I have a 51 F1 with a 350 sb and th 400 trans. I have the front engine mounted on original flat head mounting pads with a hurst front engine mount. The transmission is rear mounted on the original G.M. transmission mount. My question is do I need to use mounts in the center at the bell housing? Tony
I'd rather put a crossmember under the middle of the motor, and use side mounts. The front/rear mount setup puts a lot of load on the transmission case, that it wasn't designed to carry.
This would be a much better change if you were to make any at all. To make some kind of center mount would mean some style of mid plate. That's no easy move in your case. The Wizzard
If anything, eliminate the Hurst mount and change to side-mounted engine mounts. This would take some of the load off the front of the transmission housing. Ford truck frames are designed to flex, to twist - and they do, a lot! If you add bellhousing motor mounts in addition to what you've already got it's my opinion that you'd put the motor/transmission under great stress when the frame twisted...and maybe start breaking things. Duplicate the OEM Chevy mounting design - one mount on each side of the engine and one in the center rear at the transmission - and this should not be a problem. Just my $.02
Agree with recommendation to use the side mounts on the block. You can use the universal crossmember and be done with minimum effort. As alternative, you do not need a full midplate. You can get some pieces (two total, mirror image one per side) that bolt onto the bellhousing bolts and provide a mid-mount. They go on the outside of the bellhousing, between the bolt head the and the bellhousing. You still need to add a crossmember or something for the mid-mounts to bolt onto that is supported by the frame.
Thanks guys I am just mocking this thing up so any changes can be easily done. I will have to check to see which one will be easier. Tony
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