Dear Welder Series…

Should be receiving my 60″ crossmember today.
I was reviewing some measurements based on the video for the installation.
I’m trying to keep close to the ride height I currently have. The current spindle height with the tire is 14″. The top of the frame is 21″ and 17″ at the bottom.
My question is, what’s the max delta between the fame measurement and the top hat spring enclosure before I run out of material on the top hat to weld and clearance for the upper control arm bolts.

I hope that was clear.
Thanks,
Stephen

This is a good question, Stephen.  It is important to consider these things before cutting, as you are doing…

The maximum frame height (top of the frame) to clear the rear of the upper control arm is spindle height (14″ in your case) plus 4-3/4″;  i.e. 18-3/4″.  This will be the vertical height from the ground to the top of the frame at a point 5-1/2″ back from the spindle center line.  Aftermarket arms are often smaller at the bushing than stock arms but you probably won’t be able to go much more than 5″ instead of the 4-3/4 noted above.  To solve this upper arm/frame rail interference issue, notch the top of the frame rail.  In your case, you might want to notch the top and add to the bottom, because of the amount removed (about 2″ of the 4″ frame rail).  Add to the bottom first to make the rail stronger, then cut down from the top.  After the frame rail gets notched and boxed (and/or the bottom gets material added) these new surfaces become the top and bottom reference surfaces for the tower and crossmember notches.

Your question was very clear (I think)… I hope this answer is clear.  Let me know if, after reviewing the sheets included with the kit, you want to talk again.

Thanks for bringing up a good point.

Paul Horton

Grant Schwartz (Schwartz Welding) was installing a Ford 8.8 rear end from a Fox bodied Mustang in a frame so, naturally, he perused the Welder Series catalog (click to get a copy) for ideas.  After deciding on parts LS204 and LS208 from our LS1 motor mount kit, he trimmed, notched, and welded them to the end of a bar.  Now he has a clean, strong triangulated four link using the original mounts on the rear end!

Dear Welder Series…

Hello:
Can you tell me if the part number LS103 will work to adapt a LS1 engine to fit the standard motor mounts for a 1972 Chevelle?

Thanks!
John

John, LS150 is the kit to use for your Chevelle.  Use Energy Suspension #3.1114 insulators.  These insulators have a reinforcing rib on the engine side.  The slot in the adapter plate is clearance for this rib.  Notice that the top of the slot in the LS104 adapter plate is higher than the slot in the LS150 plate.  The rib in the GM stock rubber insulator goes higher than the Energy Suspension (ES) rib.  The ES rib is shorter so the flat head Allen bolt can be used to hold the plate to the engine block.  The stock GM rubber insulators do not work with the LS150 (and LS166) kits.

LS103 is used in the LS104 kit.  This kit is for custom-built frames that don’t have any frame mounts installed.  Frame mounts #C005 can be used to complete the installation in, for example, a ‘32 Ford.

I hope this helps you get the right mounts for your car.

Paul Horton

Dear Welder Series…

Wondering if your welder mustang 11 kit can be made to fit in a 1980 f-100 pickup. Want to lower this truck but it appears nobody make a kit to do so. this is why I’m asking it seems my only hope would be put more of car type front end under it. thanks for any help

Thanks for asking about Welder Series parts, Joseph.  The widest MII crossmember we make is about 60″ track width.  This is the distance from the wheel mounting face of one rotor to the other.  Will this be wide enough for your project?

The coil spring mounts for the Twin I-Beam will have to come off.

How wide apart are your frame rails (inside & outside dimensions)?

Can you give me an idea of  the ride height dimensions from the ground to the bottom and to the top of the frame?

I’ll get back to you after I do some work with your reply.

Thanks.

Paul Horton