1976 Front Motormount Towers

[rehoward]

I am trying to figure out how to restore a 1976 1 ton Chev pickup that the previous owner cobbled together. It now has a 454 engine in it which I doubt was the original motor. When trying to fit the rear transmission crossmember I could not get it to fit as the engine seemed to be placed too far rearward. On closer examination I found that he had relocated the front motor mount towers rearward and placed them on top of the frame rails instead of under as they should be. He also altered them with a cutting torch. What a mess.

I am thinking what I should do is to source some unaltered towers from a serve-yourself wrecking yard. Except that from the factory they are riveted in so I probably would have to buy a battery powered grinder for $$ and I am not sure that sort of tool would hold a charge long enough to get the job done. I also am unsure if the small block towers (which are most common) are the same as big block towers? I think they are though. Maybe I can buy these from Chevy? But I doubt it.

So some of you guys must know what my options are for getting this done the right way. I am very open to suggestions. Thanks.

Randy

[83GMCK2500]

Originally Posted by rehoward

I am trying to figure out how to restore a 1976 1 ton Chev pickup that the previous owner cobbled together. It now has a 454 engine in it which I doubt was the original motor. When trying to fit the rear transmission crossmember I could not get it to fit as the engine seemed to be placed too far rearward. On closer examination I found that he had relocated the front motor mount towers rearward and placed them on top of the frame rails instead of under as they should be. He also altered them with a cutting torch. What a mess.

I am thinking what I should do is to source some unaltered towers from a serve-yourself wrecking yard. Except that from the factory they are riveted in so I probably would have to buy a battery powered grinder for $$ and I am not sure that sort of tool would hold a charge long enough to get the job done. I also am unsure if the small block towers (which are most common) are the same as big block towers? I think they are though. Maybe I can buy these from Chevy? But I doubt it.

So some of you guys must know what my options are for getting this done the right way. I am very open to suggestions. Thanks.

Randy

The motor mount pedestals should be bolted in. If you don't mind driving around or catching Kingston-Edmonds Ferry I know for a fact that Yank-A-Part Auto Wrecking in Poulsbo has several square bodies.

I *thought* I read that the only distinction between engine mounts was 6-cyl & 8-cyl, with no difference in SBC/BBC.

[rehoward]

Hi Devin,

I believe that is true that the SBC and BBC mounts are the same. Did not know they are bolted in however. That makes life a whole lot more simple. Thanks.

Randy

[wraprail]

Originally Posted by rehoward

I am trying to figure out how to restore a 1976 1 ton Chev pickup that the previous owner cobbled together. It now has a 454 engine in it which I doubt was the original motor. When trying to fit the rear transmission crossmember I could not get it to fit as the engine seemed to be placed too far rearward. On closer examination I found that he had relocated the front motor mount towers rearward and placed them on top of the frame rails instead of under as they should be. He also altered them with a cutting torch. What a mess.


Randy

They should be on top of the frame.
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[cory d]

i have removed motor mount towers,. none that i have seen are riveted

[Shyguy]

Originally Posted by wraprail

They should be on top of the frame.
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I am sure glad you posted this, it confirms what I thought. The motor mounts are on top of the frame in all my trucks.

The lower part bolts to the cradle.

When we put the 454 in my '67 with a SM-465 we had to move the rear motor mount and drill holes for the front motor mounts to get clearance for the clutch "Z" bar and headers. We used the motor mounts that came with the '74 454.

[rehoward]

On top of the frame. Huh, that is just plain weird. Maybe the previous owner tryed to adapt some six cylinder mounts as they were torched out with a notch so they could be mounted on top of the frame. Really ugly work. I could have sworn that V-8 mounts were bolted under the frame flange and not on top. Guess not. Can anyone provide pics? Thanks.

Randy

[tex_waco_usmc]

Here is a pic of my SBC on the frame rails you can see how the engine stands are mounted on top of the frame rail and bolted in... Just thought I would help!

[tex_waco_usmc]

Heres a better one without the drivetrain on the frame!

[Tx Firefighter]

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[rehoward]

Thanks TxFirefighter. Good pics they will help a lot.

Randy