Carl: Right now the engine/tranny is just hanging in place from the engine hoist as I get a general idea of how much clearance I have at various points. From time to time I will throw out a perceived problem and may later find no problem exists. This is my first go-round with a 350/first series swap and getting your input as I go is better than screwing something up and having to back-track. I do have classic engineering mounts and I see the motor mount tube is wider than my frame and must be cut down to fit my truck. It also appears that the engine mount brackets will bolt to the frame right where the front brake lines pass thru the frame. Will I have to re-locate the brake lines, or am I getting ahead of myself again? It looks like it's about time to spring for intake manifold, carburetor, and HEI distributor to help nail down exact engine location. Thanks to you and everyone helping to walk me through this.
That is not the same engine mount setup which I am using from Classic Engineering. Unfortunately Classic Engineering's owner recently passed away, but rumor has it that someone has bought the business and hopefully they will be up and running soon and produce the same quality of really nice parts for modifying our heaps of junk.
Chevs of the Forties used to sell a similar, if not the exact same mount setup, but I just searched there and all they have now is the replacement rubber parts and the metal bracket which bolts to the engine. They no longer list the bolt-on frame bracket.
If you are unable to find the kit I am talking about, you can lift the engine far enough in the front to clear the front crossmember with the serpentine pulley in place, meanwhile you want to shoot for just enough room to slide your open hand behind the full sized HEI distributor. As bartamos mentioned, you want the carburetor to be parallel to the ground when the engine is in place.
Once you have done this, you will need to adjust the height of your current engine mounts to maintain the above mentioned engine position.
I strongly recommend the GM serpentine system. It rocks and there is plenty of room for it.
I have a completed '49 with the Classic Engineering setup, and a '52 with the same setup, but it is just the frame (no engine or body on it). I can take some exact measurements of the mount location if you need it.
Carl
