53 3100 - complete rebuild and upgrade . . . .

[big_dan]

Continuing on with the firewall and starting pedal / booster mockup. Still more "details" in the works for the firewall, but that'll be later on. Should have transmission and clutch master cylinder in place before long. Moving forward - thanks for looking -

Dan

[Chris(NJ)]

One heck of a build! Very nice, sir!

[big_dan]

Thank you sir. Went up to American Powertrain and picked up the TKX this morning, so as soon as the firewall is done trans is next. More later -

Dan

Originally Posted by Chris(NJ)

One heck of a build! Very nice, sir!

[e015475]

Contemplating a Tremec upgrade for my '49. (Have a Camaro WC T5 I'll probably end up selling to the in-liner guys)

Why did you choose the TKX over the TKO or the T56? What are you going to do for a bellhousing?

Very interested to see how this comes together for you. Lots of photos and details please!

[big_dan]

The TKX had a more stream lined case that should help with fitment. The TKO500/600 are almost square in cross- section. The T56 is huge! I just don't want much, if any, of a tunnel. Using a steel quick time bell. Thanks -

Dan

Originally Posted by e015475

Contemplating a Tremec upgrade for my '49. (Have a Camaro WC T5 I'll probably end up selling to the in-liner guys)

Why did you choose the TKX over the TKO or the T56? What are you going to do for a bellhousing?

Very interested to see how this comes together for you. Lots of photos and details please!

[e015475]

Yea, they said that the TKX gearset loads from the back making for a slimmer case. I have a custom tunnel for the T5 and hoping it won't need to be modified.

Pics as you do the install please!

[big_dan]

Finished the initial welding on the firewall so the cab could come off. Now I can work on pedals/ master cylinder and the transmission all at once to keep moving forward. Ordered some material to play around with lug nut ideas also.

Slowly but surely -

Dan

[big_dan]

Enlisted the help of my oldest son and one of his buds to get the TKX mocked up. The trans mount centerline is about 2-1/4" closer to the engine and elevated a bit, so I'll get that adjusted and move on. Headers, etc all clear fine.

More later - thanks for looking -

Dan

[8man]

That looks really good Dan.

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by 8man

That looks really good Dan.

Thank you sir! So still getting the TKX situated. The difference between the trans mount with the 4L60E and TKX is about 3/4" in elevation and 2-7/16" between bolt centers. Drawing up an adapter plate/ bracket thingy in my head so I can swap back to an auto again if I ever want. Not sure if I'll just cantilever a plate forward or add a little more substance to it, but we'll figure it out. More later-

Dan

[dsraven]

hard to tell by the pics for your trans cross member, but on a build that I did I used a piece of stout flar bar welded onto the frame and the cross member was also built with a flat mount to match. the cross member could be moved fore and aft for whatever trans was installed.
is it just the pics or are your headers really close to the boxed frame?

[dsraven]

you could build a new cross member with a dog leg in it i suppose.

[big_dan]

dsraven- it would appear we think alike.

Started with 5×3/4 bar stock, "dog legs" and final machining should be done soon. The odd shape will explain itself when I'm finished. This way it all bolts in and I can run an auto when I get old ��. Headers are about an inch away. Thanks for looking -

Dan

[dsraven]

holy cow, thats gonna hold whatever you bolt in! do you plan on some weight reduction?

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

holy cow, thats gonna hold whatever you bolt in! do you plan on some weight reduction?

Definitely. It'll end up around 1/2".

Dan

[big_dan]

Here you go dsraven; a little weight reduction. Started at 3/4", now 0.550". Lots to go, this is just the start of course but I'm happy this far.

I re- read your question; the closest the headers are to the boxed frame is about 1/4" by the starter.

More later -

Dan

[8man]

That is nice, you should have done a video of you doing it.

[big_dan]

I don't know about a video, but thanks for the input. Still playing around with the trans bracket; more later. Thanks for looking -

Dan

[joedoh]

Originally Posted by big_dan

dsraven- it would appear we think alike.

Started with 5×3/4 bar stock, "dog legs" and final machining should be done soon. The odd shape will explain itself when I'm finished. This way it all bolts in and I can run an auto when I get old ��. Headers are about an inch away. Thanks for looking -



Dan

jeezealou that would dock a battleship


beautiful work!

[dsraven]

It's for anti vibration

[big_dan]

Originally Posted by dsraven

It's for anti vibration

No no no it's to not work backwards and have to re-do my other crossmember! It still has some weight to lose.

Dan

[big_dan]

Ok - took the boat out and fished the weekend, so I spent the afternoon trying to get the crossmember addition finished. The pads on the frame rails will be bolted, just not sure if I'll do a thru- bolt with a tube so it doesn't crush or just weld in a bung and drill/ tap it. Either way, it's almost done and only weighs 100 lbs. Or maybe 10? Not sure. Oh - yes,
the headers and H- pipe can still be removed with the addition installed. Thanks for looking -

Dan

[big_dan]

Measure twice, cut once etc, etc. Whittled out just enough to get the cab sitting back down, and I'm happy to say it laid out exactly as I'd hoped. If I didn't mind it being super tight I could get away with no tunnel, but I'll give it a little space. The shifter has multiple locations available too, so time to figure out seats also. Moving along -

Thanks for looking-

Dan

[8man]

Looking forward to the cover plate build.

[6DoF]

soooo ... can we just mount the throttle pedal to the back of the drivers side head?