Is my engine mounted correctly

[4tiresngas]

Okay, I put a new automatic transmission crossmember under my truck to replace the piece of one th PO had under there. The truck was originally a 6 cylinder with 3 on the tree. It now has a 350 with 350 automatic.

When I put the crossmember in, I could not get it to line up with any bolt holes on the frame. The previos crossmember was not bolted up at all.

Anyhow, I was thinking maybe the engine is too far forward and that's the reason the transmission crossmember bolt hols don't line up...but I'm not sure.

Also, are the towers for the motor mounts different for small V8's and I6's? If so, is it possible the PO mounted the 350 to those towers and they cause the engine to be too far forward?

Here are a couple of pics of the engine mounts and the transmission crossmember.







Thanks for your help.

[pjmoreland]

Would the transmission crossmember line up with the holes if you were to slide your engine towers forward on the slotted holes? Looks like you could get about 3/8 to 1/2 an inch of adjustment out of them.

Yes, the I6 towers are different than the smallblock towers, but it looks to me like you have the correct smallblock towers.

[4tiresngas]

I'll crawl under there and see what the actual distance off is probably tomorrow. I plan on pulling it in the garage and adjusting the valves...got some anoyying ticking going on on the right side.

[71swb4x4]

Can you take a picture of the distance between the distributor and the firewall? I could tell for sure with that picture.

[pjmoreland]

It looks to me like your engine stands are in the same holes as mine based on the position of the notch in the inner fender relative to the engine stand.

[Palf70Step]

Maybe if you flip the tranny crossmember around it will let the holes align. I have put them in "backwards" as I call it on more than one oocassion.

[Longhorn Man]

Now, it has been a while since i had a small block truck, but are those eng towers in backwards???

[Tx Firefighter]

If all three bolts on the towers line up, they must be in right.

[purple gas]

the towers for the I-6 and small block are differnet. But if you don't know the differnce it's hard to tell, becasue they are fairly similar. The small block towers are a little shorter. I've seen several small blocks mounted on I-6 towers. they can be made to work, I tink the engine will sit slightly higher and alittle farther back or forward, can't rmemeber. I have a magazine with pics of both. If I can find it, I'll post a pic. There were a total of 4 differnt towers.. I-6, small block,, Big block 67-71, and big block 72

[4tiresngas]

Originally Posted by Palf70Step

Maybe if you flip the tranny crossmember around it will let the holes align. I have put them in "backwards" as I call it on more than one oocassion.

Palf70Step, I thought the same thing. I tried it both ways. I guess i should have paid more attention when I was pulling the crossmember from the salvage, but it was a B!@$^ to get out. The truck was setting on the ground with no tires. It took quite alot of jacking and bracing before i could een squeeze under to get it out.

I decided (guessed) that the four holes on the crossmember probably went towards the back for like holding exhaust hangers or the like. But really, I have no idea, since the piece of crossmember I took out did not have these holes.

[Portmod7]

Those look like 6-banger mounts to me. I believe they will make your small block sit higher and further forward, but i'm not sure.

[4tiresngas]

I guess the only way to be sure is to go back to the salvage yard and get the engine towers off the truck I got the transmission crossmember from.

Heck, I have already removed the whole front clip and cab from that truck. I should have seen if he would have just sold me the whole thing...lol

[stynchrr]

The I-6 mounts make SBC motor sit back. Also when the I-6 mouns are in the stock position they use the back two holes on the frame.

[4tiresngas]

I crawled under and looked at the transmission crossmember mounting holes. I'm only off by 1/2" to 3/4". I may be able to bolt it up if I just slide the engine towers forward in their slots. Not real sure how I will manage to move the entire engine/transmission combo, but I'm sure I can figure out something.

[crazy longhorn]

Those look to be the correct sb /V8 stands & mounts.....it does look like the engine can be moved foward as already mentioned. Without seeing the problem in person, it tough to say where the problem is.......but here is a no guess solution to the mess. if you take the trans crossmember out, & check that it is in the proper direction(sloped to the rear on the center pc of the crossmember), not my idea(already mentioned). something I have done is to SLOT the center bolt holes in the crossmember(get you about 1/2" either way of the hole). He!! the bolts in the center have heavy flat washers, & this will cause no problems at all. This post ASSUMES that the proper crossmember is under the trans(assume is a very big guess at times), but if you are only a little off......see if you can get the crossmember to frame holes to line up......then slot the center holes to fit best of luck, L

[RPOZ11]

How can I tell the difference between SB V-8 and I-6 frame stands if I have them in my hand? I will go dig out the frame stands I have in the shed....
Here are the pair that I have...

[RPOZ11]

Originally Posted by Longhorn Man

Now, it has been a while since i had a small block truck, but are those eng towers in backwards???

It appears to me that the stands are stamped for one direction so you cant reverse them, the forward holes vs. the rear holes of the 3 for each side I have never compared before....

[Tx Firefighter]

Originally Posted by RPOZ11

How can I tell the difference between SB V-8 and I-6 frame stands if I have them in my hand? ...

I set them in place on the truck's frame. If the front 3 holes line up, they are SB. If the rear set of 3 holes lines up, they are 230/250 I6 mounts.

They'll only line up all three holes when installed correctly.