Keisler TKO-500 install
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
Keisler TKO-500 install
We will be doing a Keiser TKO-500 conversion this week, on a 78. We ordered it on August 10th, and received it today, at least 1 week earlier than expected. Everything arrived in good shape, no back-ordered parts. We will update progress as we go. 
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Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 51
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From: Ansonia CT
Good luck in a good way. I just did my 80 and the worst part was the bell housing alignment. The rest went pretty straight foward. The only wrong part was the drive shaft length, you may have seen my post over the weekend, and they are sending the correct one. I expect it today. I'm still waiting for the master cyl. for the clutch setup though. Ordered it with the kit end of June... Supposed to be coming soon.
Hope all goes well.
Hope all goes well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Big G...Tuned to your channel... Keep us posted. Very interested in your experiences and opinions since the board is divided on Keisler and you seem to be VERY experienced with C3s.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
St. Jude Donor '05-'07
Originally Posted by big_G
We will be doing a Keiser TKO-500 conversion this week, on a 78. We ordered it on August 10th, and received it today, at least 1 week earlier than expected. Everything arrived in good shape, no back-ordered parts. We will update progress as we go.
Any way you can post up a play by play with pics?
I think the 500 is very similar to the 600 as far as installation... I have decided on the 600 for the time being.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 5,752
Likes: 4
From: Austin Texas
We're already starting the job, I'll d/l pics. tomorrow....Nice instruction pack, Keisler requires that you locate the bellhousing concentricity using a dial indicator to validate the warranty, so you will have to buy or borrow one.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 1,179
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From: SF East Bay CA
I am just finishing the install on my 79.. pretty painless.. bellhousing dialed in perfectly.. just finishing up the pedal assembly now. Should have it on the road by the end of the week. Best thing out there. The Keisler people are great. Only issue was wrong u joint was sent. Didn't want to wait a week for shipment so got one locally. Really happy so far and the Keisler people have been great!! I ordered mne in late March and it arrived complete in late May. Took a while to ge tthe time to get it in, but with help from Precison Motive in Hayward, CA, it has been painless!!!! (Robert, if you are reading this you should add Pat Hendricks at Precisoon Motive to your NoCalifornia installer list!!)
Will post pics when copmpleted!! Good Luck on the install
Will post pics when copmpleted!! Good Luck on the install
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by big_G
We're already starting the job, I'll d/l pics. tomorrow....Nice instruction pack, Keisler requires that you locate the bellhousing concentricity using a dial indicator to validate the warranty, so you will have to buy or borrow one.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Originally Posted by big_G
We're already starting the job, I'll d/l pics. tomorrow....Nice instruction pack, Keisler requires that you locate the bellhousing concentricity using a dial indicator to validate the warranty, so you will have to buy or borrow one.
Originally Posted by Z-man
The feedback is that most of the stock BHs are pretty good as far as concentricity goes. Most of the whiners had Lakewood units which require locating dowels...
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Ansonia CT
Originally Posted by CGGorman
I didn't WHINE about it, but yes, the Lakewood was horrible. It LITERALLY took me longer to align the bellhousing than to install the tranny in the car.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 10,643
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From: Foxfield CO 1970 Convertible
Originally Posted by CGGorman
I didn't WHINE about it, but yes, the Lakewood was horrible. It LITERALLY took me longer to align the bellhousing than to install the tranny in the car.
Actually, I have seen others grumbling also. Did you have to use the offset dowels?
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Joined: Aug 2001
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From: Ansonia CT
No wasn't me whinning about that anyway, my problem was the too long of a driveshaft. Yes in answer to your question, I used the .007 thousands pins. I was originally out .018 using the lakewood, with the .007 pin kit as they recomended I got it to.004 which is within their tolerance. Quite a project since the pins fit so tight in the block, we had to emery them a little so we could move them after they were in.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
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From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Originally Posted by vettenut2
No wasn't me whinning about that anyway, my problem was the too long of a driveshaft. Yes in answer to your question, I used the .007 thousands pins. I was originally out .018 using the lakewood, with the .007 pin kit as they recomended I got it to.004 which is within their tolerance. Quite a project since the pins fit so tight in the block, we had to emery them a little so we could move them after they were in.
Yep, I was in the same boat...except the driveshaft.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 294
Likes: 1
From: Racine Wisconsin
TKO transmission jack
I am installing the TKO myself with the Shark on jackstands. I fabricated a transmission jack from a Larin $20 hydraulic jack from Harbor Freight. The wheel base and lift arm were extended and turn buckles were installed to adjust the height. The transmission can sit on the jack and be pushed under the vehicle and then be "jacked" into the tunnel.
