Identifying Small Block Trans/Engine Support Brackets
#2594435
12/19/18 09:17 PM
12/19/18 09:17 PM
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Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,563 Macomb, MI
vinnyd76
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pro stock
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OP
pro stock
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 1,563
Macomb, MI
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Anyone have any info on the small block trans/engine trans support brackets? Below are some pics of the support brackets. Are there different brackets between 318 and 340? Different from 70 and 71/72+?
Last edited by vinnyd76; 12/19/18 09:50 PM.
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Re: Validating Small Block Trans/Engine support Brackets
[Re: fullonmopar]
#2594474
12/19/18 11:12 PM
12/19/18 11:12 PM
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Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,146 Mesa, Arizona
dart4forte
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I Live Here
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Ma Mopar had them installed fora reason. Anytime there’s a device mated to the engine to Trans that creates more rigidity can’t be a bad thing.
“So if it’s on the internet it must be true”
Abe Lincoln
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Re: Validating Small Block Trans/Engine support Brackets
[Re: vinnyd76]
#2594487
12/19/18 11:38 PM
12/19/18 11:38 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,562 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
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Freeport IL USA
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I suspect the reasons Ma Mopar installed those brackets on the small block auto trans car was for resistance from breakage. A small block trans is only supported at the top 1/2 of the transmission. The extra brackets were installed on the bottom of the trans bell, giving support all around the bell. With the motor basically supported at the front of the motor, and the trans supported at the back of the trans, the bell to block is the weakest point in the support system, with breakage of the bell the result of a failure. I could see under grueling stress, the lack of support at the bottom of the bell could have been an issue. Since Mopar had the cover all the possible problems, adding the brackets to the small block auto trans was probably a cheap response. The stick bell is stronger and more importantly, a separate piece from the trans. Should a failure occur, the stick would only require a bell replacement. A failure with an auto trans would result in replacing a complete trans case and swapping the guts into a new case. Gene
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Re: Validating Small Block Trans/Engine support Brackets
[Re: poorboy]
#2594495
12/19/18 11:49 PM
12/19/18 11:49 PM
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Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,076 Michigan
A727Tflite
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master
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 3,076
Michigan
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I suspect the reasons Ma Mopar installed those brackets on the small block auto trans car was for resistance from breakage. A small block trans is only supported at the top 1/2 of the transmission. The extra brackets were installed on the bottom of the trans bell, giving support all around the bell. With the motor basically supported at the front of the motor, and the trans supported at the back of the trans, the bell to block is the weakest point in the support system, with breakage of the bell the result of a failure. I could see under grueling stress, the lack of support at the bottom of the bell could have been an issue. Since Mopar had the cover all the possible problems, adding the brackets to the small block auto trans was probably a cheap response. The stick bell is stronger and more importantly, a separate piece from the trans. Should a failure occur, the stick would only require a bell replacement. A failure with an auto trans would result in replacing a complete trans case and swapping the guts into a new case. Gene That is the exact reason. 4 x 4 trucks broke cases when the brackets were omitted and even 2 wheel drives did when driven off road.
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Re: Validating Small Block Trans/Engine support Brackets
[Re: vinnyd76]
#2594923
12/21/18 02:29 AM
12/21/18 02:29 AM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 10,562 Freeport IL USA
poorboy
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I Live Here
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Freeport IL USA
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My brother in law had a driveshaft go out of balance at 80 MPH one time, by the time he got it slowed down and to the side of the road, the trans case was busted in several places. Only the torque converter hub kept the trans from falling out! There were chunks of trans case, trans fluid, and an array of other broken stuff that left a trail to the side of the road. He said he felt a vibration that grew worse very fast, as he hit the brakes hard, he heard a boom, and coasted to a stop on the side of the road. We think he may have lost a u joint, but there was no way of knowing with what was left. Of course, he didn't think he needed to extra brackets on the trans. He has them there now. Gene
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Re: Validating Small Block Trans/Engine support Brackets
[Re: poorboy]
#2595368
12/22/18 02:46 AM
12/22/18 02:46 AM
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Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 954 garnett kansas
rhad
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super stock
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garnett kansas
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i seen some broken chevy 4x4 cases before gm retrofitted brackets that bolted to the heavy aluminum flywheel cover they came up with,i wondered if a mount to the frame for those overgrown 203 t cases would have prevented that??
my ladder of success is missing some rungs
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Re: Validating Small Block Trans/Engine support Brackets
[Re: elmor353]
#2595618
12/22/18 08:46 PM
12/22/18 08:46 PM
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Joined: May 2003
Posts: 15,487 Florida
scratchnfotraction
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Florida
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Why would the 318 and 360 brackets be different? The engines are the exact same outer dimensions. I think 340/360 are different as is the 1 motor mount on those blocks due to thicker 4" cyl bore cast blocks.. 273/318 LA blocks are same me thinks & you cant bore these 3.91 cyls out to 4" IIRC 318/340 are same stroke but you cant bore a 318 block for a 340 piston but you can STROKE & BORE a 318 block to a 349 up to a 390 CI
Last edited by scratchnfotraction; 12/22/18 08:49 PM.
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