Front crossmember repair Help

I bought a cheap beater today and the front crossmember was damaged when the PO hit a pole. It was removed and now it needs one. I though of just welding some plate steel across there when I have it apart to fix the crack behind the steering box. Will that be sufficient or should I get a factory one from the Pull a part?

plate would be stronger than factory

Go to a pull a part and measure a straight one to get the frame width, replace yours with plate while making sure you don't tweak the frame rails (they have a little tension on them from the factory.)

Also, bore a hole/set of holes where you would have to put a wrench on a harmonic balancer puller. If you ever have to change the HB you will be glad you did.