Crossmember question

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

I cut the crossmember in order to get my engine and tranny in, I have a 350 connected to a SM465 tranny I got it all in place and can be bolted in, but my only concern is the crossmember being strong enough. I took some pics to clarify things, I think it should be fine.

[caminokid]

I think you better weld the middle back to it. I dont know if it being in two pieces that it will hold up.

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

I would like to leave it as is so I can take the motor in and out with ease, so I would rather not brace it across again but I could make braces from the frame to the existing crossmember, that is if it needs to be braced?

[caminokid]

Originally Posted by oldsmobilekindofguy

I would like to leave it as is so I can take the motor in and out with ease, so I would rather not brace it across again but I could make braces from the frame to the existing crossmember, that is if it needs to be braced?

That would be a good idea too. I have my crossmember ready for bolts so I can take the whole thing out.

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

thanks kid, any other input would be appreciated

[old Chevy guy]

Id worry there would be a lot of streess on the mounts,seems like those loose ends would want to twist up and down when the motor trys to twist.Mabey you could weld a flat plate on the bottem of each side of the piece you cut out ,then drill holes in the parts atached to the frame and bolt it in so you could remove it again if thats what you want.

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

thanks guy but if I do that there is clearance issues, even if I make it so I can unbolt the middle with the middle in there I can't get the dust cover on for ythe flywheel

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

Does anyone have an idea of how I could brace up the two existing pieces so I don't have to put the middle back in

I kinda mutilated the piece in the middle by cutting it in three pieces anyway

[old Chevy guy]

465 sm isnt that the big truck unit with the granny 1st? If so why is there a problem thats whats in my truck. What bell are you using,the one that bolts on the crossmember?How about just a flat plate across the bottom to tie it together will that still create a clearance problem?

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

yes it is, and it does just bolt to the belhousing but It isn't original to the truck and I am trying to use the existing crossmember, It is also a low hump cab which created problems too, It was originally a three speed.

I decided to do pretty much your idea anyway, I am gonna weld plates down a couple inches and and bolt the middle across

[Sammy]

Never seen a granny 4 spd in without a high hump cover. I doubt because of clearance issues that tranny would require a huge hole in the floor pan.

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

you can see where the floor is cut out and it has to be cut out there that is not my problem, I am making the crossmember so I can pull the motor and trany in and out in one piece and I didn't want to put the middle back in but everyone on here and everyone I have talked to think I should so I am

[oldsmobilekindofguy]

Thanks all for the input and help