So I'm missing a crossmember...
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, CO
So I'm missing a crossmember...
So if you look here, you can see the Crossmember behind the steering box was removed by a P.O
Questions
1) how vital is this crossmember for overall frame strength?
2) Best options for repairing/replacing?
-Find a whole one from another F-100 and replace it
-Fab one up using the exisiting "stumps"
-Something else
This truck will not be a show truck, just a driver. Thanks for any help you can provide.
Ron
Junior User
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 96
Likes: 0
From: Columbus, ohio
Ron, from what I've seen so far on the frame I threw away & the one I bought to replace it, that is probably the most important cross member on the whole truck. That part of the frame is taking the front 1/2 of the cab, the back half of the front springs as well as any frame twisting or bending.
Right now I'm going back & forth between using the stock cross member & extra exhaust bends or straight exhaust & a custom cross member. But either way I want some strength back at this location.
My thoughts are all based on the stock front leaf spring suspension & using a good sized V8 engine. If you were going I.F.S. 7 boxing the frame my advice might be different.
Right now I'm going back & forth between using the stock cross member & extra exhaust bends or straight exhaust & a custom cross member. But either way I want some strength back at this location.
My thoughts are all based on the stock front leaf spring suspension & using a good sized V8 engine. If you were going I.F.S. 7 boxing the frame my advice might be different.
Cargo Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 2,759
Likes: 71
From: Elk River, MN
The stock cross member that attached to the transmission bell housing ears will not accommodate a C-6 without some serious trimming. Most conversions remove that crossmember unless you use a small case transmission like a C4. Most conversions use a strong crossmember at the rear of the transmission. It also helps to have some structure under the engine mounts instead of flanges sticking out from the frame rails. The stock motor was held by one front mount below the crank and two side mounts off the transmission/rear of engine. You can look in my gallery at the C6 cross member. They are easy to fabricate or can be purhased for around $40.
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 520
Likes: 0
From: Wellington, CO
Well,
I do have the C-6 cross member that I bought from Mid-Fifty. It is definitely a stout unit. The mounts in the truck now look pretty homemade. Maybe I'd be better off cutting those off and going with an aftermarket bolt-in engine mount for even more added strength.
Comments?
Ron
I do have the C-6 cross member that I bought from Mid-Fifty. It is definitely a stout unit. The mounts in the truck now look pretty homemade. Maybe I'd be better off cutting those off and going with an aftermarket bolt-in engine mount for even more added strength.
Comments?
Ron
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Ron, do get the one piece engine mount for your 390 (fe engine). That would stiffen up the frame quite a bit. Got mine from jc whitney, but other places do have them. Good luck.
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Lead Driver
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 8,813
Likes: 13
From: Littleton, New Hampshire
Originally posted by ranger pat
The stock cross member that attached to the transmission bell housing ears will not accommodate a C-6 without some serious trimming. Most conversions remove that crossmember unless you use a small case transmission like a C4. Most conversions use a strong crossmember at the rear of the transmission.
The stock cross member that attached to the transmission bell housing ears will not accommodate a C-6 without some serious trimming. Most conversions remove that crossmember unless you use a small case transmission like a C4. Most conversions use a strong crossmember at the rear of the transmission.
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Laughing Gas
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 808
Likes: 2
From: east central Illinois
Wow! I think our previous owners are related. My parts truck looks eerily similar:
They had a 351C in it with some sort of auto tranny. I want to put a 223 in it but I need the stock tranny crossmember. Any engine swappers out there with a crossmember cluttering up the workshop?
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
They had a 351C in it with some sort of auto tranny. I want to put a 223 in it but I need the stock tranny crossmember. Any engine swappers out there with a crossmember cluttering up the workshop?
Kevin Kessler
1953 Ford F-100
Senior User
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 133
Likes: 0
From: Central PA
I may have one, i haven't decided whether or not mine will stay. I got my engine swap to fit with it but it left me almost no room and if i need to drop the tranny its gotta come out of the engine compartment. I just got my mockup motor in right now. The real motor will be going in in the next couple weeks. Remind me about it in about 2 weeks Kevin and if you want it and i take it off it is your for shipping costs
Thread Starter
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Elder User
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 520
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From: Wellington, CO
Ok, here's the plan
My plan for now is:
Cut off current 390 mounts and install 1 piece FE engine mount setup available from Mid-Fifty, etc.
Install 390 & C-6 using Mid-Fifty's C-6 Tranny Mount.
I would think these 2 pieces once installed would keep the frame sturdy enough, and no additional reinforcment of the frame is planned at this time.
Comments?
Ron
PS Thanks for the info given so far, all great stuff
Cut off current 390 mounts and install 1 piece FE engine mount setup available from Mid-Fifty, etc.
Install 390 & C-6 using Mid-Fifty's C-6 Tranny Mount.
I would think these 2 pieces once installed would keep the frame sturdy enough, and no additional reinforcment of the frame is planned at this time.
Comments?
Ron
PS Thanks for the info given so far, all great stuff
Junior User
Joined: Dec 2003
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Norway
aaaahhh. you should not have written this post!
when i saw it i had to go out in the garage to see how things was arranged in my engine-room, (since it was originally a 6-sylinder) and, yes , you guessed it . It is burnt off with a torch! there will be no sleep tonight !!!
when i saw it i had to go out in the garage to see how things was arranged in my engine-room, (since it was originally a 6-sylinder) and, yes , you guessed it . It is burnt off with a torch! there will be no sleep tonight !!!
Post Fiend
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 24,418
Likes: 3
From: San Francisco, Ca.
Goobzilla, That's the way I went; a one piece front motor mount set up for an FE engine and a one piece rear trans mount set up which I have the option of either a C-6 or a T-18. That'll make your frame stronger. Good luck.
Senior User
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 244
Likes: 0
From: Blenheim, Ontario, Canada
I remember that Joe (blue Oval Rage) showed us pictures of a real stout looking trans crossmember he made up, in a thread a while back. Using something like that should certainly get rid of any concerns about frame strength. i do believe that the crossmember needs to tie all the way across the height of the frame rail to prevent the twisting that the cab mounts will put into the frame.
Just my thoughts
John
Just my thoughts
John
Posting Guru
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,022
Likes: 3
From: Pensacola Florida
And that sums up my reasoning for staying with a Y-Block I get to keep my front and rear crossmembers. There are plenty of Hi Po parts available for the Y now so there is no excuse for not hopping one up. Stock mounting autos are available that will handle anything you can dish out to it. Granted parts are a liitle more expensive than belly buttons but you get what you pay for.