The pictures will get bigger if you click them.
This front cross-member was originally from the Dodge Project frame. The idea was that since the engine sat so high in the frame and we had adequate suspension clearance below, that we should just drop the center of the cross-member 3″ to allow the engine to sit further down between the frame rails.
After adding the 3″ section of leftover rail from when I boxed and Z’d the frame to drop the center (you’ll be able to see where I added the pieces in the pics further down), I added the motor mount plates since there were none. The 9/16″ spacers between the rubber pads (gold anodized pieces in the 1st photo) may or may not have been used, since we were unsure at the time exactly how far we could go without incuring exhaust manifold clearance issues.
The drop from where the cross-member was cut-out of the frame comes in at 2 3/4″. Add to this the fact this piece was mounted in between the framerails (not level with the top) and the thickness of the frame top itself and you’re right on the money at 3″ motor drop. Looking at the 4″x4″ wood that the engine was resting on and you can see that 3″ should be sufficient drop and still allow the engine some wiggle-room without the exhaust banging the frame when you tromp on it.
The motor plate that bolts to the block would sit on the rubber pads and the bolt would run through the upper and lower rubbers, allowing the rubber to absorb all the nasty vibrations. It fits like it was made for it ;-) – with just enough room to get a wrench on the nut and the extra length of the bolt protruding through a hole in the bottom of the cross-member (below):
Since the guy ultimately wanted to go another route, I never did finish the underside so you can see where I added the frame-rail pieces to make the drop and where the little fittment pieces are.
That’s the good thing about hot-rodding. Everyone is entitled to do things the way that pleases them. As long as it’s safe, there’s no “right” or “wrong” as long as the individual is pleased with the end result. And since it’s his project, I did it his way for him; will hang this one on the wall somewhere; and wish him nothng but the best with his project.
Ciao 
