1969 engine mounting problems

[malexander44]

So I am trying to put my 350 in the other day and am having some problems. First off, I think I am using the I6 towers, which I like having the engine further back so that is not an issue for me. The problem is that I cannot get the holes from the towers and the holes on the mounts to line up. The towers that I have have a hole that is 1.5 inches in diameter and when I drop the engine in, I can get one bolt started to thread then the other one is to high by about half an inch.

Should I open up the tower holes even more?

Or should I unbolt everything, mounts and towers. Loosely thread the towers to the motor loosely thread the mounts to the engine and lower the towers onto the frame and loosely thread them on. Then start cranking everything tight?

HELP!!!!

Thanks
Mark

[chevy72blu]

Drilling new holes isnt a big deal, I had to quite a bit in order to fit my BBC. You may have to move your trans crossmember to compensate, but as long as you have enough room on your driveshaft yoke you should be fine.

[clay68c10]

Go with your second option, put it together loose so you can shift things around as needed and then tighten it up when things are where you want them. I like to keep the eng supported just enough to be able to get the towers situated without all of the weight on them.

[clay68c10]

And welcome to the board from just south of you!!

[dznucks]

be careful doing a loose fit then tightening. you could preload the bolts and towers such that they will not be able to withstand the torque of motor while under hard load. idealy there should not be any alignment issues.

[A.P.]

Got any pic.s?

[malexander44]

thanks for the information everyone. I'll have pics tomorrow hopefully with the engine in.

Clay... I grew up in Bedford, went to harwood jr. high and trinity. Glad to know there's some locals on this board.

Just out of curiosity, I've read on this board that I6 and V8 towers were the same, my question is: how come if I try to move my ( which I believe are I6 towers) back to where the V8 towers are supposed to mount to the only holes that line up are on the frame the holes on the xmember are WAY off. I'll take pics tomorrow.

Thanks again for the help

Mark

[Wrenchbender Ret]

I,ve always cut the holes in the towers larger. There is always some misalignment & it is tough getting the bolts started. Sounds like you are quite a ways off though. Maybe you could mark where one of the towers should be & drill some new holes.

[malexander44]

how much "play" is there on lining everything up. By that I meen, do i need to have the trans and driveshaft mounted to the motor and rearend? I'm asking this cause I dont have my trans or driveshaft yet. So if the engine is mounted let's just say an onch off center will the drveshaft be able to compensate for the offset.

[GlennBrittain]

I have a 350 in on the I6 mounts which are bolted down on the back set of holes. The mounts were on the truck when I bought it. I pulled the 307 and put in a 350. If you have the option get the proper V8 towers and bolt them in the front holes. I have a MSD dizzy which is right on the firewall. I bought a set of V8 towers from another board member but have not had the time to move my engine forward. I can take some pics if you need them. I also have a set of I6 towers that I removed from another truck that had a 350 on the six mounts. If you want your motor in the back position you can have these for the ride.
There were some pictures posted in the past showing which holes were for what.

[LockDoc]

Originally Posted by malexander44

Just out of curiosity, I've read on this board that I6 and V8 towers were the same, my question is: how come if I try to move my ( which I believe are I6 towers) back to where the V8 towers are supposed to mount to the only holes that line up are on the frame the holes on the xmember are WAY off. I'll take pics tomorrow.

Thanks again for the help

Mark

I-6 and V-8 towers are not the same....

LockDoc