I am getting my 72 ready for the Hot Rod Power Tour, and my list of "Wants" is shorter by one.

I decided cruising with the 454 at 3,500 RPM might make me deaf with the Hooker side pipes, so I made a few calls and got a line on a TKO 600 with the .64 overdrive. My fuel mileage should break into the double digits now!

Kevin at "Vettes by Design" got me a super deal on the transmission kit.

Since the car has the Muncie M21 in it already, the install was not too difficult. The hardest part was getting Centerforce to build me a 26 spline LMC clutch disc, and that came in 4 days quicker than estimated.

I did cut the cross member to make removal and installation that much more easy in the future. I cut it 10" from the frame rails on either side, and fabbed up some brackets and welded them in. Now, I can undo 4 bolts and the e-brake bulley, and the center section comes right out.

The TKO weighs more, but I think I offset that by removing a layer of dirt from the underside and frame.

While I was at it, I replaced the differential fluid with synthetic Lakewood fluid.

I fired up the engine and shifted through all the gears but haven't taken the car off the lift yet. All I have left to do is hook up the back-up light harness and then I will be ready to break her in. I will finish up the project tomorrow and take her for a spin.

I took some pictures of the process and I will take some more of the final installation and post them up for you guys to see.

 

Good luck with your new TKO 600 & post some pics ASAP.I've been thinking about doing it to my 68 427. Why did Centerforce have to build you a clutch disc? Doesn't the kit come with one?

 

Do you also have a light weight flywheel to go with the light metal pressure plate?

 

I didn't get a new clutch with the kit. I already had the Centeforce LMC clutch package on my Muncie, so all I really needed was the new clutch disc. Nobody has the clutch disc in stock, unless I wanted to get the new kit, so I had to wait for Centerforce to build one. It only took a couple days once I placed the order through Summit.

I am fairly sure the flywheel is a standard GM one. It is not aluminum and has not been drilled or anything. The pressure plate is one that came in the LMC kit from Jeg's that the PO installed when he built the car.

 

I hooked up the reverse lights, re-checked all the bolts, and took her for a spin.

The car ran like crap!

Come to find out, I must have knocked loose a couple lines on the headlights, and had a MAJOR vacuum leak. Once this was fixed, I did a 2 mile warm-up drive and all I can say is

"The car is amazing."

The shifter is really tight and it is much more difficult to downshift, but I hear that will loosen up in about 500 miles. Reverse is really tough.

Tomorrow I will put in the electric cooling fan and thermostat control, then take her for a nice drive. Maybe I will get her in 5th tomorrow...

 

Very nice, can't wait to see the pictures.
Riggs.

 

Congrates on the ride!Give it around 500 shake down miles,and will shift like butter.Please post the pics when you do the last stench of the PT,or call me,so I can have you email me some.
You are a car guy,and a pleasure to talk to on the phone.Thanks,bud.
Kevin

 

As another '72 with the TKO-600/.64, look us up on the Power Tour, we can compare notes. My boy and I will be jumping in at South Bend and hopefully making all the stops to Bristol.