Small block on 6 cylinder mounts?

[rjeiii]

I have a 68 c10 that I have a 350/700R combo, Is there enough fire wall clearance to run 6 cylinder mounts? I have both forward V8 mounts and the rear 6 cylinder mounts. Would prefer to run the 6 mounts to clear the headers I bought. Is there enough room to run a HEI Distributer with the 6 mounts. We used the same mounts on my sons 66 c10 (6 cylinder) and worked great with a small block, but we had to modify the firewall when he put in a big block. I would appreciate any input you guys have. Thanks john

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by rjeiii

I have a 68 c10 that I have a 350/700R combo, Is there enough fire wall clearance to run 6 cylinder mounts? I have both forward V8 mounts and the rear 6 cylinder mounts. Would prefer to run the 6 mounts to clear the headers I bought. Is there enough room to run a HEI Distributer with the 6 mounts. We used the same mounts on my sons 66 c10 (6 cylinder) and worked great with a small block, but we had to modify the firewall when he put in a big block. I would appreciate any input you guys have. Thanks john

It will be really close. You could always use the divorced coil HEI for more clearance.

LockDoc

[Lattimer]

Works fine in my truck. Just about 3/4" clearance between the HEI and the firewall.

[rjeiii]

Thanks guys, appreciate the input

[Z10]

If you don't mind your firewall looking like this, it can be done. My truck originally had a 6cylinder and the PO decided to put a small block in with out changing to the correct engine stands. I have a few more pics on my build thread if your interested. But I for one would not do it.

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Z10

If you don't mind your firewall looking like this, it can be done. My truck originally had a 6cylinder and the PO decided to put a small block in with out changing to the correct engine stands. I have a few more pics on my build thread if your interested. But I for one would not do it.

There must be a lot of variation. My firewall needed no modification at all. Only issue I have is to pull the dizzy I have to remove the cap first.

[Katrina/10]

If you move the 6 cyl mounts to the forward holes in the frame, you will have plenty of room.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

If you move the 6 cyl mounts to the forward holes in the frame, you will have plenty of room.

He mentioned in his first post that he needed to use the rear 6 cyl mounting location for header clearance issues. That's the way I understood it anyway...

LockDoc

[Katrina/10]

Well, I guess I could have read a little more closely. I'm not sure if he's talking the position of the mounts or whether they are for 6 or 8 cyl.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Well, I guess I could have read a little more closely. I'm not sure if he's talking the position of the mounts or whether they are for 6 or 8 cyl.

I wondered about that too.

LockDoc

[Tx Firefighter]

I've done it more than a few times. Never any issue or need to dent the firewall. You can still side your hand between the back of the distributor cap and the firewall. You can still pull your distributor without issue.

[Acorn]

I just put my engine in last night and I set in in the 6cyl position and had plenty of room. I have a tbi small cap but it looks like the bigger hei cap will fit.
I did it just to try and get my driveshaft as short as possible. I'm just wondering if it will make a difference in how the truck drives and handles?

[rjeiii]

I am wanting to put a v8 on 6 cylinder mounts (rear mounting holes) with an big cap HEI

[Lattimer]

This is a small block in the 6 cylinder mounting location with standard HEI cap. About 3/4" clearance on the firewall.

[rjeiii]

Thanks Lattimer, that's the money shot right there. exactly what I was looking, John

[Acorn]

Other than clearance for exhaust, why do some people use the 6 cyl location? What are the advantages or disadvantages?

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Acorn

Other than clearance for exhaust, why do some people use the 6 cyl location? What are the advantages or disadvantages?

A few things if you are swapping in a V-8 for the L-6:
1. Don't have to move the trans crossmember
2. Don't have to modify the driveshaft
3. Don't have to modify the clutch linkage
4. More room in front of engine for accessories, electric fans, etc.

The only performance advantage is that it does shift weight toward the rear, so it can help handling a little bit.

When I swapped in the TREMEC, I debated on moving my engine forward. I was getting a custom driveshaft and the kit came with a new crossmember that I had to locate. I have enough room in front for the fans and whatnot. A little more clearance at the back of the engine would make changing plug wires easier.

Last straw was modifying the clutch linkage. Whoever installed the V-8 modified the L-6 Z-bar, and I would have had to do some fab to make it work in the forward position. Plus I would have had to mod my exhaust. Didn't seem worth it, so I put the engine right back where it was (I swapped the 327 for a crate 355 at the same time I did the TREMEC).

[Acorn]

Thanks lattimer. That's good info to know. That shorn is a purdy engine ya got there!

[Lattimer]

Originally Posted by Acorn

Thanks lattimer. That's good info to know. That shorn is a purdy engine ya got there!

Thanks. Unfortunately, that one came right back out. Started knocking after about 50 miles. Its still on the engine stand, I haven't gotten the courage to open it up. I got pissed off and bought a Vortec 355 crate motor and dropped it in.

[72freak]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

If you move the 6 cyl mounts to the forward holes in the frame, you will have plenty of room.

Yep...move them forward. I think you will need V8 stands. Why crowd the firewall and leave an ugly gap between the fan and radiator. Do it right the first time. I have passed on buying trucks that had the V8 conversion in the I6 holes.

[mjjjracing]

The last two stepsides I bought had small blocks in the 6 cyl stands,Luckily I had parts trucks with the v8 stands as the 6cyl and v8 stands are different they wont move to the front holes ,at least the ones I had would not work and it gave me alot more room behind the motor