Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

gkesseru · 08-05-2010, 09:04 PM

I bought a 68 Step with a 350/TH350 on a 67 frame. I stripped it all the way down without noticing where the engine mounts were located. I replaced the front cross-member and suspension from an '81. In the build-up, I placed the motor mounts in the only place where the holes lined up and where the drive-shaft fit. Recently one of you commented that I have the engine mounts in the 6 Cylinder (rear) position instead of the 8 Cylinder (front) position.
- Which is which?
- There are no holes in the cross-member that line up with the front position, also there seems to be no flat spot in the cross member in the front position.
- If I leave it here will the distributor fit?
- If I move the engine forward I will have to drill new holes, extend the drive-shaft and extend the exhaust.
Are the attached pictures the proper mounts for a 350 into a 68?

71swb4x4 · 08-05-2010, 09:10 PM

It does look like the 6 cylinder position. Not a big deal. 4x4's had the V8 engine in the same place, so you know the distributor will fit. A standard HEI cap will be tight though.

gkesseru · 08-05-2010, 09:13 PM

My dist is a Mallory optical with the small cap, so it should fit. There is a picture on my build thread below of the original engine compartment.

71swb4x4 · 08-05-2010, 09:18 PM

I had a stock 4x4 with an HEI and it worked, just close.

You should run a 4x4 fan shroud rather than the 2wd. The 4x4 is deeper to compensate for the position of the engine.

gkesseru · 08-05-2010, 09:29 PM

I have an electric fan with no shroud right now.

dfwright · 08-05-2010, 11:59 PM

Does trading sides make any difference on where they will fit? When I look at the pictures of mine before I took them off, the flange that bolts to the frame has the angled part aimed toward the back of the truck. Looking at yours, it looks like yours has the angle towards the front. Mine is a 2wd, 1/2 ton, I don't know if that makes a difference

treveiger · 08-06-2010, 12:38 AM

The guy that restored my truck switched the front end to a earlys 80 truck too and my motor mounts are mounted in the front position (V8 mounts) ill look tomorrow an see if i can take pictures to help you out. Your going to love the front end, the way it rides, drives, and all around handles with the 80s front end. I drove mine over 80mph down the interstate without a problem and enjoyed the ride all the way home the day i bought it.

08-05-2010, 09:04 PM	#1
gkesseru Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 544	Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? I bought a 68 Step with a 350/TH350 on a 67 frame. I stripped it all the way down without noticing where the engine mounts were located. I replaced the front cross-member and suspension from an '81. In the build-up, I placed the motor mounts in the only place where the holes lined up and where the drive-shaft fit. Recently one of you commented that I have the engine mounts in the 6 Cylinder (rear) position instead of the 8 Cylinder (front) position. - Which is which? - There are no holes in the cross-member that line up with the front position, also there seems to be no flat spot in the cross member in the front position. - If I leave it here will the distributor fit? - If I move the engine forward I will have to drill new holes, extend the drive-shaft and extend the exhaust. Are the attached pictures the proper mounts for a 350 into a 68? Attached Images __________________ 72 Fleet (died) 78 Step (sold) 55 Step named Fred (sold) 00 F150 68 Step (named El Scorcho by PO) Build thread for the new El Scorcho http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392932

08-05-2010, 09:10 PM	#2
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? It does look like the 6 cylinder position. Not a big deal. 4x4's had the V8 engine in the same place, so you know the distributor will fit. A standard HEI cap will be tight though. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

08-05-2010, 09:13 PM	#3
gkesseru Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 544	Re: Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? My dist is a Mallory optical with the small cap, so it should fit. There is a picture on my build thread below of the original engine compartment. __________________ 72 Fleet (died) 78 Step (sold) 55 Step named Fred (sold) 00 F150 68 Step (named El Scorcho by PO) Build thread for the new El Scorcho http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392932

08-05-2010, 09:18 PM	#4
71swb4x4 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2003 Location: Brookings, SD Posts: 10,497	Re: Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? I had a stock 4x4 with an HEI and it worked, just close. You should run a 4x4 fan shroud rather than the 2wd. The 4x4 is deeper to compensate for the position of the engine. __________________ Some people are like slinkies, they aren't good for anything, but you can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

08-05-2010, 09:29 PM	#5
gkesseru Registered User Join Date: Dec 2009 Location: California, Maryland Posts: 544	Re: Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? I have an electric fan with no shroud right now. __________________ 72 Fleet (died) 78 Step (sold) 55 Step named Fred (sold) 00 F150 68 Step (named El Scorcho by PO) Build thread for the new El Scorcho http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=392932

08-05-2010, 11:59 PM	#6
dfwright Registered User Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 1,374	Re: Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? Does trading sides make any difference on where they will fit? When I look at the pictures of mine before I took them off, the flange that bolts to the frame has the angled part aimed toward the back of the truck. Looking at yours, it looks like yours has the angle towards the front. Mine is a 2wd, 1/2 ton, I don't know if that makes a difference __________________ 1972 C10 LWB, 350/350 Deconstruction began 5/2009, mostly completed restoration, 5/2017 Last edited by dfwright; 08-06-2010 at 12:03 AM.

08-06-2010, 12:38 AM	#7
treveiger Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: South Dakota Posts: 4,093	Re: Where does the engine go? Or am I short-shafted too? The guy that restored my truck switched the front end to a earlys 80 truck too and my motor mounts are mounted in the front position (V8 mounts) ill look tomorrow an see if i can take pictures to help you out. Your going to love the front end, the way it rides, drives, and all around handles with the 80s front end. I drove mine over 80mph down the interstate without a problem and enjoyed the ride all the way home the day i bought it.



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