[ErikW]

Darin, I just took a piece of 1/4" plate (as opposed to angle) and welded it straight to the frame. Just profile it where it sits on the frame. You are going to find out that the engine does not sit level with the frame rail. it is tilted back at a slight angle. So using a piece of plate profiled to the top of the frame rail and clamped to the "ear", tack it, remove the ear and weld it on both sides and your good to go. Hope this helps.

Erik

[goquick]

I too have to ask why laterial bars? Sounds more gimmick to me. Or to cover up a flimsy plate set up that the mid/frontplate maker knows is inferior.

[Jagtec1]

Originally Posted by goquick

I too have to ask why laterial bars? Sounds more gimmick to me. Or to cover up a flimsy plate set up that the mid/frontplate maker knows is inferior.

I'm guessing you are asking about the fore/aft limiters shown previously? I think even with a beefy front and mid plate, you still run a risk of having the motor/trans wanting to move rearward on hard acceleration. I have seen that most tube cars seem to have limiters.

Eric, thanks for the tip.

[Half-Inch Stud]

Hmmm, Erik gave me a good idea...I'll expand it:

Pre-cut each "ear" to clear the frame by ~1/2" or less, bolt each "ear" onto head face.
Cut & Bolt-on each Steel L-bracket.

Then form each "L-bracket" to perfection, and spot-on drill through L-brackets & Frame. 2 bolts per L-bracket, Frame-weld can occur later if at all.

Possibly a pair of 3" L-brackets per side: top-of-frame, and side of frame.

[Tim Corcoran]

I personally have not used them. Bill Takanabe did use them on his 65 GTO when he was still running D-Port heads. He was running 10.30's at the time. As far as I know he never had problems running this setup. You might consider using the All Pontiac front plate as it is pretty inexpensive and easy to install. You can even mount your alternator to the plate.

Tim C

[ErikW]

HIS, you got it. Don't even have to be angle brackets. A properly welded plate is more than strong enough. I still use the "ears" on my car, however, I use a mid-plate also. I think the mid-plate takes the brunt of the punishment and the ears simply hold up the front of the engine. I use a rubber trans mount and fore-aft support bar to stabilize everything.

Darin, I don't know what kind of headers you are running know, but keep in mind that when you do go with a mid-plate, you have to consider header interference. That is the point in which I had to fabricate my own headers. No off the shelf headers would clear the plate without modification. Just some food for thought.

Erik

[Half-Inch Stud]

Hmmm yea, flat 3/16 steel receiver brackets to frame rather than "L-brackets".
Best to put Steel receiver brackets BEHIND the aluminum ears for ease of Block lift R&R. May want to weld the nuts to the receiver brackets for ease of service...that quality feel.

[Tim Corcoran]

Just an FYI I use a mid plate in my 65 LeMans using Indian Adventures 1-7/8 headers with no clearance problems.

Tim C

[Tim Corcoran]

Go to the Pontiac Heaven website http://pontiacheaven.org/friends%20race%20cars.htm and look in friends cars. Scroll down until you see Charlie Haskins 69 Judge and look at the second picture. You will see your elephant ears your talking about bolted on his aluminum E-heads, and it's an 8 second car.

Tim C

[ErikW]

Just an FYI I use a mid plate in my 65 LeMans using Indian Adventures 1-7/8 headers with no clearance problems.

It's when you step up to 2" that you find your choices are much more limited.

[XSIVPWR]

Originally Posted by Tim Corcoran

Go to the Pontiac Heaven website http://pontiacheaven.org/friends%20race%20cars.htm and look in friends cars. Scroll down until you see Charlie Haskins 69 Judge and look at the second picture. You will see your elephant ears your talking about bolted on his aluminum E-heads, and it's an 8 second car.

Tim C

Very Nice!!
Well I guess that answers any and all question. At least mine anyway.