Converting fixed crossmember to removable
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Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 8
From: Denham Springs LA
Converting fixed crossmember to removable
I want to convert the fixed crossmember on my 68 4 speed to a removable piece for ease of removal of the transmission. Any suggestions on how to tackle this would be helpful. I have side exhaust so the cutouts are not necessary. I was thinking of cutting the crossmember out, welding plates to each end, and bolting it back together.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 370
Likes: 0
From: Rockford Michigan
I did it, very easy to do. Cut the old one out, get an assembly from an auto frame including the brackets that weld to the frame. Once you have all of the parts, bolt it to the transmission and then weld the brackets to the frame. You will also need to weld some nuts in the bottom of the frame for the bolts that go in the bottom of the crossmember. I used square nuts, there is also an expandable nut you can use. Shouldn't take more than a half of a day at most...
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 11,872
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From: Waterloo ontario Canada
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 62
Likes: 8
From: Denham Springs LA
The pics from Zwede were great, he mentioned a group discount for a Tremec transmission in his thread, how can I get more info on this? I am making my crossmember removable as a 1st step in preparing to install a 5 speed in the future.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
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From: Forked River NJ
Originally Posted by jeffrow68
The pics from Zwede were great, he mentioned a group discount for a Tremec transmission in his thread, how can I get more info on this? I am making my crossmember removable as a 1st step in preparing to install a 5 speed in the future.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,362
Likes: 1
From: San Antonio TX
Originally Posted by jeffrow68
The pics from Zwede were great, he mentioned a group discount for a Tremec transmission in his thread, how can I get more info on this? I am making my crossmember removable as a 1st step in preparing to install a 5 speed in the future.
Last edited by GDaina; Oct 17, 2005 at 10:04 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,161
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From: pr, frederick md.
i did mine alittle different than swede, although it was his advice that got me into this mod in the first place. i started by taking MANY MANY measurment, from any and all points i could to make sure it went back the same as it came out. i cut the x-member about 4" from the side frame rail by the doors were it is welded. i fabbed up some 1/4 flat plate almost the same shape as the x- member tube. i clamped two of the plates together at a time and drilled four 7/16 holes in the corners with it clamped. i welded one plate to each remaining x-member stub under the car. then i subtracted the witdh of the two plates and cut the difference from my center x- member peice. ( on each side of course ). i clamped this together under the car with bolts in the plates and welded the joined plates to the x- member center peice. so now my x-member can drop straight down when i remove it, and does not have to rely on bolts alone to stop movement side to side. i have also seen tubular x-memberson this forum, which would help you as you have side pipes and arent worried about the cutouts 
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I also had to cut the crossmember out of my 68 as I installed a T56 .
I used a removable crossmember from a auto Vette and boltet it some inches further bach up.
I did this to keep the looks more or less original as I have to go through a bi-yearly inspection and the inspectors can be so picky.
Günther
I also had to cut the crossmember out of my 68 as I installed a T56 .
I used a removable crossmember from a auto Vette and boltet it some inches further bach up.
I did this to keep the looks more or less original as I have to go through a bi-yearly inspection and the inspectors can be so picky.
Günther
Last edited by WESCH; Oct 19, 2005 at 02:20 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by redc3
i did mine alittle different than swede, although it was his advice that got me into this mod in the first place. i started by taking MANY MANY measurment, from any and all points i could to make sure it went back the same as it came out. i cut the x-member about 4" from the side frame rail by the doors were it is welded. i fabbed up some 1/4 flat plate almost the same shape as the x- member tube. i clamped two of the plates together at a time and drilled four 7/16 holes in the corners with it clamped. i welded one plate to each remaining x-member stub under the car. then i subtracted the witdh of the two plates and cut the difference from my center x- member peice. ( on each side of course ). i clamped this together under the car with bolts in the plates and welded the joined plates to the x- member center peice. so now my x-member can drop straight down when i remove it, and does not have to rely on bolts alone to stop movement side to side. i have also seen tubular x-memberson this forum, which would help you as you have side pipes and arent worried about the cutouts
