59 Fleetside SBC & T400 Swap

[andsonsvd]

Hi,

I am FINALLY about to get my SBC and Trans Swap done on my 58 Fleetside.

Life got in the way of the truck but its time to get it on the road!

I have read and read and read some more about this because I like to be prepared.

I want to ask again about the original Cross member. There is a lot of talk about removing it or keeping it. My Fleetside has totally standard from suspension and that is the way it will stay for now.

I will be boxing the frame for the install.

Please can anyone give me there advice again. Pictures are appreciated.

Thanks from down under

Shane

[Coupeguy2001]

Why box the frame? If you are going to put in independent front suspension later, you will just have to remove the boxing to make it all fit right, then add the correct boxing plates.

The factory installed a V8 without boxing the frame.
I ran the 350 in my 57 for years and years. no boxing necessary.
Go to L&M truck parts and buy engine mounts. You can use the factory style, and bolt them in, or you can buy side mounts, and make it look like 63-66 style.
In any case, what you want to do is get an original V8 bellhousing, and bolt it on the engine. then install the engine in the frame, with the bell housing bolted on the rear engine crossmember. then use a protractor, and angle the engine back to the rear end at 3 degrees. Then bolt the mounts to the engine, and then drill and bolt the mounts to the frame.
If you do it this way, everything factory will bolt up.
If you have the 58 radiator, in 58, to make the V8 install easier for the assembly line, they just added a radiator shroud instead of moving the radiator like 55-57.
Now you just need the shroud, and you are basically done.
ou can't remove the crossmember because it is the reinforcement point for the rear spring perches. You will have to either raise the engine up, or go with stick.
If you remove the crossmember, the frame will have to be reinforced with another crossmember that dips down for the trans.
If you go with independent suspension, you can remove the crossmember and just use a trans mount crossmember.

[Highsider]

Coupe- You mean www.lmctruck.com/chevrolet/ ?
They sure have treated me right, every time.