Motor mount location

Hello guys,
Can someone give me the dimensions they used to locate the motor mounts for a
small block in a 47'-54' frame? I've done MANY engine swaps in street rods and I'm very familiar with firewall & pan clearance, and pinion angle. What I hoping for is that someone can give me reference points (ie. front of frame rail back 18"....), so that I can get the drive line in my truck without having to set the cab back on and mock up the radiator. I know I'm not the first guy to put a 350/350 in these trucks!
I just need some measurements to know where the center line of the side type motor mount should be.
P.S. I'm will be using a GM HEI dist. and "pusher"fans out front.
Thanks!!  

No one has any idea? Pretty please?  

I have done exactly what you have. What I found:
In order to get everything to clear appropriately, ie: steering, distributor, fan (I am using a mechanical) I had to recess the firewall a little (dont remember the exact measurment). I am also using a T350 trans and had to cut the floor and install a tunnel in the front portion of the floor to firwall for clearance. I understand its a pain in the you know what to test fit everything, but there is no substitute for doing so. There are so many factors applying to your specific application that I think you will probably save much more time by mocking everything up first.
Just my opinion  

jwarner1963

Thanks for the reply, and I agree that "test fitting" is a good idea, I just figured since I'm
going with such a standard, run-of-the-mill install, somebody would have a build underway and could give me "ballpark" measurements.
I was at the Goodguys event here in Joliet IL this past September and saw at least 6 trucks with 350/350 drive trains, and only one or two with a recessed firewall. I believe it is necessary in order to run a mechanical fan, but if I go electric out front I think I can retain the stock firewall.
Again, thanks for your comments!
-Mike  

Well I just went through about 30 pages of forums looking for the same thing you are looking for.  I am getting ready to install a 350 w/400turbo and I am looking for at least a starting point to measure from can you tell me what you ended up with?  Unlike you I have never done anything like this what type of clearance do I need for the firewall I read on guy said he like to have enough room to fit your hand between the distributor and firewall.  Is that enough?  What is pinion angle?  And did you remove the original trans mount crossmember I am considering purchasing a crossmember or  possibly making my own.  Thanks!  

Welcome Chad. If you need help on pinion angles and other stuff I would recommend starting a new thread. If you need help let me know.  

Thanks for the welcome message.  Your site has so much information and I know what I am looking for is in here somewhere its just finding it thats the tricky part.  I understand the pinion angle.  What I am looking for is the just the starting point for putting a 350 with a Turbo 400 in my 1949 Chevy Truck.  I have a motor mount I bought from Classic Parts but haven't purchased a trans mount yet. I was hoping someone would share their beginning measurements for the motor mount.  But I will continue to search and I may even start a new thread on the subject I just know it ticks some off to see the say threads posted over and over.  

Thanks for the compliment. I think the guys who are avid users are great and know what there doing.  

I could give you the measurment of my engine mount but it is a ls 5.3 but it is diff than the older small block mounts but i run an elec fan and didn't change the fire wall but had to cut in a hump for the 4L60E trans.  

Autotec,
Do you know if the diameter of the 4L60 is bigger than the TH400?  

I never measured but im sure the top part up in the hump is real close to the same on all the trans.The4L60 was used to replace the TH350 and the 4L80 was used to replace the Th400.the only real differance is in the bottom of the trans it would be bigger than the 350 about the same as a400.  

I think the answer is kind of tricky because I've seen quite a few 350's in the first series trucks and while I don't speak for all of them I know that the three that I've had here all had the block mounted in different places.  I know this because I am trying to estimate where to put a 400/400 on my S-10 framed 51 and the three I have have the block in different spots.  It seems the best place was with the front of the block (without the water pump) about 4 inches ahead of the center line for the front axle.  The 53 rat was behind this point and they had to hammer in the firewall.  The others were stock firewalled.

But I have just decided to put her together and see, then weld in place.  
07 GMC crew diesel
53 3100 original
53 3100 rat
51 3100 streetrod
49 F1 panel

Okay gotter done I put a 350 SBC w/Turbo400 Tranny in a 1st series 1949 Chevy 1/2ton truck.  

1st off everything fits and when I say fits I mean the motor mounted using a V8 motor mounted I purchased from an online website.  It was the tube sytle I had to cut it down a little.

You have to find out if your frame is square then find a couple of good spots to take measurements from during the install.

After getting the crossmember cut to the right length I used some of the pipe I cut off to raise the crossmember 3/4" on both sides I then placed the motor and trans in and place the trans crossmember that I also purchased online in.  

Basically if you have enough clearance to put the distributor in at the firewall your motor should drop into place.

I'm sure there will be some things i run into over the next couple of weeks I will keep my headaches posted hopefully some one will have helpful info.


Oh bye the way I've never built anything before this truck I'm a beginner if I can get....  

I mocked my '70, 350 sbc,powerglide trans so the fan would clear the radiator in front and the distributor cap could be taken off. I purchased a cross bar with mounts welded on and came with the new chev. motor mounts.I had to cut some of the fire wall out to accommodate the distributor. I should also mention I have a camaro tilt steering wheel, column and power steering box. My truck is a '49 ,3100 Chevy truck.I'll tilt the motor back 3 degrees and raise the rear up 3 degrees....I'll post more pictures.......  


 

some more information on the motor mounts.......and a few pictures of the camaro steering set up....I'll post more pictures on the steering.......