The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop T5 cross member?

Was wondering if any of you 235/T5 folks were running a cross member/S10 mount under your conversions? I have the single front engine mount and side mounts on the bell housing and had planned on fabricating my own cross member but got to thinking that this would make it a 4 mount system that might set up some extra stresses between the T5 and the bell housing.
I don't really feel comfortable with the unsupported transmission hanging way out in back so if you've got some suggestions, they would be appreciated.

I used a universal type crossmember. I believe it was a 4 inch drop. They have different size drops. I got a 2" first and it didn't fit, if I remember correctly. I got it from a local hot rod shop but you can find em all over. Good luck.

I've seen several of the cross members for transmission mounts at the swap meets. Most of them are for automatics, I believe, but could work. My original cross member goes under the T-5 transmission with about 7/8" left between the transmission rear mount and the cross member. The crossmember lines up directly under the T-5 mount. I can use it if I can come up with some kind of mount. Most of the production mounts I've seen are about 2" thick, so I'm going to have to invent my own, I guess.

I really don't see why you would have any problems mounting the tail of the T-5 to a cross member. My stock transmission was tied to the crossmember and I, too, have the front motor mount with the bell housing mounts.

Joe

55-57 Chevy used that system, I raced around in those for years and never had any problem what so ever. You could actually add a cross member in there as well if you want some real support making it a 5 point system. for the front I used a 73-77 Chevelle trany cross member facing bacwards.Then I drilled the holes for the mounts into that and cut it to the correct width, finally welding plates to the sides of it so I could bolt it to the inside of the frame. It had the exact angles on it for the front mounts.
Lothar

mine is a simple 2''x 3'' box tube run dead straight across the frame. uses the stock T5 rear tranny support rubber. two grade 8, 1/2'' bolts attach to the bottom side of the frame which has been re-inforced along that stretch of frame. this angle allows for the 2-3 degrees tilt needed off my 292 motor. The 292 has two offset biscuit style rubber mounts.
I just have three points of support. the T5 weighs in @ 75-80 lbs., but w/ the two forward and third support @ the rear of the tranny I feel that's good.

Thanks guys! I was just a little concerned with using a 4 point mount system. The 6's torque moves things around and I didn't want to set up anything that was causing undue stress on the mounting flanges. A friend who builds and races modifieds mentioned that they used solid motor mounts and just left the aluminum Muncie (I think) hang out unsupported. He said the only time they had a problem was when an engine or diff let go. Think I'll go ahead and fab a crossmember just to be safe. (conventional)

Thanks again.

I have been running a T-5 without a rear crossmember for almost 2 years now with no problems, the support from bell housing mounts are all that is needed.

I didn't plan on putting one in either. While longer, the T5 is much lighter than a 420, which, on my '54 never had a rear support.

Some guys are running an adaptor plate between the bellhousing and trans, in this case the crossmember is a must. But, the factory used a mount at the rear so I'd do the same.

I modified the original crossmember in my '53. I sent you some pictures. Real easy and looks like it could be factory.
Good Luck.
Colin

Thanks again folks, you've given me some great ideas and a bunch of options. Colin, the pictures of your crossmember were absolutely outstanding. You should have a website set up to share your work.

Speaking of websites, I have recently added a site to chronical my first venture into the GM product line. If you want to take a glance at it you can find it at:

http://community.webshots.com/user/Fla54Chevy3100

Once again, thanks to all of you who helped make this project a whole lot more fun!!!

Dave

Hey Colin, could you pop those pictures to me too? I like the looks factory look.

Sure thing Dennis. They are on their way.
Dave, I had a webshots running for a while but haven't updated it in months because I have dial up and it takes forever. We'll see what I can do.

Colin

Just wondering if you could send me some of those T5 crossmember pics?? Cuz I'm doing the same. Thanks!