I used to restore 55-57 Chevy cars and found that the way the engines mounted was fine ,even with 450 HP. So I decided to mount my small block the same way in my 53. I used the trany cross member from a 73-77 Chevelle/Cutlass/Monti/etc. for my front. It's extremely heavy duty and much stronger than the flimsy after market ones and it helps to strenthen the frame. If you use the 55-57 front mount system ,you will find that all the angles to mount are exactly right. All you have to do is hold the mount with the bend facing forward so as to clear the damper on the front of the engine. Have it with a 1 1/2" gap to the front motor mount cross member that is there.Then measure the width of your frame where it is intersecting the Chevelle cross member and cut the cross member 1/2" narrower. Then flaten the tubing to 1/2 the original thickness. Weld two pieces of plate on the ends so as to bolt thru the frame sides.
