I acquired a low mileage 350 and TH 350 set up over the weekend and am looking into what it will take for the install. Running stock front suspension with a Sid's front axle. I have an updated rear end already. Runnin a 3.43 out of a 1994 Blazer 4 x 4. Who makes the most painless cross members? Do I need to worry about hugger headers, or just space the steering box? Any other surprises I need to worry about?
We moved the engine over to the right and still spaced the steering box out a bit for clearance. I used a tubular crossmember and a droped trans crossmember that most shops sell. I ended up cutting some space in the top of the frame for the headers and the fuel pump, then braced the frame. You will need tight tuck block huggers or the Tru Ram from Speedway ( these are nice cast pieces that will not develop the dreaded header leak that most get where the tubes all come together) I will be ordering a set for mine when I do my engine swap. I'll get some pictures up soon in the 327 in a 53 page.
Hello Coach I put a 283 in my '50 3600 by using a v-8 front mount (horse collar) from an early 60's chevy truck sitting on a fabbed up crossmember. I did move the stock steering box outboard @ 2 inches and turned the ball in the pitman arm towards the inside to better align the drag link. I also trimmed a tad off the outboard side of the colum hole through the firewall and remounted the steering wheel in the stock location. I took out the stock tranny cross member and replaced it with one from a late 50's truck so I could use the bell housing from the same early 60's chevy truck. On the exhaust I used a set of 57 front dump log style manifolds from a 265.
Moved the engine far enogh so that we wouldn't have to cut the steering hole any larger......Just slid the steering as far as it would go.
Sleepindawg, I LIKE your style. Instead of sitting around wringing your hands or wearing out a computer looking for an exact bolt in you grab what's on hand and "Gitter done". That's the true definition of hot rodding. Coach 529, you might want to check out Chassis Engineering for crossmembers and mounts. They are one of a few that give you a choice of weld in or bolt in on many of their parts. It's also the winter indoor show season and you can just about bet any AD there will have a V8. Never hurts to see what others have done and what looks the best.
If I'm not mistaken, they are also based right here in Iowa, not quite two hours from my front door. I've often wondered if they allow customer visits to their facility... I'd go up and check it out in a heartbeat. They have an extensive catalog, and many parts which are specifically engineered for our old Chevy trucks. I remember being in West Branch years ago as an elementary school student touring the Herbert Hoover presidential library. Damon
