Well I figured this was going to be a straight forward swap.. Never the case
Backround: Taking a SBC/TH350 combo from a 1962 GMC long bed and putting it in a 1962 Chevy short bed. This motor utilizes the U shaped front motor mount and has long tube headers. It was this way in the long bed.
It was very tight coming out of the long bed but came out with the headers on.
Once cleaned up, painted and put back together (Headers and all) we tried to get her in. The long tubes were hitting on the brake line mounts.
Loosened the headers to see if we could squeeze it in that way. Front primary tubes were now contacting the lower rear control arm mount while the collectors were hitting the cross member bellow the tranny pan.
Took the headers off completely. Laid them in place and tried dropping the motor in that way. Motor set in but the headers woud not go in to place. Both were hitting the LCA rear mount on the frame. It looked as thought the motor needed to go back 1 to 1 1/2 inches.
I fabed up a temp motor mount out of some 1 1/2 square tube putting 2 pieces together and gave it a 1 1/2 inch kick back. The U shape motor mount will allow for about 3/4" movement where the mount screws in to it and the frame allows about 3/4" where it bolts down.
With this temp motor mount in place it looks like we can get the headers on just the cross member would now need to be notched due to the collectors hitting them.
Here are my questions:
Is there a difference in location for a long bed motor vs short bed (IE more forward vs backward?)
I would assume the LCA's are in the same location, just the frame was lengthened and the rear moves back, is this true?
Who sells side mounted motor mounting plates that weld to the frame?
Am I missing something here?
