[hgs_notes]

Cross sills can be formed fairly easy and won't require welding. Just find a shop with a sheetmetal brake and have new ones formed. The labor saved on the repair should be well worth it. The other option is to just use rectangular tubing the same height. It's overkill but simple. You just need to drill holes for the bed bolts and on the ends to bolt to the floor and sides.

Also, I know this is a bit late coming, but it's a fairly common practice to tighten those bed bolts until they snap, rather than cut them. They are not that big or strong and with the rust they usually snap off pretty quick.

I've got a 283 in my 71. Pretty good engine. I'm going to replace it with a 350 I'm building now. Should be swapped this spring.