moving engine back

[chevy 37]

My 37 chevy was my first try in building a vehicle from the ground up. Sure I messed with alot of cars but have never built one. Now I have another question. When I built the frame from 2x4, I boxed it and made my crossmember to fit my 305 chevy engine. Yea made some mistakes and since I have 4" to spare before my engine hits the firewall, I would like to move the engine back so I can put a mechanical fan in and do away with the electric fans I now have. My question is I don't want to remove the crossmember so could I weld a piece of metal on the crossmember for the engine support or should I cut out the crossmember and reweld it.

[pro70z28]

Is it the origianl crossmember?? Welded in or rivited iin?? If it's rivited I think i'd cut the rivets, move the crossmember to where you need it. Drill new holes in the frame and bolt it in place. I had a 40 Chevy . Tryn' to remeber what the original crossmember looked like. I made a tube crossmember over the trans. and then fabed a bolt in loop under the trans. to the crossmember. Don't know if you can see it in de attachment. Had mine pushed back about 12". with a small block, little less when I went to BBC. Firewall was flat up against the back of the dash.

[pro70z28]

Had all kinds of room in de front of de ol' ... '40
Was also fun pullin' wheelies when the small block was in thar!!!!
Big block wuz too heavy,..... but faster!!!

[chevy 37]

pro70Z28 The crossmember I made is a copy of the origional that I welded to the frame. I did the same as you with a welded in loop around tranny. If I had rivet the crossember no problem, but I didn't and you can see why I don't want to cut it out

[pro70z28]

OOOOOPs. Didn't catch the part about fabin' a frame, Bet it's welded HUh. Got any pics. of the situation?

[pro70z28]

How far off is it??? You plannin' to go the full 4"? Will tranny or tranny pan hit crossmember if you go back that far?

[chevy 37]

If i go back the 4" I need ya the tranny will hit . Probably the best bet is to cut the crossember out, move the engine back to where I want it, take the engine back out and weld the crossember back to the right position.

[pro70z28]

probleee right