Does anyyone REPOP v8 manual cross members???

[steveo3318]

Title says it all. My truck was converted long ago from an I6 to a V8. They used the I6 cross member and I cant find headers to fit. plus I don't like the way they RIGGED up the Z-bar nor how it feels or engages! Its always the first thing people pick out at the car shows. "truck was converted"!!!! I am looking for the correct Small block cross member. Who makes one? Also can anyone post a picture of the correct v8 motor mounts? Mine has motor mounts but I am not sure if they are correct. Thanks guys.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Title says it all. My truck was converted long ago from an I6 to a V8. They used the I6 cross member and I cant find headers to fit. plus I don't like the way they RIGGED up the Z-bar nor how it feels or engages! Its always the first thing people pick out at the car shows. "truck was converted"!!!! I am looking for the correct Small block cross member. Who makes one? Also can anyone post a picture of the correct v8 motor mounts? Mine has motor mounts but I am not sure if they are correct. Thanks guys.

I was always under the understanding that the crossmember is the same for V-8 and L-6, just 2 different locations.

The Z-bar can be fixed, you just need to find a V-8 truck to rob parts from. The Z-bar itself is reproduced, but I don't think the mounting bracket that fits on the block is available.

Is your engine in the L-6 position or was it moved forward tot he V-8 position? Mine is in the L-6 position, and while I had to modify the Z-bar, I have long tube headers on my small block that fit fine and clear the motor mounts and the crossmember.

[TBONE1964]

Send me a PM to discuss your options. Not sure if the parts you need are reproduced but I have a good option for you.

Take care,
Tom

[steveo3318]

Mine is in the I6 position. Motor is 2 inches back. Z bar bracket is a home made bracket that bolts to two head bolts. What headers are you running and are they full length?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Mine is in the I6 position. Motor is 2 inches back. Z bar bracket is a home made bracket that bolts to two head bolts. What headers are you running and are they full length?

Yes, full length.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-g9006-9

I had to cut the bottom lever off the z-bar and move it over a little, and weld it back on, and bend the clutch rod a touch, but otherwise they fit very nice. I was actually surprised for the price. Pretty sure they are actually FlowTech's.

[steveo3318]

Also lattimer while you are correct on the crossmember being moved forward for the v8s from my research it does show a different bracket for the I6. Small block and big block. This being said if you look at the rate of incline of the frame it's almost 2 inches. If you did just move the i6 member up it would be extremely tilted. Please correct me if I am wrong but this is from research and looking under the truck at options

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Also lattimer while you are correct on the crossmember being moved forward for the v8s from my research it does show a different bracket for the I6. Small block and big block. This being said if you look at the rate of incline of the frame it's almost 2 inches. If you did just move the i6 member up it would be extremely tilted. Please correct me if I am wrong but this is from research and looking under the truck at options

I never tried to move mine, and I don't even use it anymore since I added the rear crossmember for my TKO. I'm basing my info off of what I have read and seen in a bunch of threads on here.

When I did the engine and trans swap, I considered moving my engine forward to where a V-8 should be. However, I have read a lot about having then engine back for weight distribution and handling, AND I didn't want to have to mess with the Z-bar arrangement.

Right now my z-bar sits in the stock mount on the frame, and the ball on the other side is threaded directly into the engine block. Sits at a little bit of a weird angle, but works fine.

Can't get these pics to rotate and stay there. Stupid iphone.

[TBONE1964]

I will get you some photos posted soon.

Take care,
Tom

[steveo3318]

Locdoc I may be stating this wrong. I am not talking about the cross member under the engine. I am talking about the cross member under the transmission that bolts to the bell housing. I am almost positive they are different from I6 to v8. Any input is greatly appreciated

[steveo3318]

Lattimer thank you for those pictures. But I really want this to look like a factory v8 three on the tree truck. I have some binding issues now with the bent linkages on mine.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Lattimer thank you for those pictures. But I really want this to look like a factory v8 three on the tree truck. I have some binding issues now with the bent linkages on mine.

Then you have a lot of work ahead of you. I highly suggest finding a V-8 parts truck or finding someone parting one out to get what you need. Classified section is your friend.

The rods from the column to the trans are different, the z-bar and block mount is different, clutch rods are different, engine stands are different. Since everything has to move forward, exhaust has to be moved as well. I'm sure a bunch of little stuff will need modified, like fuel hoses, radiator hoses, fan shroud, etc.

Every reference I have ever seen shows the same crossmember for all manual trans trucks, so can't help you there.

[TBONE1964]

Here are some pics for you. The I6 and V8 trans cross members are absolutely different. The reason is because of where it is positioned in the frame rails. Just moving the cross member to the other set of holes will not work because the frame is wider in one location than it is the other.

The photos are from a 1972 GMC that was/is a 350 engine with 4 speed trans from the factory and has all of the original parts. Sorry I don't have the bell crank (z bar) photos. Those parts are currently in the hot tank for cleaning.

By the way, I will clean up these parts for you if you are interested before shipping.

Hope this helps,
Tom

[steveo3318]

From my research it says the i6 goes in the back holes and the v8 goes in the front. If you look at the rate of ramp between the two holes you will see using the i6 in the v8 holes would raise the trans almost 2 inches plus put the cross member at a downward angle. I have seen the i6 and v8 mount on the web and the degree of ramp is evident on the i6 to v8 cross member. All this said I may still be wrong. Let me do some more digging. But most of my info comes from this site!

[steveo3318]

That's it. You can see some difference here in mine as well the i6 members always have a slot cut in the top. Guys keep in mind yes it will be aggravating and seem like to much trouble but to me it's worth it. I hate the two inch spacer on my fan clutch. I hate the fact I have hell getting to those plugs on the drivers side. I hate when folks go. Oh i6 conversion. Like the trucks not worthy. Lastly I am putting a borg warner r10 overdrive in her and those extra two inches forward are going to help tremendously.

[steveo3318]

Oh I also own a plasma cutter so those rivets will be made quick work of I hope lol.

[Lattimer]

Hey----its your truck. Only person you have to please is you!

Once the engine and trans are out of the way, those rivets are a lot easier to get to. I wish I would have taken mine out then, but it did help hold everything while I installed the trans, and I think it helps stiffen the frame a little.



Sounds like Tbone has a good hook up for you.

[steveo3318]

Yeah I am kinda getting scared though. After looking at the riveted z bar bracket on the frame mine is different than the picture he posted as well. Mine must be an I6 thing or something. I am going to pull the engine and trans. Prob be down a few months. going back with headers, syncro saginaw with borg warner r10 overdrive. These REAL 1957 Leslie supertyfons in the bed. and an air compressor setup. I collect and restore real train horns as well.









I think they will look right at home back here even though they will fill the bed up lol.

[TBONE1964]

The train horns are very cool. I would like to get a hold of a set of those sometime.

[steveo3318]

I am supposed to have a set of K5 nathan airchmes coming to me next week in a trade. I may be selling them if you have any interest. Might could do some trading lol

[TBONE1964]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

I am supposed to have a set of K5 nathan airchmes coming to me next week in a trade. I may be selling them if you have any interest. Might could do some trading lol

As tempting as it is, I am not in the position to have such an item Thanks for the offer anyway.

[TBONE1964]

Here are so photos as promised. All of these parts were removed from a1972 GMC with a 350 4 speed trans. I actually removed and cleaned the cross member up today. It is in very good condition as the truck had oil leaks for most of it's life.

Let me know if you want to move forward and I can get you payment information.

[TBONE1964]

More photos of the z bar and hardware. This z bar has the correct bolts and washers for the block and has the correct lock tab for the frame bracket as well.

Hope this is everything you are looking for. let me know if you have any questions,

Take care,
Tom

[LockDoc]

-
I finally remembered to go out and check my frames & take a couple of pictures the other day. I stand corrected on them being the same. I guess even at 72 you are not too old to learn something new...

I will edit my previous posts.

LockDoc

[steveo3318]

Those are awesome pictures loc. thank you so much and you also corrected me on something. I thought only the i6 members had the slot. Looks like the v8 does as well. From all this I have come to the conclusion you had better know what truck your parts come from! Lol.

My question to you is if both of your members were on the ground do you think you could tell a difference?

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by steveo3318

Those are awesome pictures loc. thank you so much and you also corrected me on something. I thought only the i6 members had the slot. Looks like the v8 does as well. From all this I have come to the conclusion you had better know what truck your parts come from! Lol.

My question to you is if both of your members were on the ground do you think you could tell a difference?

Yes, because of the twist noted on the V-8 cross member. It doesn't show much in the picture but it is very noticeable looking at it in person.

LockDoc

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