1980 Frame 4spd vs Auto
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
1980 Frame 4spd vs Auto
My friend and I are putting a motor and tranny from a 1980 4 speed car into a 1980 auto chassis. we modified the floor so the shifter fits, but does anyone know if the cross member where the tranny mounts to the frame is different? The motor seems to be just a little too close to the front so that the belt from the power steering pump is touching the frame in the front.
Thank you!
Thank you!
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,272
Likes: 4,363
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi BD,
The position/location of the engine didn't change if a car was a 4-speed or automatic.
The crossmember that supports the rear of the transmission was a different design though.
The 4-speed crossmember was welded in place while the automatic crossmember bolted in place.
Regards,
Alan
The position/location of the engine didn't change if a car was a 4-speed or automatic.
The crossmember that supports the rear of the transmission was a different design though.
The 4-speed crossmember was welded in place while the automatic crossmember bolted in place.
Regards,
Alan
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 17,676
Likes: 201
From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.
There is very little clearance between the power steering pulley and the frame, you can't get your finger in there.
If the pulley is actually touching the frame then one solution would be to loosen the motor mount bolts at the frame and the three on each side of the block.
Get a long wrecker bar and try and force the engine back or you could get a 2x4 and find a place where you can hammer it in to keep the engine back and then tighten all the bolts back up.
If the pulley is actually touching the frame then one solution would be to loosen the motor mount bolts at the frame and the three on each side of the block.
Get a long wrecker bar and try and force the engine back or you could get a 2x4 and find a place where you can hammer it in to keep the engine back and then tighten all the bolts back up.
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 33
Likes: 7
I have a 80 that was changed to 4 spd,( installed by orginal owner ) I changed the crossmember out for an older one with the holes for exhaust so can run exhaust straight back. All I had to do was oblong the holes on crossmember so could bolt to frame, everything else lined right up perfectly. Though think I read somewhere other problems arise, like different length of driveshaft etc
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3,717
Likes: 551
From: Seattle Washington
I'm under the impression that the 80-82 cars all had bolt in cross members for both Auto and Manual Trans cars. If the Pulley Belt it to close to the Frame You need to lower the Trans at the Cross Member. Or the Car has the wrong motor mounts.
