lowering the crossmember 2 inches

the 292 motor mt bracket is worked out, motor and trans are in place, radiator is in. Motor is to high, fan blades are mid upper radiator hose . thermo housing does not turn left its straight so I am dropping crossmember 2 inches to get some clearance.
I am not the first to encounter this I am sure, or have I done somthing wrong? lower hose lines up right now but I need a upper hose that looks like a "screw in ceiling hook" kinda, any experience with make or model with similar hose? this will give me breather clearance I needed anyway. next question, I am gonna look back for pics but I need to understand what are heater hoses in and out and a couple of extras! lol!

I am sure you guys are thinking "this guy is over his head!" probably would have helped if I was putting back what I had taken out, but maybe not. I have vision in construction not so much in mechanics. 

I had to do the same thing w/ a chevy V8 so the trans would fit. Just used some round stock

I had the same problem with mine to it was high up front after a v8 conversion and thought I would have to drop the front cross member also.!!! In my case I made a 1/2 inch spacer and put it between the transmission mount and trans cross member and raised the rear up instead of lowering the front and it solved my problem with no drive-shaft angle issues. ..a Half inch made a big difference.!!!!!

I didnt figure I was alone, I may drop the tranny as well a little, I dont think clearance is gonna be an issue.
Thanks

Rick you have to RAISE the transmission in order to lower the front of the motor.!!!!  Disconnect the trans mount put a jack and a piece of wood on the tranni pan and raise it up 1/2 inch off the crossmember and see what it looks like.!!!! a 1/2 inch up in the rear dropped the front of the motor down a couple of inches on mine.!!!!!!!!!

Damn! that tranny mount under yours is beautiful as compared to mine. that is now a must redo as well now. As there is only 3/4 of an inch between floor and tranny now what does clearance look like on yours? could u snap a pic of how your transmission crossmember connects to the frame as mine is just a welded up plate with a couple of holes blow through it.
thanks again!

..........................I had the same amount of clearance and its about 1/2 inch from the floor now with no issues. .!!!!!!!!!!

i took out the 4 bolts holding engine crossmember to frame and replaced with longer ones, just added 4 big nuts for spacers. lowered tranny to match.

I have gone the tubing route, gonna eyeball tranny once motor is down keeping an eye on joe vans tranny suggestion and cleaning mine up. Friday after thanksgiving I am hoping to hear this new motor run.

Since I needed to lower my 700R4 tranny for clearance with the floor, I decided to lower my engine crossmember too, to keep everything level. Just 1" though. I cut some aluminum stock that started out 2" x 1" x 12".



You can see more pictures and info on my thread:

https://vintage-vans.forumotion.com/t1038p75-back-tovanagains-newest-65-chevy-sportvan-deluxe#30554

I dropped mine 1-1/2" just to split the difference as I was new to it. 1" like Vanagains would be enough to get clearance for the trans I believe now. If you do not have one, get a magnetic angle locator at your hardware store. It has proved to me to be a very handy thing. Especially when matching up your trans/engine and pinion angles. For a quick start point getting the trans pan level with the van at normal stance and height on a level surface puts things close. Also keep in mind that the front to back driveline is not centered when making the trans mount.

adding this to long term notes, motor builder provided me with a flexplate "many thanks" I am all bolted up motor dropped, tranny lined up, transmission crossmember built and cleaned up transmission lines connected. Starter won't line up to bolt holes flywheel is to large, requires a 12.85 diameter vs. a 14 for starter to hit bolt holes. New flex plate in hand, just a minor delay. Sure wish I had a lift and transmission jack, better do a few extra push ups before the weekend.