Front Crossmember swap

[andsonsvd]

Hey All From Australia.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I just have a couple of questions regarding my 235 swap from 58 3100 to a 49 4400. I have put a picture of each cross member.

Can i just swap the two cross members? If so do I just grind the Rivets off?

Also what size eye bolt do I need to use instead of a head bolt to use as a lifting point for the 235?

Thanks Shane

The first is the 58 the second is the 49.

[mr48chev]

No, the 58 front crossmember is much wider than the AD crossmember.

The normal way to do that swap is to use the early front plate that the motor mount bolts to on the later engine and use the early mount. but you have to remove the timing gear to do that.

[mr48chev]

If the front plate behind the timing cover has the lip on it below the timing cover most guys used to drill that plate to match the motor mount bolt holes for the flat mount that bolts to the AD crossmember and bolt it in place.

[OrrieG]

It looks like the 48 is already set up for side motor mounts? any chance your 235 is a later replacement with side mounts?

[andsonsvd]

Thanks everyone, has anyone got pictures of the early mounts?

Orge, The truck was setup for a SBC. so don't think those mounts will work. the 235 does have side mounts, but i think they are different?

Thanks everyone.

Anybody know the eyebolt size for the head bolts?

Shane

[andsonsvd]

I was reading here and I assume this is what you are suggesting.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/en...ont/index.html

also here: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/motormount_235.html

If so I would love to know what the "Lip" that I'm looking for looks like? and also where i would get a front mount from?

thanks Shane

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by andsonsvd

I was reading here and I assume this is what you are suggesting.

http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/en...ont/index.html

also here: http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/motormount_235.html

If so I would love to know what the "Lip" that I'm looking for looks like? and also where i would get a front mount from?

thanks Shane

The "lip" is the piece that sticks out at the bottom of the plate


That page listed the hard parts for the mount and the rubber piece should be available from most parts houses.

As it already has the tube crossmember in it for the V8 you may be able to modify that setup to work with the 235 side mounts if your block is drilled for side mounts. That might simplify things.

[andsonsvd]

MR48CHEV,

I looked at the engine today and it does have the "LIP" but it doesn't have holes drilled.

I thought about using the SBC mounts but the issue is the V8 is so much wider by almost double so I don't know if custom mounts will work?

Shane

[OrrieG]

Take a look at this thread, it has a number of options for side mounts.

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...d.php?t=629973

One that might work for your is this, the guy said he was trying to make it easy to drop in a SBC later, so essentially fabbed a spacer between the block and angled mount. It is in a 54 car but same principle.

[mphudak]

Side note, beyond the mounts there is a different water pump for 55.1 and earlier to the 55.2 and later engines. Scroll down a little over 1/2 down the page to the "216 to 235 Swap" section. http://www.stovebolt.com/techtips/engine_swap_216.htm

[mr48chev]

Originally Posted by andsonsvd

MR48CHEV,

I looked at the engine today and it does have the "LIP" but it doesn't have holes drilled.

I thought about using the SBC mounts but the issue is the V8 is so much wider by almost double so I don't know if custom mounts will work?

Shane

That is why I mentioned in post #3 that most guys just drill the holes in that plate. Chevy didn't punch the bolt holes in the plate as they didn't realize that guys would be swapping the later 235 engines into the early trucks on a regular basis.
That is the simple way if you are going to use the bellhousing mounts on the back. If you use the trans mount on the back you will have to figure out how to get the side mounts to work. The way that will happen is that you either build brackets off the engine to work with them or build new mounts on that tube crossmember that will work with the 235 side mounts.
This is where you stop, take a deep breath and visualize how you are going to make it work.