A Request from the Builders

[craig32]

Greetings all, I've finally got my truck (56) up and going, and tweaking it as I go from here. Eventually, I'd like to have it as close to stock as possible, and with the 'downgrades' it was given by a PO, I need some help.
What I need, but not by any means soon, is the original frame horns for the bellhousing mounts that were cut off of my truck. If someone is doing (or has done) a frame off with a 'clip job', if you could carefully remove the horns I could use a set. I'm pretty sure it has the stock bell, as it has the starter bolted back through it. It's really odd, since there's a 400 in front of it, and a SM465 (with transfer case) behind it. For some reason, the PO moved the engine back about 5" from the original V8 location, which makes the cab hot with the engine that close, and the radiator hot, with the fan that far away.
Anyhoo, if anyone is going that route, and could grind off the rivets instead of torching them, I'll be in the market for them in the next couple years. I want to get my Bel Air together and done before I start taking apart the truck, but the longer you wait to get parts, the fewer there are available.
Thanks!

Craig

[drivea55]

I may have them off my 55.

I will let you know

Brian

[OrrieG]

I don't know how they could move the 400 back 5", in the stock position the passenger valve cover is about an inch from the fire wall. The fan of a v8 sits back about 5" from the 6 fan location. The radiator is moved back using extensions on the top and sides. The factory assy manual shows the extra pieces required for the v8 option. On mine I kept the radiator in the 6 location and used a later model shroud that aligns with the fan. I have a 350 auto so the mount is between the trans and transfer case. I kept the bellhousing crossmember for stability and strength off-roading.

I drove my truck for 15 years with the first v8, 6K a year in the city, highway and off-road and never had over heating issues. The only time it did overheat was when I had the old 235, granny 4 speed and was climbing long slow grades. This time around I upgraded to a big truck radiator to compensate for a little larger engine (355 instead of 283). I am getting close to installing the fan, radiator and shroud and will take detailed pics so you can see my method. I don't think anyone reproduces the metal extensions for the radiator, but they would not be hard to make if you want it back closer to the fan.

[drivea55]

Let me know if I can help in any way.

Brian

[craig32]

OK, now I'm confused. The only other TF I saw had a V8, and it had front mounts like the tri-five cars. I leaned out over the engine and read the casting number off of the back ledge. Apparently that wasn't in the proper location?
Going by the serial number, my truck was originally a 6 cyl. The radiator has been changed to a 'whatever was available' but everything else there is stock. The front axle I got still had the end of the frame on it and it had the engine mounts in the same place as the previously mentioned truck.
I got under my truck today and assuming the frame horns are straight, they line up with the bell mounts. It has a side mount cradle welded in (over the parking brake mounting holes) So you're saying this is where the engine is supposed to be in a V8 setup?
As for the frame horns, I want to go with them so I can get rid of the transmission/transfer case, in favor of a regular transmission, which surprisingly (to me) has no crossmember mount.

[dicer]

The stock setup is a cross member at the rear for the bellhousing to bolt to. It will be hard to get another one in there. That is why people that take them out have to cut the crossmember in half to remove it.
There are brackets that are riveted or in a conversion bolted to the front crossmember to move the front mount points rear ward for the V8. The bellhousing being bolted to the rear crossmember regulates the position of the engine to firewall space. And its fairly close in the stock position.

[OrrieG]

It sounds like the one your saw put the v8 in using the 6 mounting holes. The v8 has brackets that cantilever off of the back of the front crossmember to hold the engine mounts. Here is a photo of mine, I made my mounts after measuring a original v8 truck in 85. I adjusted it a little bit so the stock 74 front drive line could be used. I kept the second crossmember, under the bellhousing, with the th350 it is a tight fit.

[craig32]

You must be right, it was clearly mounted on the 6 cyl mounts. Otherwise, the bell would be in the same place, only difference would be the longer 6cyl would be mounted further forward. I also assumed the crossmember would be frame horns, like the cars of the same year(s) were. I guess what I need to look for is a crossmember from a 70's pickup, like the other transmission I have came from. And a longer driveshaft! Thanks for setting me straight.