Hi. The problem I'm having is that I put a big block in a small block car. I changed the tranny crossmember to one for a 400 (Was a 350). I also changed the frame mounts to big block mounts. The engine sits on the frame and the pulley also sits on the front rail. I'm using a long water pump and pulleys. I'm putting some pics up to show what I'm up against. What am I doing wrong?
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/texasgilbert/HPIM3721.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/texasgilbert/HPIM3720.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/texasgilbert/HPIM3719.jpg
http://i122.photobucket.com/albums/o259/texasgilbert/HPIM3718.jpg

Be careful not to bend your pulley. What is preventing the holes from lining up on the motor mounts? It looks like things would clear if the passenger side were lifted up a little and the whole thing shifted right to line up the holes. Try getting one hole lined up and put that bolt in. Then you can maybe move your chain around and play with the other side. I know that sounds easier than it actually is. Engine installs are never easy, but I know a Texan can do it!

To keep perspective, sometimes I like to ask myself how many cars GM has built since I started my engine swap.

I agree with Kevin, your engine needs to come up on the pass side. Support the engine with the hoist and remove the cross member then just slowly lift the engine until you can get the bolts in the mounts.

Yes agree with above.... You will need a couple of buddy's and move that cross member out of the way until you get the bolts in the motor mounts first. Possibly using a floor jack under the trans with a nice cushion of course and raise it up as you get one hole lined up (driver side first if possible) and install the bolt the other side you may need to use a philip's screw driver to help you line up the hole and as your buddy's are lowering or raising the motor to help line the hole up.
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/Installmotor005.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/Installmotor009.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/Installmotor008.jpg
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/2001.jpg

Thanks. It looks like that in the pics. I tried to move it to the passenger side and line up the bolts but the engine won't go down far enough because the pan is sitting on the frame. The oil pan has about 4 inches from top to bottom in the front so I think the pan is OK and not the wrong one. Is there a set of motor mounts that will bring up the engine?? Everything seems to be lining up great except that the engine is sitting on the frame.

Look like the wrong motor mounts to me.....

Thanks. I thought the motor mounts were wrong also. I ordered some Moroso solid mounts # 62515 and hope that will take care of the problem.

Look like the wrong motor mounts to me.....
Agree.
Ya know, Classic sells a complete BBC interlocking kit for less than a hundred bucks. Looks just like the ones on my car.:thumbsup: (original)
And I'm sure you replaced those SBC springs with stiffer ones. Right? Iron heads are a load.

Skeeter , What with all the blankets on the front clip ? :confused: :D
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/Installmotor005.jpg

You may have to turn that rear A-arm bolt around or shorten it up. Dont want to ding up those nice headers!

Thanks. I thought the motor mounts were wrong also. I ordered some Moroso solid mounts # 62515 and hope that will take care of the problem. Don't forget to set the headers in befor you run the bolts threw the mounts...

Skeeter , What with all the blankets on the front clip ? :confused: :D
http://i145.photobucket.com/albums/r216/skeeter55/Installmotor005.jpg Alan i was protecting my buddy's cherry picker from getting scratched or nicked up :D.

Alan i was protecting my buddy's cherry picker from getting scratched or nicked up :D.
You are too much Skeeter:D:beers:

Me thinks you have the wrong frame stands. Yours are way shorter than mine... pic#1 is a small block stand 1 1/2" from frame to bottom of arch (bolt goes above it} pic#2 is my drivers side & measures 2" . pic#3 is pass side and is 1 3/4". I have a full inch between my pan and the crossmember. Kits aren't always correct... the motor mount itself has no effect on height. For the record my mounts are urethane hi-po's but I don't remember from where. You can see yours are way shorter, hence the problem...

http://www.prostreetcamaro.com/mmounts1.jpg

http://www.prostreetcamaro.com/mmounts2.jpg

http://www.prostreetcamaro.com/mmounts3.jpg

Thanks. It looks like that in the pics. I tried to move it to the passenger side and line up the bolts but the engine won't go down far enough because the pan is sitting on the frame. The oil pan has about 4 inches from top to bottom in the front so I think the pan is OK and not the wrong one. Is there a set of motor mounts that will bring up the engine?? Everything seems to be lining up great except that the engine is sitting on the frame.

So the engine is high on the left (standing in front looking down on the engine), low on the right, the pan is on the frame rail and the cross member is is providing a fixed connection. It still sounds like the engine is cocked toward the driver side and needs to be lifted up, leveled and set back down. You still need to remove the cross member so the engine and trans assembly can move freely on the hoist until you have the mount bolts in.

See if this will help you with the frame mounts... http://www.camaros.org/engine.shtml#EngineMounting

I think you have the wrong frame mounts. I have found there is some confusion out there as to the right mounts.

Here are pics and measurements of the BB frame mounts on a '68 that I switched from small-block to big-block.
http://csgbenefits.org/enginecomp.jpg

Driver side mount (from front)
http://csgbenefits.org/driverside.jpg

Passenger side mount (from front)
http://csgbenefits.org/passengerside.jpg

http://csgbenefits.org/driverframemount.jpg

http://csgbenefits.org/passsidemount.jpg

http://csgbenefits.org/mountwidth.jpg

Hope this helps.

Good luck

Guys, I hate to jump in the middle of this, but... The 67,68 Big Block frame mounts are different than the 1969. The small block frame mounts are different than the Big Block mounts. You need the following... Do you have these ?

1) 1969 big bock frame mounts. This will offset the engine, 1" towards the Passenger side.
2) 1969 "Tall and Narrow engine mounts (They are the same as a 350 or a 302)
3) Big Block transmission crossmember. This moves the transmission to the passenger side 1/2" and 3/4" forward.

David Pozzi has mount information on his web page.

http://www.pozziracing.com/camaro_engine.htm

And here is a look at original, never been unbolted, 69 BBC frame mounts. Disregard the crud. I pulled the engine to clean stuff.
http://epitomesrebuild.com/images/210.JPG

Thanks guys. The frame mounts are shorter than the ones I took off. They say the 69 is all by itself as far as frame mounts go. The trans crossmember, headers etc. all fall into place and line up great with these mounts. I just don't have enough height. I tilited the motor over to the pass. side but it will not bolt up because it is sitting on the frame. I may go to 68 frame stands if I can't get the solid mounts to work. They seem to mbe taller than the ones I just put in.

The '69 has shorter frame mounts, because it has taller engine mounts. It is very common to get 67-68 engine mounts, when you want the 69's. Many places like Auto Zone don't have the correct numbers in their books. They sometimes put the wrong part in the box, also ! Measure the thickness of your engine mounts... they are probably the wrong ones.

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii152/tjs69_photos/engine%20and%20frame%20mounts/poly2.jpg Tall and Narrow 1969
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii152/tjs69_photos/engine%20and%20frame%20mounts/69BBCFRMT.jpg
1. Driver's side is 2.5 inches from base to the top of the bracket. It measures 1.75 inches from base to center of the bracket bolt hole.
2. The passenger side bracket measures 2.0 inches from the base to the top of the bracket. It measures 1&3/8 inches from the base to the center of the bracket bolt hole.
3. Width is approximately 2 5/16"

http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii152/tjs69_photos/engine%20and%20frame%20mounts/poly1.jpg Short and wide 67 -68
http://i263.photobucket.com/albums/ii152/tjs69_photos/engine%20and%20frame%20mounts/6768BBCFRMT.jpg

1. Driver's side is 2 15/16 inches from base to the top of the bracket.
2. The passenger side bracket measures 2 1/2 inches from the base to the top of the bracket.
3. Width is approximately 2 9/16"

What does it matter, unless it's a concourse restoration? Use tall frame stands with short mounts, or vice versa. Either way, short frame stands will not work with short engine mounts. And since most engine mounts being sold are the short version, I say the OP should get the tall frame stands and his life will be much easier............

68 BB frame stands will take care of the OP's problem.

-

Reasons to change engine mounts and not the frame mounts:

1) engine mounts are usually cheaper.

2) it is easier to change engine mounts, than frame mounts.

3) Keep your car as close to a '69 as you can.

4) Many parts stores stock engine mounts.

The frame mounts for small block were taller than the big block mounts I put in. The problem with the small block mounts is that the tranny crossmember would not line up and the headers were hitting the gearbox, pitman and idler arms. The shorter big block mounts seem to put the engine right where I need it. The gearbox, idler and pitman arms clear and the tranny lines up great now. I just need some height now. I'll try some taller engine monuts and get back to you guys with the results.

Reasons to change engine mounts and not the frame mounts:

1) engine mounts are usually cheaper.

2) it is easier to change engine mounts, than frame mounts.

3) Keep your car as close to a '69 as you can.

4) Many parts stores stock engine mounts.


I agree with all this, so long as he can purchase the correct engine mounts. The VAST majority of engine mounts sold are the 68-style, at least, that's been my experience over the years.................

-

Dave, If we knew what frame mounts he presently has, maybe he won't need to change them. He claims to have changed to Big Block frame mounts. In the photo's it appears to be '69 frame mounts with '67-68 engine mounts. Change the engine mounts, and he is golden.

Gilbert, What transmission crossmember do you have ? A 400 engine is still a small block. A 396, 402, 427, or a 454 are Big blocks. Did you mean TH-350 to a TH-400 ? If the mount is moved to the passenger side you are ok.

With big block mounts, the engine will "roll" to the passenger side approximately 1", at the carburetor stud. The Big Block transmission crossmember will move the transmission tail shaft mount 1/2" to the passenger side and 3/4" forward.

The shorter frame mount should be on the passenger side. The taller frame mount is on the driver's side. ( I think you have this)

If your checking for engine mounts at local parts stores try running a 69 nova for the different mounts. At the Autozone here, the camaro mounts are short for 67-69, the nova are tall mounts.

FYI, most chain parts stores all sell the 307/327 "short" motor mounts as 350 mounts as well which is wrong. Even the Anchor (largest supplier) website catalog is wrong. I had to ask for 396 mounts to get the right ones and I also emailed Anchor about the issue as their application guide is what screws up most parts stores.

I recently changed out the oil pan on my 355 and my motor looked exactly and I mean EXACTLY like yours does (other than being a SBC) when I tried to set it down. The old stock style pan and '78 motor were installed by a previous moron so it was hitting the crossmember but was actually mounted.

If there is ANY gap between the SIDES of your motor mounts and the frame stands, you have the wrong motor mounts. The correct stock interlocking type motor mount for a '69 big block and 350/302 is the Anchor 2283.

This would make a good sticky, no?

alan

The frame mounts for small block were taller than the big block mounts I put in. The problem with the small block mounts is that the tranny crossmember would not line up and the headers were hitting the gearbox, pitman and idler arms. The shorter big block mounts seem to put the engine right where I need it. The gearbox, idler and pitman arms clear and the tranny lines up great now. I just need some height now. I'll try some taller engine mounts and get back to you guys with the results. Why cant you use what you already have but run a spacer where the motor mounts bolt up to the block and then use longer bolts... How much height do you need....