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| | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 | Folks, I've been driving my '51 half-ton for several years after putting a Nova subframe in the truck and I have loved every minute. Right now I have the front of the truck apart and the Olds V-8 and Turbo 400 pulled out so that I can clean up and detail things.
When we put the new engine/trans in years ago after the subframe was already in, we left the original crossmember that supported the rear of the old 6 cylinder engine--for strength we guessed. We had to modify the crossmember for trans pan clearance and shifter linkage clearance, but basically, it's not doing anything. The frame is plated really strong at the subframe graft so the big, heavy Nova front crossmember is doing its job and the T-400 is mounted on the heavy crossmember at the rear where the original tranny mounted.
My question is: do I really need the old, rear engine mount crossmember that is really doing nothing but going from frame rail to frame rail?
I appreciate your opinions... Thanks in advance!
Rockettruck
51 1/2 ton-455 rocket!
49 1/2 ton panel-rocket-to-be!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 | Does that crossmember keep your frame from twisting and flexing?
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
| | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 | I guess I don't know. It probably helped control flex to some extent originally, but the larger Nova crossmember along with the boxed frame at the graft probably solves that problem...
51 1/2 ton-455 rocket!
49 1/2 ton panel-rocket-to-be!
| | | | | Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 427 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Jul 2004 Posts: 427 | Pull it, mines gone with no issues. | | | | | Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 866 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jan 2002 Posts: 866 | | | | | | Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 Shop Shark | | Shop Shark Joined: Mar 2006 Posts: 1,703 | | | | | | Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 Apprentice | | Apprentice Joined: Jan 2006 Posts: 33 | Thanks for your input folks. I can now happily say that mine's gone as well. I learned a lot about rivet removal after a late night in the garage! I now have a lot more room for linkage and exhaust and it sure cleans up everything too!
Rockettruck
51 1/2 ton-455 rocket!
49 1/2 ton panel-rocket-to-be!
| | | | | Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 Moderator - The Electrical Bay | | Moderator - The Electrical Bay Joined: Dec 2002 Posts: 3,441 | Mine is also "gone", but I was able to modify the big heavy transmission crossmember to my 700R4, so I'm not worried about flex'n the frame.
Another quality post.
Real Trucks Rattle
HELP! The Paranoids are after me!
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