Mounting Location of Bolt in Engine Mount SBC

[andsonsvd]

hi,

I am about to install my SBC in my 58 3100 and I have bolt in Engine Mounts. Does someone have a measurement to use when locating the engine mounts?

I was hoping to install the mounts then install the engine then trans.

Thanks Shane

[Iceburgh]

I would back into this by getting your engine where you want it based on the firewall and then mark the frame for the mounts. This will allow you to get clearance you need up front for water pump, fans etc.

I assume you are bolting to a stock frame?
You will want to box the frame in the area of the mounts.

[mr48chev]

Iceburgh gave some pretty good advice in post 2.

It really isn't carved in stone that when you put a V8 in a Task Force truck using side mounts and changing to mounting the trans using a rear crossmember that you here to set it in in one specific spot. Using the stock manual trans cast iron bellhousing on the stock crossmember you would as then the location is exact.

I'd mount it as he said giving yourself a little room to work around the back of the engine but not setting it so far forward so that it looks out of place. I've seen a couple that were set with the front of the V8 in the same location as the 6 cylinder was in and that looks a bit odd with so much space between the engine and firewall but it was probably really easy to work on.

If the side mounts only bolt to the frame rails and don't have the tube running under the engine I'd think it wise to follow his suggestion of boxing the rails as there has been some discussion of the engine weight eventually twisting the rails with that setup

[55dude]

if your going automatic just eyeball it so exhaust clears steering box, but for manual transmission stock location works best because of clutch linkage unless you go with hydraulic clutch setup.

[andsonsvd]

55dude,

I am using sbc and t400. what about locating the gear shifter? should that be part of the locating??

Shane

[mr48chev]

That depends on at shifter you intend to use. We are most likely talking the max of an inch and a half or two inches shift in the engine location from a stock V8 stick mounted location. Enough room to slip your hand between the right head and the firewall is probably about just right. Too far back and you don't have clearance to work and too far forward and it looks a bit strange to a lot of folks.

My 57 Panel that had the 327 in it used the stock cast iron bellhousing with a 3 speed and there wasn't a great deal of room to work at the back of the valve cover on that one.

[andsonsvd]

Thanks Everyone,

When I box the Chassis, How much do I do? Just under the mount?

What thickness steel do you use?

Thanks Shane

[_Ogre]

unless your making a new drive shaft, which is not needed with the th400, i would install the motor, trans and drive line to get the location correct.
you can bolt in the old bellhousing with the side mounts and then the motor, it will get you the same thing

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by andsonsvd

Thanks Everyone,

When I box the Chassis, How much do I do? Just under the mount?

What thickness steel do you use?

Thanks Shane

I think most guys would box it from the front crossmember back to where the trans crossmember was if they removed the crossmember under the bellhousing. Normally you try to use the same thickness of metal as the frame it's self. I need to box the frame on a roadster I am building and that is my plan for that. I am going to make patterns out of cardboard or poster board and get some cold rolled steel flat bar at the steel yard I deal with and cut the boxing plates out so they wll just fit inside the frame rails on the inside.


Ogre had a viable solution to engine location if you do have a driveshaft and it matches up to the transmission. If that works you accomplish two things at one time with no extra expense.

[andsonsvd]

Thanks Guys, so the standard driveshaft from my man trans of my 235 will suit my t400?

Shane

[_Ogre]

your drive shaft should work as is, as long as the yoke fits and does not bolt on the trans

for boxing the frame i used 10ga steel as it is similar in gauge to the frame, i boxed the full length of my frame
if you have the 6 cyl bell housing bolt it to the trans mount x-member slide the motor in
not sure if any of the 6 cyl bell housing bolt holes will match up to the motor or not

[hsdropout]

Watch for distributor clearance at firewall.
Best to mock up everything if possible..............IMO.