to use a 5 speed before). Then I leveled the engine intake and bolted the Trans Dapt motor mounts to the frame. Engine fan is sitting 5 inches from rad. Large HEI GM distributor touches firewall with cab bolted back down. TH350 trans that I am now going to use seems that it will be a tight fit under the floor. Pics show this. Trans needs to come up another 2 inches and go forward another 1 inch or so. Question is, did I make a mistake basing the placement of the engine off the bellhousing crossmember (which is now removed so that the auto trans can go in)? What distributor should I use? Trans Dapt mounts firewall / trans pic Any thoughts or help would be sincerely appreciated. My "expertise" is 67-72 trucks. I'm still learning on the TF ones! Cheers! Enjoy your build. __________________ 1967 C-10 250 I6 w/ TH350 3.08 10 bolt HUGGER ORANGE aka "The General" '57 GMC short step REGINA SPECIAL 2013 CREW CAB SILVERADO 5.3 6 SPEED Z71 WHITE DAILY DRIVER "When you have eliminated the impossible, whatever remains, however improbable, must be the truth." ~Sherlock Holmes "Deeds will not be less valliant because they are unpraised." ~ Aragorn