[retrota79]

hey guys i got a 79 trans am and im putting in a chevy 396, i changed the mounts on the frame to chevy my problem is that, one side of the motor will sit perfect in the mount and the other will sit ontop of the mount(motor is sitting unlevel and one side is not sitting in mount but ontop) it is as if the mounts go out to wide for it to sit in. just wondering if anybody has done this one before or can help please!!

[roknroy]

can you take pictures? i've seen all kinds of ways engines have been put in, using big block and small block mounts. you'll solve your problem when the knowledgeable people here see your set-up.

[cobalt327]

Could be a matter of the engine needing to be lowered exactly straight down into the mounts.

I usually assemble the mounts together w/the through bolt loosely attaching them together.

Then I lower the engine and mounts down onto the X-member, then bolt the thing up- except I rarely bolt them any more. I weld the b***ards and am done.

Just too darned much work- IMO- to get those bolts/nuts tight when having to reach up into the X-member.

But even if you DO use the nuts and bolts, at least using the way I said above will tell you if the set-up fits the holes in the X-member.

If not you know you have the wrong parts OR the X-member isn't punched for the BBC engine.

[ericnova72]

If the mounts you are using are the type with the metal "cup" on the engine and the encapsulated rubber mount on the frame, it could just be a case of having the wrong "cup". There are two versions of this mount-- car or truck, and if you try to use the truck version on a car it gives the problem you have. If you lay them flat on a bench, they are different heights to the mount cross hole in the cup.

[retrota79]

take a look at the photos does it need the truck mounts that it would sit higher there for sit in both, beleive it or not it just doesnt go in!!! helppppp

[carsavvycook]

From your photo's, it is hard to tell if it is a 'small' block, or 'big' block mount you are using. I don't remember the actual part number for the mounts I used in a 1979 conversion. IIRC 1979 4WD BBC Chevy Truck was the application I used.

What is the "line" in the crossmember in your second picture? It looks like a 'crack' to me.

[cobalt327]

Flip it around, try diff. holes

[carsavvycook]

The mounts are not flipable. They have 2 'outer' mounting holes on top, and a single 'center' mounting hole on the bottom.

[ericnova72]

To me, it looks exactly like the problem of trying to use truck "cups" to do a car installation. The car "cup" will have it's hole about 5/16" or so closer to the engine block. 5/16" X 2 "cups" just about equals your problem, doesn't it?

[retrota79]

thanks for the replys, i am going to try to find the different mounts, ill keep ya posted on how it works, thanks again for everything

[F-BIRD'88]

In that chassis, the BBC motor does not sit exactly center in the body. If you measure from the fender edges to the carb center stud, the engine should be 1" offset to the passenger side. Make sure the tailstock of the trans is parrallel in the body. Then install the motor mount frame tabs. use 1970 era Chevelle motor mounts and frame tabs. 1970 era Chevelle headers.

Mount the chevelle mount tabs and engine mounts on the motor.
Install and align the motor and trans unit+ engine mounts on the frame
Level the engine left and right. Position the engine in the body with the 1" offset towards the passenger side and align the transmission square in the chassis and 90° to the rear axle C/L with the 1" offset also. The motor mount holes drilled in the frame, probabily won't align. When you have it positioned correctly and square and level, sitting on the frame and trans crossmemeber, weld the frame tabs onto the frame. With the headers mounted on the engine, and the driveshaft installed the for/aft orientation of the engine/trans assembly in the chassis will be clear. You can even mount the engine fan/rad/ shroud to check aliginment. I can't remember what GM part I used for a radiator/fan shroud.

This 1970 Firebird had a BB chev 454+th350 swap using 1970 Chevelle mounts and headers. Came with a factory chev HD 12 bolt rearend.

[retrota79]

so there is no possible way with any other mounts that this thing will not bolt in i have to weld? not really that big of deal but just wondering

[retrota79]

and for headers, should i not use the ones that are made for a late 70's camaro with a bbc?