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I was wondering if anyone had used shorty headers on their install. If so is it easier to use the regular long chevy LUV headers or would the shorties work. Just wondering because I'm trying to piece everything together for a swap and I know the shorties are cheaper. Thanks for any help.

I used block hugger headers on my truck. I used the original luv motor mounts, which leaves plenty of room for the headers. The only problem, if you can call it a problem, is you cannot use a mechanical fuel pump. There is no room for it, an electric pump must be used.

how did you use the luv mounts on the v8?

I just did a lot of thinking before I installed my motor. I saw that the luv mounts were very close to the motor mounts on the v8. I bought some box steel tubing that was 1/4"thick and made them 4 1/2" long. I boxed the ends to make them really strong. The purpose of this was to raise the oil pan about 2" above the crossmember. I then got some engine mounts that came off of a 56 Chevy. Anyway I think that was the year. I can get the part number for you if you are interested. Then I set the steel blocks on the luv mounts. You want to mark the hole on the luv mount that is closest to the firewall, because that hole will bolt through the steel block and into the motor mount. Then drill another hole through the steel block and into the center of the luv mount. This is just for extra strenght. You will not use the bolt hole on the front of the luv mount. I just cut it off flush with the steel block. Now you cannot use a HEI distributor for this to work. You will need the smaller old point style, which I changed into a electronic system. As for the tranny mount, you can use the luv mount with a little fabracating. This is very easy. I hope I explained it, so you can get a picture in your mind what I did.

Hey Rick,
I'd be interested in any of the info you could pass me about your swap. I'm looking at dropping an '87 350 into my '80 2wd and am checking into the different ways you guys have already done this swap. E-mail me at roadshowbob@sbcglobal.net.

here is what i did. i used the stock mounts. cut the ears off and welded 4'' chanel to them for the bottom mounts. so regular headers or luv swap headers would not work,the engine is sitting too low for them to clear the tortion bars. so i used block huggers since they dump in the middle.

I just extended the existing LUV motor mounts out towards the front of the truck with some 3/8" flat metal. Bolted em to the existing mounts and bolted it up the engine mounts...it don't get much simpler then that! I wouldn't suggest this if you got a really powerful SBC though! Only thing is you have to take the starter off to get the engine out. Im just running stock manifolds at the moment but i did some measuring and long tube headers should work as long as they clear the steering setup...

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-1981 Chevy LUV, 283SBC, T350 Trans, White In Colour, Long Box, Never Ending Project!
-2001 F-350 Superduty XLT 7.3L Diesel Auto, Ext. Cab, Long Box, White In Colour
-1998 F-150 XL 4.2L V6 5spd , Reg. Cab, Flareside SB, Red In Colour