To shorten the plates you basically cut the flat part off with the tall plates bolted down tight, so that the three legs are steady. Then take about 1/2 inch off each leg and weld a plate back on. Drill your two bisquit holes and trim the extra off. Anyone with basic welding skills can do this, you just need the engine supported in the bay and the x-member installed. We did this on an engine hoist and took all of half an hour. It is easier to buy the correct stuff, fer sure, but if you can't find anything this will work. While you are at it just go ahead and make an adaptor plate to mount the V8 in the six cyl xmember. An hours worth of welding time at your local hot shot welder sure beats the 3 bills you will dish out for the V8 xmember. The next time I am at my shop I will measure the two mounts....Russ __________________________________ Start your day with Yahoo! - Make it your home page! http://www.yahoo.com/r/hs