Question - engine mounts for 700R4 trans?

[Paul72]

I'm going to be installing my 700R4 into the GMC next week and would like to move the engine forward rather than shorten the DS.

Looking for ideas/pics/suggestions of what others have done to relocate the engine mounts successfully.

Thanks in advance,

Paul

[70GMCer]

won't work!! The engine won't go forward enough. You'll have to cut the driveshaft 3", assuming that your 700 has the short tail housing.

[cdowns]

maybe you could lengthen the frame fenders and hood by 3inches to move the engine foreward , that would save you the trouble of shortening the driveshaft

[Paul72]

I've got a welder, torch, and steel plate - it's going to work somehow. I am just looking for others' ideas before I come up with my own.

I know there have been others that have done this........

[smokekiki]

If you are talking about that 4X4,the 700 is only 1 3/4" longer.More than enough room to move the engine forward.

[Paul72]

Any stories of success?

I'm heading up Tuesday night and back on Memorial Day.

[smoky02]

I've just installed a 700 in my truck and I'm getting a drive shaft cut...

[mrein3]

Paul72 -
I went to the gas station Saturday. $111.40 later I'm reconsidering my choice of th350 over the 700r4 when I switched from manual to auto. PLEASE keep this thread up to date with your progress.

I still have the spreadsheet I used to help me decide th350 over 700r4. At that time gas was $1.60/gallon. I figured I'd have to pay $3.20/gallon to make it worth the extra dollars for the 700 rebuild, etc.
Saturday it was $3.38/gallon.

The general concensus on this subject is to move your engine forward and leave the drive shafts alone. There is enough room to do this because the factory V8 engine position is tight against the firewall.

Again. Please update this thread with your progress.

[nvrforgotten52]

two wheel drive will be cutting it close... 4wd should work fine... i moved my mounts forward an inch or so but i wasnt using a stock driveshaft i pieced one together that was a bit shorter that the stock one i had.

[kelsfine69]

IMO it seems like a lot less work to shorten the driveshaft??

[Smitty]

I'm with kelsfine69, I made that change into a 71 short 2WD. And everything went well and I have many troublefree miles on it since.

[snj8198]

Originally Posted by kelsfine69

IMO it seems like a lot less work to shorten the driveshaft??

I have to agree. granted it would be nice to gain a little room between the firewall and dizzy, but chopping the rear and lenthening the front drive shafts is alot less work. I've got $300 total into my custom shafts with new joints, CV, longer slip shafts and balanced, built from scratch. -steve