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I have decided not to do a 3G hemi swap in my 64' d200 CSS, instead, a 440 will fit the bill. I would like to see the engine cross brace on any CSS truck, as mine has it, but not sure if it is needed. Tried using the search tab, but nothing came up pertaining to the brace. So if ya have a couple of pics, please post them, thanks.

Hemicss wrote:I have decided not to do a 3G hemi swap in my 64' d200 CSS, instead, a 440 will fit the bill. I would like to see the engine cross brace on any CSS truck, as mine has it, but not sure if it is needed. Tried using the search tab, but nothing came up pertaining to the brace. So if ya have a couple of pics, please post them, thanks.

On a '64, there would be a bell housing cross member [manual tranny] or a
tranny tail-shaft cross member [Loadflite 727]. There were engine mount
perches on the frame, but no "engine cross member".
John

2 possible trans cross members, got that. Engine pads on the frame, have that also, but I have 1 more in front of those. Can I send a pic of it on my phone to you?

Here is a picture of Ben's 64 HPP truck. If a factory 426 truck doesn't have an extra crossmember, I'm sure yours was added and not needed.

Mine has the cross member connecting the 2 engine mounts off the frame. If someone would let me text them a pic, just to confirm that it is not needed that would help.

here's a better photo that explains how a 426 HPP truck would be set up:



NOTE: the manual trans bell housing frame member is still represented BUT it has been torched off at the factory (using a template) and two spanners were installed to maintain the frame strength in that space. this is not unique to HPP trucks as this can be found on most pre-68 trucks equipped with an automatic.

Ben

here's a greasy detail of the spanner attachment:

I've the rear most cross member, none in the middle, and 1 connecting the frame mounts for the engine. I need to get a pic up so everyone can see what is there, but this iPad won't do it, or I don't know how to use it correctly, may need to wait for he better half to get home.

Hemicss wrote:I've the rear most cross member, none in the middle, and 1 connecting the frame mounts for the engine. I need to get a pic up so everyone can see what is there, but this iPad won't do it, or I don't know how to use it correctly, may need to wait for he better half to get home.

email me a photo - simonsben@gmail.com

I'll give it a shot, but if I can't, I'll do it when the better half gets home....thanks for the help.

I think I know what you are talking about. I had a factory (so I think) brace between the front engine mounts on my '64 D100 318 Town Panel which uses the same frame as the short wheel base trucks (114"). It has factory stamped dodge bolts that hold it to the frame and the Town Panel had a SERT sticker that listed Frame Reinforcement (03...).
Here is a picture of the engine mount reinforcement:

That's it!! Glad I don't have some bastardized part on the truck. Now the big question, will that cross member cause any problems with a 440?

Does that brace go all the way down and contact the front axle?

Jim100 wrote:Does that brace go all the way down and contact the front axle?

it does not. he sent me his photos and i'll post them after this....

Hemicss wrote:That's it!! Glad I don't have some bastardized part on the truck. Now the big question, will that cross member cause any problems with a 440?

i bought one of these braces to put on my truck and decided not to use it with my deep front sump pan. it came very cloe to it and i would have had to modify the bracket mounting points to fit. if you use a rear sump pan (i don't know what other potential problems that would cause) you should have no problem using the bracket.

Ben

Thanks for the pics. I've never come across this cross member. I'm wondering if
it shows up in the earlier parts books.... Does any other early Sweptline
owner here have this installed on a truck? I'm wondering if it was [or was not]
specific to PG era frames?.... Great stuff to know!
John

it usually comes with a special SERT number like hemicss mentioned above.

it is not a rare thing but it is unusual.

Ben

Swapping an oil pan and pick up tube is no biggie if needed. What is a PG era frame as mentioned above?

CSS-Registry wrote:it usually comes with a special SERT number like hemicss mentioned above.

it is not a rare thing but it is unusual.

Ben

I knew of the actual frame rail reinforcement SERT, which my early '65 D100 has
but not the cross member as a SERT'd reinforcement. Good stuff to know.
John

So more of a big block thing or elclusive to css?
And PG era is Power Giant?
Interesting info.