engine swap mounts

I am installing a chev v6 into my cj2a. Anyway i have a set of transdapt mounts that are horrible you just cannot make them work and make tehm look good to. (they are for a cj swap) . Has anyone tried a front engine plate mount or a crossmember style mount. If so what would some of the problems of either of these pose. I think the engine plate would probably be decent And the one from summitt racing i think you can shave down to make more appealing as well but asm not sure.

 

My flattie has a front motor mount plate. It was made by Hurst YEARS ago. It can probably be remade. I will get some pics tonite. Mine has a 350 in it.

 

I fabed my own frame mounts which was pretty easy to do. You could probably build the frame side brackets and just use the stock gm mounts. The problem with using engine plates is that it will really limit your options for mounting accessories such as power steering pumps or perhaps a York OBA setup. They also get in the way of the gen I fuel pumps/plumbing and I have seen at least 2 where the bolts worked loose (read: new radiator).

 

Like was said the best option would be to build your own or if that's not an option you might look into Novak's or Advance Adapter's mounts. They tend to be nicer than Transdapts stuff.

 

hey auto guy can you throw some pics up??/ thatwould awesome. how do you find the plate for running your steering an stuff/???

 

Remember that all the sbc that used front mounts also had bellhousing mounts that took the stress out of the trans case.

 

I don't have any experience with Chevys, but I'd think if you mount the engine up by the timing cover, there will be more stress on the bell. Most V8s center the mounts (more or less) under the block, so that most of the downward force goes down into the frame towers. This force could be significant, given the rat-patrol action that Jeeps sometimes see.

 

Should have been more specific, you don't want to use a aluminum bell if you use a front mount plate on a sbc or you can easily break the bell. Chev used a cast bell with side mounts when the mounts were in the front-55-58?

 

Yup, I agree. Chevrolet trucks used them into the 60's and possibly early 70's.

 

well i am running a 4.3l v6, and th350 trans, the reason i am thinking of a front mount is it would create more room for running in frame headers, and steering, plus others would it not. I know there is a mid mount as well but beleive this would cost many problems (mid mount).

 

Yes, and don't do it. As said above, it's a pain to mount anything extra. My problem is, the 283 used has no head accessory holes, which makes the holes used for mounting even more important.



The space in between the alt and mount isn't big enough for a saggy pump and reservoir so a remote reservoir will have to be used with this setup, not to mention a completely custom pump mount off the engine mount.

I'm going to eventually put side mounts on, the non-PS with 36s is not fun offroad.

 

was that a front motor mounting plate you cut down or are those front motor mounts???

 

This is a one piece motor mount that attaches to 4 existing bolts (2 each side) next to the harmonic balancer. The mount has pancake bushing on each end with a bolt that runs thru the motor mount, bushing, and a "L" bracket off the frame. I'll see about better pictures.



This mount is much nicer than an "over the top" type. I had one of them in another Jeep and there was even less mounting room. The mount bolted in the same place but arched over the water pump causing more mounting problems. Sorry no pictures of this mount.

 

Here are the three style of front mounts i am looking at. From my understanding the mount under the water pump and everything else which is supposed to make them very strong. Here are some pics.
http://www.competitionengineering.com/catalog/CategoryDisplay.asp?CatCode=11073
sorry just put the link up could not figure out how to load image off my computer.

 

The linked parts are similar to what I have. The problem is they take up more room than what is shown above. The mount linked to are for HIGH hp engines (dragsters, monster trucks, pullers) that require getting all the power avaliable to the ground.

The side mounts might seem a little harder to deal with (steering and exhaust) but after dealing with two different front mounting systems, I believe side mounts are the best way to go, be it home made or bought.

 

I went with the Novak mounts and they worked out great. My steering cleared ok and I am also running the TH350 so so need for clutch linkage. I have yet to add headers but the stock manifolds have enought clearance so i sould be fine.