OOPS!, Did I Screw Up??

[72longbed]

Maybe I should post this on the 4x4 Board but I want the most people to offer an opinion. I was reading my 'Factory Assembly Manual' this afternoon and just noticed the pictures of 4x4 engine cradles, and that my small block chevy is sitting on a 6 cyl. engine cradle in my K20 frame . This explains why it was such a PIA to get the motor mounts to line up with the cradle! Now maybe this is not a major screwup, but then maybe it is, I don't know? The guy who sold me the frame didn't tell me it was a 6 cyl. cradle. I will be bolting a 700R4 tranny to this engine and NP205 transfer case. I need to know if the 6 cyl. engine cradle is going to cause me more trouble than its worth and if now is the time to put a V8 cradle in there? The cab, front clip, and transmission are not in yet. Tranny is coming back from California this week.

This 6 cyl. engine cradle has a lot of work into it. I had all the pieces sand blasted and powder coated a nice black color. Very Clean. Maybe I can sell or trade this one for a V8 cradle?

I appreciate all opinions on this from 4x4 owners who know if this is an issue thats going to 'bite me in the ashcan' later.

Thanks,
72longbed

[Longhorn Man]

all the small blocks were mounted in teh 6 cylinder location on 4X4 trucks.

[72longbed]

Longhornman, I hear what you are saying but I don't think you understand the problem. In the 67-72 Factory Assembly Instruction Manual there is a picture on page 150 (counting each side of the pages, No numbers on the pages), of two very different 4x4 engine cradles/crossmembers. The upper picture is for all KE 10-20 ( 'E' designating V8's), and the lower picture is the cradle for the KS 10-20 ('S' designating 6 cyl.). I don't know what RPO L25 means.

So what I'm saying here is the factory definitely used two different engine cradles, not just location on the frame. And my cradle is the lower, 6 cyl. style but my engine is a 383 small block. I know that I will be moving the engine forward a little to accomodate the 700R4, I just don't know if I should use the 6 cyl. cradle or not??

Thanks,
72longbed

BTW, these crossmember/cradles are very different from 2WD crossmembers.

[Boog]

Could be the 6 cylinder cradle is lower to clear the oil pan of the 6 cylinder. V8 should fit in there with no issues I would think.

[72longbed]

Are a Chevy Inline 6 cyl. and a Small block the same width at the motor mount area?? Are both engine blocks machined at the same angle in the mount area?? These are the real issues here, and maybe more that I haven't thought of.

Thanks,
72longbed

[Rod]

The 4x4 engine cradle for 4x4's is the same for 8 and 6 cylinders..the only one any different is the 292 sized engine cradle..you got the right stuff probably. Your engine wouldn't bolt to the 292 engine cradle without doing engine mount mods due to the 292 pass side mount being in a different postion.

[Rod]

Oh, and option L25 is the 292 engine..so there's your answer.

See the little check box in the bottom left of posters reply box in the threads ...those are to increase members reputation levels....you get a good correct answer... maybe you add to their reputation.

[70rs/ss]

Originally Posted by 72longbed

Are a Chevy Inline 6 cyl. and a Small block the same width at the motor mount area?? Are both engine blocks machined at the same angle in the mount area?? These are the real issues here, and maybe more that I haven't thought of.

Thanks,
72longbed

The engine mount pads are the same, and in the same place. I have swapped 6's for V8's many times and the only thing to remember is to use the same parts for the application. If putting V8 into 6 mounts, use the same 6 mount to bolt V8 down. I have put BBC in the same place as a SBC by using SBC mounts and everything fits fine. If you mmount a BBC in SBC frame mounts and try to use BBC motor mounts it will not work, and it is the same for I6 and SBC, maybe this is why it was a PITA, did you use SBC mounts on the I6 frame mounts? If so I'd put I6 motor mounts on the SBC and it should fall into place and either way it will not effect your tranny stuff although you may have to adjust everything as the 700R4 is a different length. That is a different story.

[72longbed]

Rod,
do you have the 67-72 Factory Assembly Instruction Manual?? If you do, turn about 75 pages into it (page 150 if you count both sides), and look at the two engine cradles shown there. I'm not trying to be difficult here but the exact cradle that my small block is resting on is the one in the lower picture. Now that cradle is supposed to be for a 292, right? Well I must have my engine in there all 'catywampus' or sumthin' because its bolted to that crossmember!

Now I'm reallly feeling nervous about using this cradle. I think I'll just start a thread asking for a V8, 4x4 cradle and see what pictures I can get from other members. Thanks for trying to help me, do you see my point in being concerned here?

72longbed

[72longbed]

70rs/ss,
yes I bought new motor mounts (bolt to the block) for a V8 because I thought the cradle that came with the frame was for a V8. Now that I look in the 'Assembly Manual' it shows that the cradle I have is for a "KS 100-200 w/RPO L25". Whatever the hell that means!

Are you suggesting that I just get some 292 motor mounts and bolt them to the small block and it should fit very well with this cradle??

Thank you for your help here,
72longbed

[Rod]

The 292 cradle wont work for you if that what you have.....if I can remember correctly if you changed the passenger side of the 292 one to the v8 type then you could make it work..I dont like the assembly manual reprint most people have....cant find anything but I'll look.