crossmember nightmare. help?

[Jonathans55]

55 chevy pickup so close to being done with it. Ordered the crossmembers from brothers featured in the picture for my 350. The original front crossmember takes up too much space. The harmonic balancer will contact almost 4 inches into the original crossmember. Where the duct tape is is how much I would have to cut. How big of a no no is this?

[Jonathans55]

Or should I just get rid of it all together and put in a new member farther forward using 3x4 square tubing.

[OrrieG]

Not at my computer, but looks like your engine is too low. Will post pics later.

[1958Warrior]

This was how high my 283 motor was when I got it .

Dutch has that style of mount and he had the cross member cutout where your tape is ,
Take a look at his post #22 he made some plates to raise the engine to clear the cross member and post #53.
http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=643426&page=2

[_Ogre]

as others have stated your current motor location is too low
you need the cross member to support the spring perches up from bowing the frame in
these trucks came with factory sbc v8 motors and retained the x-member
though there was a bracket riveted on the x-member

my truk originally had mounts similar to what warrior posted
i made this type mounts to go to side mounts and used 68 chevy truck mounts
these are easy to fabricate; a couple triangles and some 3/8 tube
as i recall the tube should be level or a little above the top of the frame

[OrrieG]

Here is a photo of mine in the stock v8 position. I made my own mounts to use the stock front mounts. It places the engine so the fan is centered in the radiator and HEI is about 1" off of the fire wall. It also allows the bellhousing, etc. to clear the second cross member. Warriors mounts place the engine with the front about where the six was, close to the radiator, but 4-5" off of the firewall. That pulls the bellhousing and tranny into the second crossmember.

[Jonathans55]

Thanks for the help everyone. It took most of the day but the engine and transmission are both in!

[tmoble]

So what did you have to do or change to get it right?

[roger55]

I have the same side mount crossmember as you.

I mounted mine just high enough to give me 1/2" of clearance between the pulley and the original crossmember.

The engine is tilted 3.5 degrees down in relation to the frame and that worked out perfect for clearances everywhere. I matched that tilt with 3.5 degrees up at the pinion.

[1-ton of fun]

Originally Posted by roger55

I matched that tilt with 3.5 degrees up at the pinion.

what kind of rear suspension? if it is leaf springs, you may want aim that down a degree or two from where you have it