Carl, I have a 305 in my 52 panel, did all the work myself. Its not that hard. Check out my photobucket on my panel and it may explain a lot.
I did NOT use a crossmember under the engine. I purchased the set of mounts that fit into the frame rails. Made by Chassis Engineering but can be purchased from JimCarter. At the time they were cheaper from JC with my discount. The mounts come with instructions and if you follow them you should be fine. My Big distributor does not hit the firewall. The engine is not "totally level" by only a couple degree on the carb plate but I did not want to trim the toe board to raise the rear of the tranny up anymore so I left it....actually, I trimmed the toeboard about a 1/4" but you can't see it once the tranny cover is in place. It let the tranny come up just enough.
I'm using a 700R4 tranny and can send you a copy of what we use at Carolina Driveline for people to measure their driveshafts. Measure twice, and correctly, and cut once!
I used 283 ram horn exhaust manifolds which worked great. I also moved the steering box outside, and to the front of the chassis using a 1976 pickup reman power steering box a double "D" shaft that went through the inner fender. I used a kit from Classic Parts for the bracket, bushing, draglink and steering arm...and I went ahead and dropped in the upgraded tie rod ends.
I like the set up...you can see in my photobucket.
I might add that I also used a serpentine best set up and it is absolutely great. The brackets I got off a '89 S-10 V6 pickup. The brackets will bolt to the front of a small block Chevy and holds the power steering, A/C, Alternator. One belt gets it all. The back of the motor on my electric fan was a little close to the tensioner for the belt but a little adjustment made it OK.
......you may want to double check the engine you use just to be sure it has the holes in head/engine to bolt on the S-10 but I see a LOT of them in my area so it must not be a big deal.
One thing I did have to do was change the water pump. You simply order one for the V6 engine and it bolts right to the small block Chevy. You need it because it turns "backwards" when running a serpentine system. This system also beats paying out the ying yang for all those pulleys the hot rod guys want to sell you. I had my brackets powered coated a gray color.
Any questions you may have please PM me. Depending on the route you take I'd be glad to help you...or you can email or call me.
EDIT: I used a pitman arm from a 69 Buick Skylard my nephew had laying in his shop. The instructions suggest/tell you what will work. There are several. No need to pay 65 or 70 bucks for one when the scrap yard is full of them....and you can take the steering box and use it for a core on a new steering box!!
Last edited by Achipmunk; 01/02/2015 4:42 AM.
