Can't install my TH400 due to a cross member right behind engine

[Dogeared]

Have a 65 C10 with a 350 and want to install a TH400. When I tried to mount the tranny the cross member behind the engine (maybe 6 - 8 inches) blocked me from moving it forward.

This was originally a 6 cylinder 4 speed truck. I am guessing the cross member is actually the tranny mount for the 4 speed. It looks like it is also a part of the frame support. My plans are to cut the cross member out and then mount the TH400. I have a new cross member that I will install when I mount the new tranny

Does anyone have experience with this and will it substantially weaken the frame?

[kerber63]

The crossmember was where the bellhousing mounted originally. It won’t hurt anything to get rid of it.

[Dogeared]

Thanks Kerber63. I was hoping to hear that. Lookout crossmember here I come

[oldusafmsgt]

Yup, get rid of it, not needed with an automatic.

[raidmagic]

[Dans66Chevy]

I cut mine out my 60 with a torch. Very easy solution.

[LostMy65]

I used a Sawzall

[argonaut]

Cut the heads of the rivets off with a domed cutoff wheel on your grinder. Pound them out with a punch and remove the bellhousing support crossmember. Nice and clean.

[sixty4bigwindow]

Originally Posted by raidmagic

Best response ever.

[Dogeared]

Thanks everyone for the help. I did use a Sawzall and it cut through like butter. May do more to clean up the remaining ends.

Got the tranny in and bolted the torque converter to the flex plate. Hammered the transmission X-member into position and mounted the tail piece of the tranny to it. Just finished installing my shifter, a B&M Unishifter.

Do have another question. The engine seems to be mounted a little high in the engine bay and leans back at a fairly sharp angle toward the firewall. Wondering about the motor mounts.

The guy I bought the truck from said they used the mounts from his 67 Chevy truck. I also noticed that only the top part of the mount is bolted into the frame. The engine is a 350 from a 74 Chevelle. Any suggestions or words of advice?

[PGSigns]

I got concerned when you said "hammered the cross member in". What cross member are you using? The engine angle is affected by the crossmember on the trans. Fun thing with these old trucks is you never really know what all the previous owners have done.
Jimmy

[Dogeared]

I had two to choose from. One had been cut open with a torch where the tranny mount would have been placed and would have lowered the tail piece about two inches lower so would have caused even more angle.

The one I chose was like new, had been bead blasted and painted and matched perfectly with the spacing of my universal mount. I could have installed it in upside down but all the other X-members were oriented the same way I installed it. I could see where several holes had been drilled through the frame so probably had some other type of X-member in there at one time.

You are absolutely correct, I have inherited a lot of past owners work. Not all of it a good thing.

[PGSigns]

What did they come from? You just can't shove a cross member in and call it good.
Jimmy

[Captainfab]

A factory '63-'87 truck auto trans crossmember will work just fine and the angle of the engine should be correct. Of course that is dependent on what engine mounts someone else installed.

[Dogeared]

Thanks again guys for the advice and concerns. I was told by the previous owner the X-member was for my truck. It did look different than the old cut up one but very similar to the other X-members in the frame.

The engine mounts are from his 67 chevy pu. There is quite a bit of room for the engine to sit lower in the engine bay so that and the angle of the engine just had me wondering.

I am also a bit sketchy on the fact that there are only two bolts to the frame for each mount. There are four holes in the mounts but no corresponding holes in the K member I guess it's possible the original mounts were two bolt.

[Captainfab]

The '67-'72 trucks have 5 different engine mounts. The 230/250 I 6 mounts for '67-'72. The 292 I6 mounts for '67-'72. The small block mounts for '67-'72. The big block mounts for '68-'71 and the big block mounts for '72 only.

It sounds to me like the wrong engine mount brackets are used in the wrong location. They should all have at least 3 bolts in each mount. Two in the top of the frame and one into the crossmember. You say there are 4 holes in the mounts. That being the case, those are not original 1967 engine mount brackets. Those sound like the '73-'87 engine mount brackets.

A couple of pics will help determine what is going on.

[Dogeared]

Thanks everyone. All good feedback. I went ahead and bought some new mounts made specifically for my 65 with a 350 engine swap from Summit Racing. Before I try to run the truck I will swap the new mounts in. This way I am more confident that everything has a good foundation.

The truck has sat for 14 years but I can turn the engine by hand using a flywheel tool, so at least the pistons aren't frozen and everything above and below is moving. Will do a compression test to ensure no valves are stuck or rings are frozen. Have rebuilt the carb and purchased a priming tool, a new distributor, new wires and plugs and changed the oil and oil filter.

The truck came with an aluminum radiator which is in the truck. It's been an challenge but I think I have found the correct radiator hoses. Freeze plugs look good. Had the tranny rebuilt and a new torque converter and flex plate.

Also came with a set of headers I'm going to try to install once I get the engine running. Purchased new Header extensions so I can tap into the existing exhaust system. Could be fun running down to the muffler shop with the headers wide open.

Engine is out of a 74 Chevelle, bored .40 over, low compression pistons, large combustion chambers, small valves but does have an Isky 264 mega cam and the torque converter is a Hughs 2100 stall. Add it all up and it ain't no hot rod. I would have done it completely different but that's what she came with. Carb is a Edelbrock 600 that has been rebuilt several times before I rebuilt it. Not sure what the rear-end gears ratio is. Previous owner seems to think it is either a 373 or 410.

Not sure how to publish images but when I find out how I will publish a couple.

[Captainfab]

I seriously doubt that those aftermarket engine mount brackets will be correct. All of the aftermarket ones I have seen are for mounting a small block in the forward position as is done in the '67-'72's. Unless what you bought are something that I have not seen before. Half of the people in the aftermarket don't understand the '60-'66 trucks.

Originally Posted by Dogeared

Thanks everyone. All good feedback. I went ahead and bought some new mounts made specifically for my 65 with a 350 engine swap from Summit Racing.

[Dogeared]

Not sure what you mean by the forward position. The mounts I have now are from a 67 that my current 350 was taken from. They are aligned with the K member as I would have thought they should be. What am I missing here?

[The Rocknrod]

I have a pair of POL frame mounts that I installed in the rear two holes on the frame of course the top rail had to be trimmed back to use them (there are three holes on the top frame rail each side). Used stock motor mounts on the engine side. Some pics here, no advantage other than looks I guess. http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=456234

[Dogeared]

Thanks Rocknrod.

[aotte1]

Just a note on the automatic crossmember install. I have only installed them with the frame rails separated some. Not sure how heavy a hammer you need to you for inplace install. Maybe a little rounding of front edges will help? Captain should know. Also, maybe using a come-along to winch in place would help. Good luck.

Les