installing correct engine cross bar, any reason i can't do it this way? Options

[pt_700]

after years of driving around with the incorrect early bar on my '71 sideshift conversion, i've sourced the correct late bar (with the holes for cables & shift rod - i'll be sure not to install it reversed!).

i'm planning to back her up onto ramps and supporting the engine on at least a couple stands. provided i do that well, any reason i couldn't replace that cross bar without disturbing parts other than the rear shift rod and clutch cable?

i seem to recal that flipping the washers on the bar to body mounts might stiffen things up a bit. is that correct or should i just replace those?

long term plan was to change to sbc but, that's a long way off...

[SirAndy]

any reason i couldn't replace that cross bar without disturbing parts other than the rear shift rod and clutch cable?

Trying to add the rubber mounts to the engine with the engine in the car is going to be a major PITA ...

IMHO, if you have a floor jack, it's easier to just drop the engine and trans together and work on the brackets and rubber mounts with the engine out of the car, then bolt the bar to the engine and put everything back into the car.

DO NOT use rubber outer mounts on the late style bar! The outside needs solid mounts.
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