Engine mount towers and TBI SB exhaust manifolds

[DirtyLarry]

What a PITA. So, I got the TBI 5.7L almost dropped in my beater ’72 C20 (original small block truck) only to find the stock TBI exhaust manifolds won’t clear the engine mount towers to allow the engine to sit down on the mounts. I never had this problem playing engine swapperoo on any other 67-72’s in the past but then again I have never owned an original small block truck of this era until I got this ’72. So, off the bone yard I go tomorrow to find different towers.

After looking at my ’68 GMC big block truck I think BB towers would work, but the chances of me finding big block towers at the bone yard is probably slim.

My question is can you use the towers from a ’73-’87 2wd and use the newer style saddle type engine mounts instead? I would rather use the newer saddle type engine mounts anyway as the originals pretty much suck. It doesn’t matter if I have to move the engine for or aft as it is also getting a 700R4 which I need to redrill the trans mount holes anyway.

Thanks