lost newbie

[cheapoheapo]

im trying to put 78 350/turbo 400 in a 1959 chevy stepside i ordered trans dapt bolt in mounts my question is the rear crossmember for the 235 6 must be taken out ??? i dont see any way it can stay there whats your thoughts im sure its been answered many times before but will take any constructive advice thanks

[jimig1]

I took out the cross member. I did it cause I did not thing it would fit.

[mr48chev]

The normal procedure is to remove the crossmember that is under the bellhousing.

I wish someone would design and build a bolt in thin profile crossmember to replace that one with to maintain the strength of the frame in that area. Quite often the weight of the cab causes the frame rails to twist outward at the top after the crossmember is removed and the cab sags over a period of time. I don't think that is so prevalent when guys use an independent front end crossmember under the truck which adds some stiffness a few inches forward of the original crossmember's location.

[_Ogre]

the x-member will need to come out and like mr48 stated, the cab mounts will eventually sag unless you add back some support.
when the cab sags from lack of support or rusting body mounts, the front fenders hit the doors or open a gap.
after market frame builders add support back to the trans x-member, i copied what i saw and did this to my 58

[OrrieG]

You do not have to take it out, but it makes the tranny pan clearance close and you need to make a two part torque converter cover. I kept mine because I wanted the cross connection at the rear spring hangers. Without it, or a replacement, the frame can flex under loading. Usually not a problem on the road, but I plan on using mine off road and have seen how much things move even with the cross brace. Here are photos of mine.