notched factory crossmember frame attachment

[mudpaws]

I'm mounting a TH350 in an '80 Malibu with a factory notched xmember. When attaching to the frame on each side, everything lines up like I knew it would. Do I need to put any spacers between the crossmember and the frame? My car had a half-inch rubber pad there on both sides. There was a tapped metal /rubber pad on top, but it won't be needed since I'm passing bolts straight through and using lock nuts/washers.......

 

[565bbchevy]

I would still use a spacer either the factory ones or make some the same thickness, mine I made from steel plate since all my mounts are solid.
Not having the spacers will slightly throw off your motor mount bolt alignment and could change your pinion angle slightly.

 

[mudpaws]

OK, thank you. I figured about the pinion angle. I wanted to keep all the geometry close to factory even though I'm gonna lower the car. It's good to see what others have done in the same or similar situation.

I can make up half-inch steel plates for between the crossmember and frame. I shouldn't need anything up top right? The bolt and washer will be there, going through everything.

 

[565bbchevy]

I just put the spacers I made underneath the crossmember and mounted it with grade 8 bolts and nothing but nuts and washers up top.

 

[mudpaws]

Great, my thoughts and plans exactly. Thank you again!
Look for me maybe doing a mod thread. Take care

 

[mudpaws]

Ok so I looked closer still at the factory spacers. It seems the stock metal sleeves only protrude about a quarter to 5/16 inch below the metal of the xmember. So, given that, I plan to either use the solid quarter-inch plates, or cut and drill the existing metal bracket part to use just what I need of the sleeved portion. The original rubber here looks like it was compressed (like a shock mount end rubber). If i don't go solid, I will use the rubber block I have for now, or see if some supplier has new ones. Anyone know any?