The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop motor mount opinions

I need you guys opinion about motor mounts for my 59 3800 truck, i can't find a good quality v-8 after market motor mount to mount my 283 and turbo 350 tranny into my stock frame, Some of my rat rod buddys keep telling me that all i need is to use the stock front mount motor mounts and a after market tranny mount, Others buddys tell me that it would be too much stress on the tranny to engine bolts because the mounts are too far apart. I thought this too but now i'm not so sure if that isn't to bad of an idea, i need help with this, the right opinion could save me money or cost me a bunch

Does the engine you're using have provisions for the side mounts? That might be one option. Another might be to use the factory mount up front, then use a motor plate between the engine and trans to use the original rear motor mounts. You'll probably have to fabricate it if you go that route.

you need 3 point mounting. there are after market crossmembers that you can put in for eng side mounts.
I bought back in 63 a setup that would put a sbc in my old 32 chev sedan
basically the same frame as your truck
ron

the 283 that im using is the stock motor that came with the truck, it has the mount in the block to use side mounted motor mounts just like 70-80's 350 chevy motors the truck came with a 4-speed bulldog and the bellhousing cross member that mounted it to the frame, I have removed that crossmember so that i could mount the th350 and have room for things like power brake master/booster. I don't know how much hp a 283 with edlebrock intake and 4barrel carb will make but i know im not going to drag race it! I also know that 1-ton trucks should have 4speed trannys, but auto's just make driving then so much easier

do NOT try to run an automatic with the front mounts and a trans mount, you WILL develop numerous problems and chew up the front mount rubbers quite regularly - you really need to use the aftermarket cross member for the side mounts or fab up something similar yourself .... also I'd be inclined to use a TH400 on a 1 ton if you plan on any hauling

Bill

wanted to use a th400, but i got a good used jasper th350 out of my old daily driver, it works fine and it's paid for, the only thing i'm gona haul is my old harley and honda dirt bikes, and maybe pull a 1000lb pop up camper

100% agreed. There's plenty of tubular style crossmembers that available that should work, and Speedway has a sidemount conversion for the engine.

I was not talking about the bell housing crossmember which should be removed for your application, but about the eng side mounting position. you must have a 3 point mounting system to counteract the force of torque from your eng, which a frt and back mounting only will not do it.
even under regular everyday useage
ron

hey longbox55 the frame mounted motor mounts that speedway motors sell look like the way to go, but the spec's on the part says that it will go from 26inch down to 18inch my frame rails are 34 inches, are all 55-59 frames the same width??? are the 1-ton and up frames different?

All '55-'59 frames have the same width, 34".