engine mount question

[LeesTruk]

I'm getting ready to swap an LS engine (5.3L) into my '80swb C10 which currently has a 250 six. Are the engine mounts that are bolted to the frame in the same location for the sixes and V8's, or are the locations specific to the engine? Thanks

[solidaxel]

Dirty Dingo is your friend!

[First c10]

I used Early Classic Enterprises LS conversion kit. They fit great!!!

[LeesTruk]

Gents, what I'm starting with is engine plates from Tejas-Steelworks and stock Chevy clamshells. I just need to know if the frame mounts in my 6 cyl. truck are in the same position as a V8 truck. Thanks

[First c10]

I would say you will have to test fit because they make so many variations of mounts.

[BR3W CITY]

Originally Posted by LeesTruk

Gents, what I'm starting with is engine plates from Tejas-Steelworks and stock Chevy clamshells. I just need to know if the frame mounts in my 6 cyl. truck are in the same position as a V8 truck. Thanks

The 6 and 8's used different engine perches, both will accept the sbc clamshell. In general, the 6's will be mounted in the "other" set of holes (you'll see there should be multiple sets of holes on your frame, from where the factory allows either combination to be installed). You can move either set of perches to either hole, as needed for clearance.

In my case, I needed to move my engine forward about 1" while using '66 I6 perches and LS adapter plates, to feel comfortable with the room to work. You could probably go another 1/2" back, to be "perfect".

Every combo will be a little different. I'm unaware of the Tejas plates, but I'm guessing they work like every other swap-plate. I'd suggest that you unbolt the perches from the kmember, bolt the plates and mounts all up to the engine, then set the engine in slowly and see where it and the perches WANT to line up. Some of us also use 1 existing frame hole, then drill another (forward or aft) to allow for further-offset mounting if you really need it.

[First c10]

Originally Posted by BR3W CITY

The 6 and 8's used different engine perches, both will accept the sbc clamshell. In general, the 6's will be mounted in the "other" set of holes (you'll see there should be multiple sets of holes on your frame, from where the factory allows either combination to be installed). You can move either set of perches to either hole, as needed for clearance.

In my case, I needed to move my engine forward about 1" while using '66 I6 perches and LS adapter plates, to feel comfortable with the room to work. You could probably go another 1/2" back, to be "perfect".

Every combo will be a little different. I'm unaware of the Tejas plates, but I'm guessing they work like every other swap-plate. I'd suggest that you unbolt the perches from the kmember, bolt the plates and mounts all up to the engine, then set the engine in slowly and see where it and the perches WANT to line up. Some of us also use 1 existing frame hole, then drill another (forward or aft) to allow for further-offset mounting if you really need it.

Leestruk.....What he said!!!

And welcome to the board!!!post some pictures!

[LeesTruk]

Again, thanks for the response. First, Tejas Steelworks is a custom fabrication/hotrod building shop in Texas, run by Scotty Baccus. He laser cuts LS mounting plates that allow the use of the clamshells and puts the engine in position so that the stock ac compressor can be used in its' original location without resorting to crossmember modification. He also has published an LS installation guide for the square bodied trucks. Check him and the guide on Facebook.

I took some pic's of my engine mount (pass.side) so that maybe you can enlighten me a little.





I'm not seeing any provision for changing the mount location, either fwd. or aft. I have seen in the pre '73 trucks that you would change the frame pad position for whatever engine you had, but my truck has me stumped.

Concerning pic's, check out my new member posting

Later...

Lee

[First c10]

Lee,
I just noticed that your swap vehicle is an '80 my comments are for pre 73' sorry about that as I am not sure about the square bodies... I will look at the pictures when I get home. My work computer will not allow me to see the pictures from a link like photobucket and other online photo storage sites. Only uploaded images...

[BR3W CITY]

Lee, I wrote everything from the perspective of the 63-mid70's swaps, so its good advice-just about the wrong truck haha.

It looks like yours are bolted directly to the crossmember without using an additional perch. With that being the case, the location won't change I6 to V8, only the engine-side plate would change. Something like this would be whats bolted to your engine. The mount would stay where it is on the kmember.

[LeesTruk]

Thank you, sir. Maybe another piece of the LS puzzle is solved

Later...

Lee