Making trans crossmember removable?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Making trans crossmember removable?
How would one go about making a fixed transmission crossmember removable?...
-Certain way to cut it out? bend the top flap to the bottom?
-What bolt fixture would you use to secure it to the frame?
Any pics of this already done???
-Certain way to cut it out? bend the top flap to the bottom?
-What bolt fixture would you use to secure it to the frame?
Any pics of this already done???
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
yes there was a really good thread on this within the last year or so ...lots of pictures and different ways of doing it.....try some different searchs onthe subject
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,742
Likes: 1,384
Here's what I did....
I cut the crossmember, welded a plate on each on each stub, and then used bolts to (grade 8, 4 per side) bolted the 2 plates to each other.
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Hope this is somewhat clear.
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Hope this is somewhat clear.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Originally Posted by rosslato
heres one way to do it
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 189
Likes: 0
From: Somerville NJ
I have just converted a 74 auto to a b w 4sp. the crosmember on the 74 unbolted from the side rails. I got the trans. from a 75 that one was welded to the side railes. I am thinking in 75 they started to weld them what yr. is yours?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
Stick shifts were welded in, auto were bolted in....this for serviceability...seems simpler to have made them all bolt in...but no....
anyway, I cut my X support about 3-4 inches from each end, and got 2" angle iron welded on the support bar, and use just one 3/8? bolt fore and aft facing, through the entire mess...the angle holds everything solid as hell, and it's oriented to encourage water drainage....
you can see a slight bump under the cowling if you look lo enough or far enough away....
anyway, I cut my X support about 3-4 inches from each end, and got 2" angle iron welded on the support bar, and use just one 3/8? bolt fore and aft facing, through the entire mess...the angle holds everything solid as hell, and it's oriented to encourage water drainage....
you can see a slight bump under the cowling if you look lo enough or far enough away....
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,248
Likes: 48
From: westland mi
Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
Thats a neat idea. Is there enough room in those exhaust tunnels to get a wrench in there for the bolts? what gauge flat steel did you use?
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Post From Bullshark
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
Likes: 13
From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
To install the T56 Viper tranny, I cut out the manual tranny crossmember and got a used auto removable one, welded in some nuts into the frame and bolted the crossmember in the original way, but a few inches further back because this T56 is a huge tranny.
Looks original, at least to our car inspectors we have to visit evry 2nd year. When they see some of the aftermarked tube type crossmembers, they might bcome crazy and give you a hard time.
Günther
To install the T56 Viper tranny, I cut out the manual tranny crossmember and got a used auto removable one, welded in some nuts into the frame and bolted the crossmember in the original way, but a few inches further back because this T56 is a huge tranny.
Looks original, at least to our car inspectors we have to visit evry 2nd year. When they see some of the aftermarked tube type crossmembers, they might bcome crazy and give you a hard time.
Günther
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,028
Likes: 2
From: North NJ
Originally Posted by TopGunn
Here's a nice set of pictures and ideas:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1505590
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1505590
Wonder if it would be just as strong if I put two full solid plates on each side instead of cutting out the center and welding around. That would make it a bit easier, it would also section off the member adding strength. What do you think? What guage do you think would work best?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Not just as strong - but likely strong enough.
You could always add some triangular gussets to strengthen it further.
Picture for illustrative purposes only ... not a design.
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/end_plate.jpg
I have an "extra" auto crossmember with the mating pieces of frame cut out.
If anyone is interested, I could be convince to part with it.
It's not nice and new, and it will take some decent metal/welding
skills to get it in right.
You could always add some triangular gussets to strengthen it further.
Picture for illustrative purposes only ... not a design.
http://nhvette.homeunix.com/ftp/in/end_plate.jpg
I have an "extra" auto crossmember with the mating pieces of frame cut out.
If anyone is interested, I could be convince to part with it.
It's not nice and new, and it will take some decent metal/welding
skills to get it in right.
Last edited by NHvette; Nov 1, 2006 at 06:10 PM.
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,629
Likes: 4
From: Somers CT
Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
Thanks TopGun. Bullsharks is ideal but i don't have the resources to have something like that fabricated.
Wonder if it would be just as strong if I put two full solid plates on each side instead of cutting out the center and welding around. That would make it a bit easier, it would also section off the member adding strength. What do you think? What guage do you think would work best?
Wonder if it would be just as strong if I put two full solid plates on each side instead of cutting out the center and welding around. That would make it a bit easier, it would also section off the member adding strength. What do you think? What guage do you think would work best?
Hard to say what the thickness is, looks like maybe 3/8". Maybe he'll chime in.
Bill
