Manual Transmission Crossmember Question - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**Bob B.** · 12-16-2025, 11:34 PM

Is it possible to remove the bellhousing (manual transmission) crossmember without cutting it?

**Jason Banks** · 12-17-2025, 12:25 AM

Yes. I have done 2 and cut neither. Get rid of the rivets and big hammer...

**mr48chev** · 12-17-2025, 12:37 AM

It's not any fun with the cab in place on the frame though. I helped my buddy do one back in the early 80's that he was swapping a V8 automtic into and for him the biggest problem was that he had already sold the whole stick setup out of it and couldn't give up and cut it. We finally took everything loose and raised the cab about a foot off the frame and blocked it up to get to the top rivets.

**Bob B.** · 12-17-2025, 01:04 AM

Thanks for the replies, I know the rivets are not too much fun!

A friend bought a '69 C/10 that was converted to a Turbo 350 from a 3 speed manual. Previous owner took a Sawzall to it, and was probably drunk at the time looking at the job he did. Hope he didn't lose too many fingers. Getting the rest out should be easy though.

12-16-2025, 11:34 PM	#1
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,457	Manual Transmission Crossmember Question Is it possible to remove the bellhousing (manual transmission) crossmember without cutting it? __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.

12-17-2025, 12:25 AM	#2
Jason Banks Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: TX Posts: 1,787	Re: Manual Transmission Crossmember Question Yes. I have done 2 and cut neither. Get rid of the rivets and big hammer...

12-17-2025, 12:37 AM	#3
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 16,400	Re: Manual Transmission Crossmember Question It's not any fun with the cab in place on the frame though. I helped my buddy do one back in the early 80's that he was swapping a V8 automtic into and for him the biggest problem was that he had already sold the whole stick setup out of it and couldn't give up and cut it. We finally took everything loose and raised the cab about a foot off the frame and blocked it up to get to the top rivets. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.

12-17-2025, 01:04 AM	#4
Bob B. Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Los Angeles Posts: 1,457	Re: Manual Transmission Crossmember Question Thanks for the replies, I know the rivets are not too much fun! A friend bought a '69 C/10 that was converted to a Turbo 350 from a 3 speed manual. Previous owner took a Sawzall to it, and was probably drunk at the time looking at the job he did. Hope he didn't lose too many fingers. Getting the rest out should be easy though. __________________ 1967 GMC CM-2500 Camper Cruiser, 351E V-6, NP 435 4 speed, Dana 60, and factory A/C. 2012 GMC K-3500 WT regular cab, 6.0L Vortec, 6L90.



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