'79 TH350 Crossmember & '63 frame reference

[J1MMY]

Just in the process of offering up the TH350 crossmember to the frame of my '63 and I cannot quite get a snug fit - there is a small gap between the upright side of the crossmember (that bolts to the side of the frame) and the frame itself. Is this usual and down to a slight difference in frame size?

I'm thinking that to get around it I could slot the holes that the transmission bolts go through, trim down the opposite end of the crossmember and push it across as it were - the slots will allow the trans to be re-centred on the crossmember.

Thoughts/experiences?

[Captainfab]

If the gap is say 3-4mm I wouldn't worry about it and bolt it up. If it is more than that, some further checking may be necessary. The overall width of the '63 frame should be 34" (not sure what that converts to in Metric) The '79 frame would be the same width.

[jtrichard]

86.36 Centimeters = 34"

[J1MMY]

Inches are fine, I generally use imperial and metric

It did work out about 3-4mm of gap so I did trim the opposite end of the cross member and elongate the trans mount holes slightly. All is now a tight fit instead of using the bolts to pull everything in or shimming the gaps. The trans lines up nicely too.