68 k10 engine crossmember positioning

[68isgreat]

Hello, I'm getting ready to drop in my new crate early 90's 350 tbi/700r4/241c passenger drop combo in my 68 K10, and I'm leaning towards moving the engine crossmember forward from the current 6 cylinder factory position, to get more firewall clearance, and move the fan closer to the radiator. If I leave it as is, according to my measurements of the engine, there's about 4-5" between the fan and the radiator, even with my long shaft water pump. If I move it forward however, the crossmember will be more or less directly over the axle. That seems like it would be a problem. Am I overthinking it? Didn't the factory install v8's in the forward position?

Thanks-

[birdistheword]

Couldn't tell you the exact V8 mounting spot for the engine cross member, but I remember the HEI distributor being very close to the firewall on my 69 K20. The fan shroud for the V8 4x4 trucks is also pretty deep.

[1970cstblazer]

Originally Posted by birdistheword

Couldn't tell you the exact V8 mounting spot for the engine cross member, but I remember the HEI distributor being very close to the firewall on my 69 K20. The fan shroud for the V8 4x4 trucks is also pretty deep.

X2. The factory K series V8 positioning doesn't leave a lot of room between the distributor and firewall. There is tons of room in the front, but differential to crossmember clearance must be a consideration.

[68isgreat]

Thanks for the replies! I guess I'll just leave it in the rear position then. I'll be dialing in the engine timing before the cab is put on, so I guess firewall clearance isn't that big an issue. I've read that the factory K10 driveshaft is 29.5" long, and I'm using a front driveshaft from a 90 suburban, which has the double cardan joint and is about 31.5" long, presumably to make up for the longer 700r4 trans and the width of the adapter to the 241c. Will be interesting to see if that driveshaft bolts right up without adjustment. Fingers crossed.

[57taskforce]

Do the noble thing and join some of us in the lift kit club if the front shaft is too long at stock height! As I said in your other thread all v8 k trucks are mounted in the rear position. If an Hei will clear (they do) than the tbi distributor will be a breeze(it will), they are smaller than the HEI.