The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot Panels 'N Burbs V8 Transplant into a '61 Suburban

I want to install a Small Block 400 with a 350 Turbo into my '61 Suburban and I am wondering what is the best way to approach this. It had a 6 cylinder in it, with the motor mount brackets welded to the frame on each side. I would rather bolt on motor mount brackets but on a '61 there aren't any holes in the frame. Is it safe to drill holes in the frame to mount these brackets, should I weld them on, or is there a kit that can be purchased to mount a V8 into a '61. What other pitfalls should I be aware of before I proceed with this transplant...clearance issues, driveshaft???

I helped my son install a 350 in his '60 Burb. We used the side motor mounts from '68 Suburban. We drilled a couple of holes in the frame and on in the cross member. Depending on the length difference between the transmissions, your drive shaft may or may not need shortening. BTW best to install new u-joints and have the driveshaft balanced.

I've also heard from many people that the later motor mounts simply bolt in--drilling the holes shouldn't be a problem. In fact, I've heard from a bunch of people that the whole cross member from the later trucks will bolt right in, giving you motor mounts, coil springs and factory disc brakes. But I REALLY like the ride of the torsion bars, so I'm not going that way on my '62.
Year One carries new motor mounts for the later trucks if you don't have any luck in the junk yards.
-Brad

I put a 350 /350nturb tranny combo in my 61. Used new side motor mounts from a late model 350 truck and a cross member. everything bolted right in and worked great. I also recommend having the drive shaft balanced and new u joints installed. The motor mounts I got were 8 bucks from car quest.

Hey Handy,
Can you go into a little more detail (since my '62 is going to be the same deal as the '61).
How late of a truck was your donor for the mounts?
When you say "and the cross member," are you talking about the trans cross member, or the front suspension/engine cross member?
Thanks,
-Brad

Brad

The mounts were from a 70's 350 chevy truck as was the tranny cross member. My parts guy is an old timer and new just what to order. He still uses books to look up part #'s. I will look for part #'s on my receipts so you can cross reference them. I'll be away picking up another truck for a few days so I'l check when I get back. Also, 69 Camaro 350 mounts will work as well.

So the trans cross member went in without a lot of cutting/welding?
I work at Year One, and have a couple of auto parts store guys here that are great (the kind where you can walk in and ask them for a short water pump for a small block Chevy, and they don't stare at the computer and ask you "What year?"), so the part numbers for motor mounts aren't a problem.
I was mainly wondering about the trans cross member.
I will start hitting the junkyards hard!

Thanks for this info.
I'm going to guess the cross member needed a couple holes drilled, which is no big deal. I'll figure out the driveshaft angle, but hopefully that will fall into place with a factory cross member.

-Brad

24me14u did u buy the 61 burb from a guy named carl?