NickP
04-02-2013, 10:15 AM
A while back, it was time to throw the LS into Geoff's 55Vert, yup, he broke down after months of brainwashing, bamboo shoots under thenails and a little waterboarding.
Geoff decided to use a Street and Performance Motor Mountkit for this install; what follows is the basic install following the suppliedsheet. The instruction sheet left alittle to be desired.
Starting with Geoff's frame (again this is a 55 a vert), Ilooked over the parts in the kit. At first blush, solid, well made andseemingly complete.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397719897.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720000.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720002.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720004.jpg
The instruction sheet indicates that the spacing should be19" upon completion of the install.
I have several pieces of 1/4"x2" Aluminum bar stock, soI laid out the hole pattern and built a jig. It uses 5/8 bolts to hold the twomain parts and maintain the 19”. Certainly, one could use just about anymaterial stiff enough to maintain the dimension.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720006.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720008.jpg
The hole in the motor mount where the rubber doughnut setsis 1 1/4" in diameter. Interestingly, I had just purchased a bag of boltsthat button up a C4 suspension and located within that bag were two washerswith a 5/8" ID and 1 1/4" OD. Perfect fit.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720009.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720011.jpg
I assembled the aluminum bar and the mounts with mywashers and bolts, set it in place as it should be and found very little if anydistortion or ill fit. Once located in the center of the chassis, clamped inplace and began to drill the holes, eight in total - 4 ea. @ 25/64"Clearance for 3/8" and 4 @ 21/64" for the 5/16" bolts. I willadd here that the kit does come with all fasteners/washers but I opted forGrade 8 rather than the Grade 5 supplied.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720014.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720015.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720017.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720040.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720042.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720050.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720058.jpg
With the mounts all buttoned up, it was time to get theblock ready. Years ago, I purchased ajunk block for this purpose and it has been an easy solution. I found a pair ofLS1 heads and an old intake manifold, front cover and other items along the wayto be able to determine any issues in fitment. The main plates supplied in thekit are made from 1/2" aluminum, nicely machines with very clearindication of the side they go on. Followed by the steel mount and after bothsides were done, I added the 4L60. Got out the forklift and added an extensionto reach into the chassis. Lowered it in and it fits like a glove, well,almost. The tail housing of the trans does rub on the X-Member but that is aneasy fix. Geoff had obtained an odd but useful looking trans crossmember forit, but it is for some other application. It will either get modified orreplaced.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720060.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720061.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720065.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720069.jpg
All in all, about 8 hours including making the jig. Next,transmission crossmember.
Geoff decided to use a Street and Performance Motor Mountkit for this install; what follows is the basic install following the suppliedsheet. The instruction sheet left alittle to be desired.
Starting with Geoff's frame (again this is a 55 a vert), Ilooked over the parts in the kit. At first blush, solid, well made andseemingly complete.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397719897.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720000.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720002.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720004.jpg
The instruction sheet indicates that the spacing should be19" upon completion of the install.
I have several pieces of 1/4"x2" Aluminum bar stock, soI laid out the hole pattern and built a jig. It uses 5/8 bolts to hold the twomain parts and maintain the 19”. Certainly, one could use just about anymaterial stiff enough to maintain the dimension.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720006.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720008.jpg
The hole in the motor mount where the rubber doughnut setsis 1 1/4" in diameter. Interestingly, I had just purchased a bag of boltsthat button up a C4 suspension and located within that bag were two washerswith a 5/8" ID and 1 1/4" OD. Perfect fit.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720009.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720011.jpg
I assembled the aluminum bar and the mounts with mywashers and bolts, set it in place as it should be and found very little if anydistortion or ill fit. Once located in the center of the chassis, clamped inplace and began to drill the holes, eight in total - 4 ea. @ 25/64"Clearance for 3/8" and 4 @ 21/64" for the 5/16" bolts. I willadd here that the kit does come with all fasteners/washers but I opted forGrade 8 rather than the Grade 5 supplied.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720014.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720015.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720017.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720040.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720042.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720050.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720058.jpg
With the mounts all buttoned up, it was time to get theblock ready. Years ago, I purchased ajunk block for this purpose and it has been an easy solution. I found a pair ofLS1 heads and an old intake manifold, front cover and other items along the wayto be able to determine any issues in fitment. The main plates supplied in thekit are made from 1/2" aluminum, nicely machines with very clearindication of the side they go on. Followed by the steel mount and after bothsides were done, I added the 4L60. Got out the forklift and added an extensionto reach into the chassis. Lowered it in and it fits like a glove, well,almost. The tail housing of the trans does rub on the X-Member but that is aneasy fix. Geoff had obtained an odd but useful looking trans crossmember forit, but it is for some other application. It will either get modified orreplaced.
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720060.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720061.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720065.jpg
http://pic20.picturetrail.com/VOL1600/2283636/23850503/397720069.jpg
All in all, about 8 hours including making the jig. Next,transmission crossmember.