[Mike C]

If you own a 67-72 Chevy truck V8 and 4 wheel drive, the engine sits right up against the firewall just like it does when you mount it in the 6 cylinder position of a 2 wheel drive truck. So in that sense, yes, they were mounted that way form the factory.

I wouldn’t discount the effect of moving the motor back a little on performance would have either. Moving the battery from front to rear on a muscle car can have a noticeable effect on balance and traction. Moving 800# back 4” does make a noticeable difference depending on what you goals are.

4” less driveshaft can make a difference as well if you are running a 1 piece. Like everything else, it depends on what your goals are what might be best for you.

I am inherently cheap, and I don’t know what your plans are for transmission but I would change and spend as little as possible to do a GOOD, CLEAN, PROFESSIONAL looking installation.