Anybody else have a bad experience with the fitment of reproduction BBC frame stands? I'm experiencing an issue with the driver side stand making the motor not line up properly with the factory Z-bar. The driver side of the motor is abnormally angled toward the front of the car. The shorter pass stand seems to be positioned properly.

1) Are you using the correct transmission crossmember ? 2) Are you using a big block Z-bar ?

1) Are you using the correct transmission crossmember ? 2) Are you using a big block Z-bar ?
transmission isn't installed yet, I'll be using the 3 hole poly mount. The big block Z-bar is approx an inch longer than a small block one there isn't a difference in the geometry only length. I have one of each. It's definately the frame mount, as the block sits cockeyed toward the front of the car on the driver side about an inch. It's impossible to screw up small and big block frame mounts as the motor mounts aren't interchangeable between stands the width varies greatly.

Yes, the engine is supposed to be approx. 1" toward the passenger side. I was asking you about the transmission crossmember. Not the mount itself. The entire transmission also needs to move towards the passenger side 1". You can use 1 bolt in the center of a 3 bolt mount - mounted to the farthest slot in your crossmember. Yes, the z-bar is 1" longer than the small blocks. (Do you notice a pattern here?) The frame stands are the same width as the small blocks. They just change between 67+68 and the '69 mounts. Make sure you have the same year engine mounts to engine stands. Also make sure you have the LH frame mount on the drivers side (taller) and the RH frame mount (shorter) on the passenger side.

Tom, I understand where you were going with the question about the transmission crossmember. Maybe your missing my point here. I'm well aware of the differences between how the motor is supposed to sit in the engine bay. I know the whole assembly sits down and over an inch for a big block. I could see how your question about how the trans was mounted would make a difference in the positioning of the motor, if one could even line up the trans bushing in a non BB when trying to install a BB combo. Thanks for your thoughts, I know it's a bit difficult to understand what I'm experiencing without seeing it for yourself firsthand. The car is a 68, All 68 parts were ordered, and the part numbers match the catalogs for year and application. I used BB frame stands, motor mounts and if the trans was installed it would be with 1 bolt using the center hole of the poly mount on the right hand side hole in the crossmember. The passenger side appears to be in the correct location, the driver side is too far forward. The Bell crank installs diagonally instead of parallel to the firewall or perpindicular to the engine. The short mount is on the passenger side.

Sounds like you have been sent the wrong driver's side stanchion. I would contact the company you bought them from and have them measure the ones in stock so you can compare it to the one you received. If there is a difference then get them to send you a correct one out asap. Can you take some pictures and post for us to see how bad it really is? If you get some measurements of the height of the stanchion I can compare them to my originals on my 68 later tonight. I have used the repros for a while now and never had a fitment issue...........RatPack............

Thanks Ratpack, it would help greatly if you could provide a measurement from the front of the engine bay cross member to the front of the frame stand. I'll go get some shots with the Z-bar installed so you can get a better picture of the placement of the motor. The parts are made by OER, they have the correct GM part numbers stamped into them, it's hard to believe parts which were stamped with BB application numbers could have somehow gotten mixed up with other parts. Obviously I'm going to make a few phone calls, this is just disheveling.
Just so we're on the same page here, when you measure if you could measure square to the frame stand from the center of the motor mount bolt hole to the leading edge of the motor cross member. Thanks in advance Jason.

Jason,
I vaguely remember reading/hearing something about the repro BB frame mounts. Someone else may be able to confirm, ...but I thought there was something that if you used repro frame mounts, ...the motor mounts needed to match them...??
I just put the BB back into my '68, ...now that I think about it, ...when I called Rick's 1st Gen to order the motor mounts, ...I believe they did ask me if I had original or repro frame mounts.
Additionally, ...I found Dave Pozzi's site quite informative... http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_engine.htm

...hope this helps,

Kevin

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/100_10901.JPG (javascript:;)

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/100_1087.JPG (javascript:;)

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/100_1091.JPG (javascript:;)

First pic shows a parallel line from the Z bar bracket to the ball stud using a straight edge, this is the way the Z bar bracket should install when coupled to the ball stud. Note the far forward location of the ball stud in this instance, the driver side of the block angles that much forward independant of the passenger side which sits the measured distance between the ruler and center of the stud closer to the firewall. Second shows the bar when installed on the stud and bracket, difficult to see the angle without being 3D, but I think it's pretty clear. third pic shows the correct mounting of the bar bracket, as this was one of my first thoughts of items I may have overlooked or recieved the incorrect parts etc.
Kevin, that link looks to have some good information, I'll have to pull the block and take some measurements. Thanks. Jason.

Hey Jason. I remember talking to you about this Sunday at the track and I see what you are talking about now. that article does look like it may be in the right direction.

Hey Jason. I remember talking to you about this Sunday at the track and I see what you are talking about now. that article does look like it may be in the right direction.
Is that incredible or what Mike? Well this is the final lesson in my book. I will never buy reproduction parts in any period of advance greater than a couple of days prior to doing the actual project. I'll get around to pulling the block over the next couple of days and evaluate the measurements from that link. Thanks so far gentleman, any other input is appreciated as well. Jason.

That measurement is 4 1/2 " from front of frame mount to front of crossmenber.

There was a problem a few years back. They had the incorrect part number on them.

That measurement is 4 1/2 " from front of frame mount to front of crossmenber.
Thankyou Sir.

There was a problem a few years back. They had the incorrect part number on them.
Are you saying non-camaro parts were stamped with camaro part numbers
or parts were stamped with part numbers which weren't for that particular part numbers application?

They had a label with the correct part number but the mount wasn't correct. The only ones that I know are correct have the part number stamped into them.

They had a label with the correct part number but the mount wasn't correct. The only ones that I know are correct have the part number stamped into them.
OK got it. The units I have are stamped with part numbers.