manual to auto help - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

CHEVYE · 11-16-2004, 10:57 AM

i got my chassis paint in yesterday and want to remove the old manual x member but it seems to be riveted in, should i just grind em off? i also have the auto x member from my old truck but it`s been awhile and i don`t remember if the holes should already be done for it??? any help is much appreciated, eric.

sdmahr · 11-16-2004, 11:46 AM

Drill the rivets out. Easier with your setup. Holes will already be there for the auto-trans X-Member.

sneakysnake · 11-16-2004, 11:57 AM

Grind the rivets flush then punch out with a chisel.Holes should be there for auto member

68w/sbc406 · 11-16-2004, 02:39 PM

i tried to drilled mine out, then torched them out. worked great

CHEVYE · 11-16-2004, 04:50 PM

thanks

glock35ipsc · 11-16-2004, 07:15 PM

Another way is to use a cut off tool and slot the head of the rivit, like a big slotted machine screw. Then use a flat chisel on an air hammer, or a chisel and a BFH, they will blow off real easy. Put the chisel here ~~~> (l) Hopefully that made sense LOL

CHEVYE · 11-16-2004, 07:22 PM

glock that`s what i was thinking, take a die grinder to it and chisel it off in sections.

glock35ipsc · 11-16-2004, 09:20 PM

Works like a charm!

purple gas · 11-17-2004, 01:04 AM

I tried grinding them off the rivets but I still couldn't get er out. The cab was still on tho. So I got a sawzall and a real good blade ( Bosch- Rescue & Demolition model) It cut like butter thru the member. I cut it near the frame rails so the "Y" section just fell out. But then I wasn't saving the old parts. Not sure what the blade is worth ( my neighbor is a rep & had a handfull of "samples". If I ever win the Lotto, I'm gonna just buy cars & cut 'em up, those blades work GREAT!

Tx Firefighter · 11-17-2004, 08:31 AM

That's how I do it, a sawzall and a sledge hammer.

Cut the middle of the crossmember out to where there a just 4 wings left riveted to the frame. Then, take the sawzall and slice the rivet heads off.

Now, whack the wing with the sledge hammer and it will pop off with the remnants of the rivets left in it.

**1970 CST Short Wide** · 11-17-2004, 10:56 AM

Why ruin the part buy cutting it in half. Take some time and grind off the rivets then punch them out. Someone might be interested in the manual Xmember.

I hate when people ruin good parts

68w/sbc406 · 11-17-2004, 11:45 AM

i havent heard of anyone changing from a auto to a 4 speed.

stickshift_or_walk · 11-17-2004, 12:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 68w/sbc406

i havent heard of anyone changing from a auto to a 4 speed.

He, he ... you have now, check the user name...

SSOW

68w/sbc406 · 11-17-2004, 01:04 PM

i guess i am just thinking of the old sm420 4 speed i had. no performance what so ever, althought with a L6 only firing 4 that could have been more of my problem

11-16-2004, 10:57 AM	#1
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	manual to auto help i got my chassis paint in yesterday and want to remove the old manual x member but it seems to be riveted in, should i just grind em off? i also have the auto x member from my old truck but it`s been awhile and i don`t remember if the holes should already be done for it??? any help is much appreciated, eric. Attached Images __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

11-16-2004, 02:39 PM	#4
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i tried to drilled mine out, then torched them out. worked great __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

11-16-2004, 04:50 PM	#5
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	thanks __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

11-16-2004, 07:15 PM	#6
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Another way is to use a cut off tool and slot the head of the rivit, like a big slotted machine screw. Then use a flat chisel on an air hammer, or a chisel and a BFH, they will blow off real easy. Put the chisel here ~~~> (l) Hopefully that made sense LOL __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

11-16-2004, 07:22 PM	#7
CHEVYE my gas saver Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Clarksville, TN Posts: 2,046	glock that`s what i was thinking, take a die grinder to it and chisel it off in sections. __________________ 85' SWB, 4.3/TH350, getting ready for paint 84`SWB, 462ci./TH400, cowl hood, 15" billet spec., flows, blazer buckets/console, flat black 71`SWB, project ebay feedback

11-16-2004, 11:46 AM	#2
sdmahr Registered User Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Texas....the Valley Posts: 199	Drill the rivets out. Easier with your setup. Holes will already be there for the auto-trans X-Member.

11-16-2004, 11:57 AM	#3
sneakysnake It's a catastrophic success. Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 2,077	Grind the rivets flush then punch out with a chisel.Holes should be there for auto member

11-16-2004, 09:20 PM	#8
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,684	Works like a charm! __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

11-17-2004, 01:04 AM	#9
purple gas Registered User Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: saskatoon, planet earth Posts: 694	I tried grinding them off the rivets but I still couldn't get er out. The cab was still on tho. So I got a sawzall and a real good blade ( Bosch- Rescue & Demolition model) It cut like butter thru the member. I cut it near the frame rails so the "Y" section just fell out. But then I wasn't saving the old parts. Not sure what the blade is worth ( my neighbor is a rep & had a handfull of "samples". If I ever win the Lotto, I'm gonna just buy cars & cut 'em up, those blades work GREAT!

11-17-2004, 08:31 AM	#10
Tx Firefighter Watch out for your cornhole ! Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Azle, Texas Posts: 14,162	That's how I do it, a sawzall and a sledge hammer. Cut the middle of the crossmember out to where there a just 4 wings left riveted to the frame. Then, take the sawzall and slice the rivet heads off. Now, whack the wing with the sledge hammer and it will pop off with the remnants of the rivets left in it. __________________ I'm on the Instagram- @Gearhead_Kevin

11-17-2004, 10:56 AM	#11
1970 CST Short Wide Senior Moment Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Pittsburg Ca Posts: 4,185	Why ruin the part buy cutting it in half. Take some time and grind off the rivets then punch them out. Someone might be interested in the manual Xmember. I hate when people ruin good parts __________________ 1970 CST LS 1 6 speed Ford 9 inch Detroit Tru Track, Dakota Didgital, Vintage Air, QA1 Coil Overs Front & Rear Lots of FUN 2013 GMC PU, Oldest Son 71 GMC LWB. QA1 Suspension, Angry SB. Youngest Son 2019 GMC Diesil Dually. Youngest Son 2017 Toyota SUV Daughters car 2018 Traverse , Wife’s Ride Pittsburg Ca 94565

11-17-2004, 11:45 AM	#12
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i havent heard of anyone changing from a auto to a 4 speed. __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler

11-17-2004, 01:04 PM	#14
68w/sbc406 Got Light Emitting Diode? Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Newberg, OR Posts: 2,485	i guess i am just thinking of the old sm420 4 speed i had. no performance what so ever, althought with a L6 only firing 4 that could have been more of my problem __________________ 1968 1/2 ton 2wd lwb 6 lug disc and bags up front. Next c notch and rear bags '02 Chevy Silverado LT ext cab short bed 2WD 5/7 drop on 22's(the family car) 1993 Cherokee work ride/weekend wheeler



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