Making the manual crossmember removable
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 779
Likes: 0
From: San Bruno California
One of the hard part of this job was to try and cut the crossmember straight. With no lift like some members may have, I did mine laying on my back and not enough room to work. My cut was not too straight despite me trying to make it. I grounded and trimmed it to make it straight and level. In doing so, I had a bigger gap. Also, It had to be cut more because of the 4 1/8 inch plates I used. So you will have to ground or trim it. Also, That's why I said to make sure to take the trans mount bracket measurements so when you weld everything back, you'll have it right where it belong. Not shifted to one side or the other. If I didn't know a welder at work, I don't think I would have done this job. Would had to tow it to a shop or hire a welder to come to my house. At home I had control and worked at my own pace. And it didn't cost me anything. It was scary for me to even consider doing it. But it all worked out for me in the end. As for the ground strap, everything was still being put together. Progress pictures.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 725
Likes: 1
From: FL.
I swapped my Muncie for The Richmond Overdrive some years ago, Heres some pics and details. Quite a few have done it this way.
Good luck with it.
http://69vettester.com/richmond.htm
Good luck with it.
http://69vettester.com/richmond.htm
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2020
Posts: 19
Likes: 2
Crossmember cutting
Do you have pics of a rope saw that will cut metal and who makes one 👍 thank you
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,746
Likes: 1,387
mad4slalom
Wow. Old thread. I bought the rope-saw at Denault's. Nothing special. Hat 2 big handles at either end. I may still have it ...but it would be hell to find! I will look.
I've gone through different changes now.
I modified the removable one to make it such that the exhaust "passes under".
THEN, I removed that thing and made my own out 3" by 3" box steel.
MY recommendation is that if you are going to make it removable just make the exhaust "pass under"....while you're at it. It is a lot better all the way around. Let me find some pics.
Here....you can my crossmember pics and modifications here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607005557
Wow. Old thread. I bought the rope-saw at Denault's. Nothing special. Hat 2 big handles at either end. I may still have it ...but it would be hell to find! I will look.
I've gone through different changes now.
I modified the removable one to make it such that the exhaust "passes under".
THEN, I removed that thing and made my own out 3" by 3" box steel.
MY recommendation is that if you are going to make it removable just make the exhaust "pass under"....while you're at it. It is a lot better all the way around. Let me find some pics.
Here....you can my crossmember pics and modifications here: https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607005557
Last edited by carriljc; Jan 25, 2024 at 08:01 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 6,746
Likes: 1,387
well, I'll be dipped in......
mad4slalom
haha.... found the rope saw where I left it about 26 years ago. I looked at my records and I first cut that crossmember in February 1998.
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 53,996
Likes: 6,213
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
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