custom frame towers for a BBC

[chevy72blu]

Its been some time since I installed my BBC using 73-87 SBC towers in my 72. The thing is, the entire front end (cross member, suspension) is out of a 73-87 truck as well (did it for the disks). My cross member seems to sit quite a bit higher than the 72 x-member, and the result is my motor sitting higher with a more than slight tilt backwards (pulley high, trans low).I had to move my trans x-member back a slight bit. I still havent fired it yet, and after getting home for winter break I decided the thing just isnt right. Because of the angle of my crank pulley, its causing problems getting my rad and fans to clear, but I think I can fix it by lifting the motor, removing the towers, lowering the motor to where I want it to sit, then take make a cardboard template and fab up custom ones to hold it there. My dad's shop had a 1/4" plate bender, but apparently someone broke it recently. I was planning on using 1/4" flat bar to come out from the top of the frame, 90* strait down, and then angle cutting and welding flat bar to go down at the right angle to mate to the motor mounts before doing the same thing again to zero it out at the cross member. I am confident in my welds, but has someone ever done this before that can give me some tips? Should I weld tabs on the sides coming down for strength? Will 1/4" be the best material?

Thanks!

[clay68c10]

That sounds good to me, it matches what I learned at WyoTech chassis fab. 1/4" should be plenty strong.

[kelsfine69]

check these out


http://www.performanceonline.com/sto...cat=455&page=1

[chevy72blu]

DAYUM thats a good idea to use a tube for the actual tower. A buddy of mine has a tube bender with a 1 1/2" dye. Some 1 1/2" Sched 40 might be a lot easier, and definately stronger

[chevy72blu]

Im gonna go look at a 72 with a BBC and a 76 with one also to take some measurements and confirm

[kelsfine69]

I dont think you could actually make them for that price(time considered), but sometimes its not about the money.