Trouble with 700R4 X-Member Swap

[Howitzer]

So i bit the bullet and bought a junkyard 700R4. Rebuilt (first time for a transmission) and dropped it in the frame tonight. I originally had a TH400 bolted up to my 402 in a '72 Chey SWB. I bought the BTO crossmember and....it doesn't line up to any holes as promised. Am I missing something?

[piecesparts]

According to the information for the crossmember, there is should be no issues, if mounted with a standard GM engine. My thoughts would be to call and cuss a little.

Description
Custom cross member is made of 1.5 OD heavy wall, D.O.M tubing. It measures 32.25" long and is designed and fabricated exclusively for the 1960-1972 Chevy Pick-Ups that the emergency brake cable mounts to the cross member on the truck, not the frame. If the emergency brake cable mounts to the frame you will need the high mount truck cross member. Will correctly position a 700R4 Transmission into these pick-ups without having to modify the stock frame when the engine is mounted in the factory position. Designed to allow, even very large diameter exhaust to be routed between the frame rails. Easy to install and best of all...It Bolts In! No guessing, no cutting, no cussin! It's a simple bolt-on operation, which produces a clean, professional result. It comes complete with a new rubber insulated transmission mount and 2 transmission mount-to-case bolts. Crossmembers come Powdercoated Black unless otherwise specified.

[70blackfish]

subscribed

[Howitzer]

This is why i purchased it. I'm done with cussin' and i want to be doing!

I guess we'll see what they say tomorrow.

[cdowns]

use drill and drill bits to solve problem

[Howitzer]

I'll probably end up doing that. Just cheezed i paid $175 for nothing when i could have just used the TH400 crossmember and achieved the same results with a stronger crossmemember that ties in the top and bottom of the frame rails instead of just the bottom.

[WIDESIDE72]

I just used my stock TH350 crossmember when I swapped to a 700r4 and I think some of the holes lined up, but some needed to be drilled. My dad took care of it while we had the cab off so Im not sure...

[danheit]

What are you doing about the driveshaft? Getting a custom one made, cutting yours, or moving the engine forward?

[Howitzer]

It's a 2 piece right now. I'll price out a one piece custom build and a shorten/re balance on the front piece and go from there. I like the flexibility of the 2 piece, seems like it can handle a bit more.

[Hubscrub]

send that sucker back, I just fabed a cross member for my swap, or use your old one
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[MARKDTN]

Had the same kind of issue with a Corvette crossmember from them. They look great though. Shipping would probably hurt to send it back. I'd just drill and move on.

[Howitzer]

So I called them and this is what i got. Said they would take it back if it's not what i'm after, Kudos to them! They did mention that a TH400 stock in my truck was not usual for it, being a 1/2 ton and a 402. As for no holes for the cross member location he said maybe i had a weird frame or something. At the end of the day i'm not really any further ahead. I might try and find the long 700R4 Tail Housing and bolt on back to my original cross member.

[LEEVON]

Well they're wrong about the TH400. Don't change tail housings just because of the crossmember. I have the CPP version, had to drill 4 holes, paid like $50? Bam, done. The stockers make it hard to get your trans pan off and also to run exhaust.

[Howitzer]

What should I do about the parking brake cables that are mounted to the cross member?

[Captainfab]

It could be that, that crossmember would be a bolt in installation if the 700R4 was bolted to a small block. The big block motor mounts are a little rearward of where the small block motor mounts are located.

I would just drill some holes and be done.