Has anyone used the universal engine mount?

[Caveman49]

Hello all,
I've tried to search this site for info before asking, found nothing on what I need. Anyway, I have a 59 Apache that I want to drop a 350 in with a 4spd. I already have the universal engine crossmember mount with the block motor mounts, just am not sure on where to bolt it in? I want to keep the stock straight axle, and floor pedals.

The truck had a 283/700r4 with a fabbed front mount, two original front peg type. This won't work with the 350 I want to drop in, I should say that I'm leary of that setup.

Barring trying to set in the whole drivetrain to get a measurement, I was hoping someone on this site might be able to give me some help, pointers, ideas, come over and assist

I've got to say, there are some awesome trucks on this site, you guys do great work, with excellent photos showing the work. If I had the talents, I'd probably try putting a different frame setup on it, but am a one man show here. I do have several 73-77 El Caminos that I was considering trying to put the truck on one of those frames, but haven't gotten any measurements yet....

Thanks for any and all your help!

Lee in Alabama
"Caveman49"
I'd do pics, but ain't that smart, and don't have a host to store em yet.

[Igotachevyor2]

it sounds like the mounts you already have and dont want to use are the same i am using and i am running a few more hp than stock with no problems or complaints. i might wouldnt want them as a show truck but for a driver i dont mind them at all.







as for image hosting try photobucket they are free and there are a few more out there.

[lotussutol]

I have been told the front mount will work with a manual gear box but that you should not do them with tailmount trannys such as turbo 350/400/etc...

I was told that it puts a lot of stress on the flex plate area but that is just what I am told. It could be a myth too for all I know.

[entourageguy]

From my 55-57 car days front mounting an engine is ok with the manual trans but for the auto rear mount the engine/trans needs some extra support in the middle. Side mounting the engine is best with the auto.

Brian ...

[Caveman49]

Thanks for the feedback, and the pics of the front mounts. The front mounts on my truck were on a flat piece of steel about 3/8 in thick and bolted to each side of the frame. [IMG][/IMG] I'm gonna give this a try and see if it works. If not, I've just joined photobucket and posted some pics of the 59. I've removed the flat piece of metal to work this universal crossmember.

Another thing the previous owner did, was to cut the rear motor (I think where the bellhousing mounted to) mount out. It looks like there was a full crossmember right under the firewall (factory)?

Tell me Igotachevyor2, do you know if those frame parts are available somewhere, the ones your front motor mounts are attached to?

Whoa.........it worked, let me try a pic of the truck when I picked it up several months back...
[IMG][/IMG][IMG][/IMG]

A pic of the crossmember I want to install. I'm not quite sure where exactly this piece should bolt to the frame........[IMG][/IMG]

Thanks again for the feedback.

Lee

[entourageguy]

Welcome to the board. As Tex would say " nice to see another 4 lighter".
That looks like a universal cross member. You need to figure out where your engine is going to sit and work from there for mounting.

Brian ...

[Caveman49]

Thanks Brian. I'm was hoping to get some ideas without having to lift the drivetrain. But that is probably what I'll wind up doing, hooking up the saginaw and sliding the complete unit into place.

I've watched some of those tv shows where they get measurements with what looks to be a styrofoam block, man that would be ideal.

Lee

[entourageguy]

If your drive train is sitting in there now you should be able to test the mount with out moving the engine.

Brian ..

[Caveman49]

Everything is removed, as in the first picture I posted.

Hard to believe no one on this site has used this mount.

[GATORBUILT '59]

Caveman,
I have actually use this mount and the transmission mount made by the same company. it had to be over four years ago. The only trouble that I had installing it was relocating the front brake lines from the stock position. The mounting position for mine was flush inside the c-channel of the frame. From the looks of the picture you show above the mount you plan on purchasing will sit on top the c-channel. If so be careful only because on the drivers side frame rail where the the emergency brake rod comes down out of the cab the frame is not a complete ]. Referrence the picture below.

[GATORBUILT '59]

I see that you are from my home state of ALABAMA. Welcome!

[lotussutol]

I have one of those crossmembers sitting on my shelf. I ended up with a frame with a camaro clip on it so I did not use it.

If you can find an old sbc strip it down to just the block. It is a lot easier to use that for a mock up then the whole engine. that is what I did when I put in my crossmember.



Just make sure you have enough clearance between the firewall and where your HEI or distributer is...mark the holes drill them and bolt it in.

EDIT...welcome to the board and that is a really nice/solid truck you have there.

[Caveman49]

Thanks for the welcome and pics lotussutol. I do have a 350 that I can strip down, and will more than likely go that route. The distributor clearance is a big concern, yes it'll be HEI. I've cracked a cap being lazy already, lesson learned.
I'm going to look at one of the dual exhaust crossmembers from a parts El Camino I have, and maybe fab it to work, something like you have in the pic.
I was also considering a different frame as well, but apprehensive because of my experience level with chopping and welding (zero!)

The longer the truck sits in my workshop, the more I want to just strip it down. You guys motivate me when I read and look at the pics on this site.

Lee

[entourageguy]

You guys motivate me when I read and look at the pics on this site.
Yea were a bad influence on this web site.

Brian ...

[msgross]

Hey Lee,

My buddy has a 59 with the same mount already in it. Let me get some pics and a tape measure and maybe that will help. Although, he was running a TH350 I think so you might be safer to install everything and then tack it in place. I'm heading to Rucker next week and will have 20 weekends to burn, I can't weld very good but I can help you out with the truck....

Just look at my build thread and see how I like to tear them apart! One day it will have to go back together and I think i'll have extra parts for some reason....

Here he is installing his Mustang II front end but it looks like he already removed the x-member....

[Caveman49]

Thanks Mike, give me a call when you get in town. Bring your work clothes if you care to indulge

Lee

[msgross]

only if you have cold beer... of course only for after the works done!

[Caveman49]

Hmmm, thought that was a given

[msgross]

sweet....

how about an entire camaro front clip for the front suspension?

[OrrieG]

I'm running the front mounts on my 59 4wd (74 drivetrain) without any problems. You need to add a torque strap to the drivers side to limit engine rotation, the TH350 cases are weak around the cooling lines and will crack under torque, especially with the weight of the transfer case restricting them.

I may be changing to side mounts so I can use the front holes to mount a power steering pump. Good luck. Patrick

[Caveman49]

Thanks Patrick,

I've decided to use the 700r4 instead of the 4spd manual setup. Mainly because the part I thought would fit (flywheel) doesn't. So it'll be much easier, and more cost effective to put the auto back in.
I still need to hook the trans up to the engine and set it in to get a position for the xmember. Slowly it'll come together.
[IMG][/IMG]

Lee

[nspadoni]

I installed that tube frame mount in my 57 truck the installation was easy the third time, what worked for mine was to bolt the motor and tranny together and bolt the mount to the motor slid the hole thing in place to line up with the driveline and marked the holes on the frame, I used a 9" tail shaft t350 and lined it up with the factory driveline the tube mount ended up being almost perfectly lined up under the factory brake lines, the cross member can hook to the motor either direction(mine is forward), hump forward or back. I'm planning on taking it back out and spinning it around so I can weld of tabs and hang a rack and pinion of the mount. I skipped the bolts that hold on the ends of the crossmember and welded the ends. things to keep in mind where the crossmember passes the front axle, centering, and firewall clearance, I ended up with about four inches behind the hei and about the same between the fan and radiator. before you secure the motor side to side make sure your headers will fit, I had ramhorns fit fine centered, but I had to move the motor 3/4inch passenger side to make the header clear the stock steering box

the only iratation that still exsists on my install was that I had to notch the front crossmember to clear the balancer which would be easily fixed by moveing the brake lines and raiseing the motor, but at the same time low center of gravity is a good thing

[Caveman49]

Thanks for the response nspadoni. I've pretty much come to the conclusion that I'll have to do exactly what you said. I may bolt the trans up to the engine this weekend to give it a shot. I really want to have the trans reworked and get a new stall converter before I actually bolt it in for good. But this measurement shouldn't take tooooo much extra effort..............I'm gettin sorta old, and have to conserve my energy

4 inches of clearance would be great, I hope I get that much. I do have a set of ramhorns as well, and might clean them up and try em......

Thanks,
Lee