R-Bo, yes, that "universal" v8 tube-mount fits between the rails to allow use of the usual side mounts on later engines - the original 283 mounted on pegs off the front of the block onto brackets on the backside of the front frame crossmember, but if it had a 6, which mounted to the top of the crossmember,, it didn't have those frame brackets, so folks hafta fake it - except that the OEM style front mounts are available now, so you could easily make it right - all the 283's have the mount points on the block, most of the later small blocks did too, tho some didn't have all the holes drilled and tapped
most folks would call the aftermarket thing a "crossmember", and of course it would be "new" [not a replacement], and where it mounts there is a brake line that runs from the master cyl to the left front brake, and some of them T there to cross the front crossmember to the right wheel
so someone did what folks usually do, and was too lazy to remove/replace the brake line, the mount setup isn't uncommon, but the laziness might be
the rust spots are as Evan sez, check it over well - the glass is all easily available, except the small back window [big window is repro'd now, as is windshield]
lotsa help here for the TF series if you go for it - be sure to get some pictures, we all like pictures
Bill
