The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The HiPo Shop Engine Mount Option for SBC Swap on Stock Frame

...they do make a cross member and lots of other vendors as well.
The engine sits very nice. I'm running the big distributor and I can still "cup" my hand around the back of it. When "leveling" the engine I did cut maybe 3/8" right at the top of where the tranny cover goes to the firewall. Created no problem and all is well.

I have drum brakes all he way around. (Disc MAYBE later) However it stops doggone good. I've had to "stand on the brakes" a time or two and I was really surprised. The power steering works like a charm. If you go power steering be sure to make sure your tie rod ends are good or use the new ones. The power steering probably puts a little more pressure on the ends. I used the news ones from Classic Parts and you do not have to ream the holes.

It handles pretty good for a Panel but I did HAVE to put a sway bar under the back. It could get a little hairy on a sharp turn being its top heavy. After installing the sway bar it drives good.
Hope this helps.

EDIT: if you go small block on original frame you may want to think about using the brackets off a 4.3 Chevy S-10 so you can run a serpentine belt. All you have to do is change the water pump. The one for the 4.3 will bolt to the small block. I love the serpentine system but since I'm running an electric fan I did have a SMALL problem with the back of the electric fan wanting to rum the belt tensioner a TAT. A little adjusting and all is well. The S-10 brackets hot the power steering pump, alternator, A/C. Check out my photobucket for some pics.