68 Cross Member
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
68 Cross Member
It's been awhile since I've posted. I'm back to work on my 68 Convertible after 2 years. For some stupid reason a I put a 200R4 in it when the body was off. I now want to put the 4 spd back in it. It's done except for paint so I really don't want to take it all apart again. My question is, is there a way to remove the welded in cross member and the put it back in ? Reweld or something ? Or a way to bolt it back in ? I sure need some advice from someone who has done this.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
The 200R4 has a one-piece housing and can't be taken apart to remove it from the car.....I have one with a welded crossmember also
People have done the mod you're asking about(do a forum search), personally I would prefer to do it right and remove the motor, as either way you're looking at at least a weekends worth of work. Now would be a good time to do it before painting the car
People have done the mod you're asking about(do a forum search), personally I would prefer to do it right and remove the motor, as either way you're looking at at least a weekends worth of work. Now would be a good time to do it before painting the car
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
Thanks for the input guys. Fortunately the tail of the 700R4 is right even with the back of the cross member. I've got the torque converter loose & the bolts out to the engine. I'm hoping I can force it back enough to tilt it down & out.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 4,270
Likes: 20
From: Central Michigan
Do you have a 700 or a 200? You first post says 200. With the 700 you can remove the tailshaft housing which may buy you some more room, but it is longer than the 200 and still may not come out
Sounds like you have a 200...... I'm interested to see how you do this, as I may have to do it someday
Sounds like you have a 200...... I'm interested to see how you do this, as I may have to do it someday
Last edited by 682XLR8; Mar 14, 2012 at 06:25 PM. Reason: needed to add info
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 783
Likes: 38
From: Mankato Mn
OK, I have the tranny unbolted but there is no way it will come out without moving the engine ahead. After about 4 hours today & lots of naughty words I gave up. I'm thinking I can just lift the engine enough to get over the motor mounts & scoot it ahead a few inches. I've drained the radiator & removed the hoses. I'm just dreading removing everything else. (headers, fuel pump, starter ???? ) And I thought getting the brake & clutch pedals back in was going to be the hard part. All I can say right now is RATS !
Racer
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 353
Likes: 30
From: warwick rhode island
i put a 700r4 in my 69 with the 4 speed cross member in place. i cut off the top of the parking brake console from inside the car. it gave me just enough clearance to tip the 700r4 down by the front and get it in. don't know if it will work for removal.
