Tremec TKX 5 Speed Transmission Installation

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

The complete kit with everything and I mean everything needed from Silver Sport was $6500.00. The one addition not included was a spacer plate to set the correct hydraulic throwout bearing clearance. Not every install needs this but mine did.
Well done PJ 1st class job you've done!

My setup cost about $1500 less than that, including a new driveshaft, since I used an original bellhousing and mechanical clutch linkage I got for next to nothing out of a '67 C20 at the wrecking yard. Also, I bought just about everything from Summit because Silver Sport charges a lot for shipping. I did order the mechanical speedo adapter from Silver Sport, and they charged $22.24 to ship that little part.

[MySons68C20]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

My setup cost about $1500 less than that, including a new driveshaft, since I used an original bellhousing and mechanical clutch linkage I got for next to nothing out of a '67 C20 at the wrecking yard. Also, I bought just about everything from Summit because Silver Sport charges a lot for shipping. I did order the mechanical speedo adapter from Silver Sport, and they charged $22.24 to ship that little part.

That sounds about right. I had to order the bellhousing because I went from a 700R4 to the TKX.
Oddly enough the 1 piece driveline I used with the 700R4 was an exact fit to the Tremec.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

That sounds about right. I had to order the bellhousing because I went from a 700R4 to the TKX.
Oddly enough the 1 piece driveline I used with the 700R4 was an exact fit to the Tremec.

That's convenient. The length of the TKX + bellhousing is within about 1/4" of the length of the 700R4. I had a two-piece driveshaft with 1310 u-joints. I had already replaced the center support bearing twice, so I decided to simplify things and go with a one-piece driveshaft and went with bigger u-joints while I was at it.

[pjmoreland]

I just realized I never tested the new wiring for the reverse lights, so I went and checked them. They work.

[MySons68C20]

Nice and bright good grounds!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

Nice and bright good grounds!

This grounding strap I added to the rear cross sill of the bed can't hurt.

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I just realized I never tested the new wiring for the reverse lights, so I went and checked them. They work.

I wanna hear more about that volt meter...

[MySons68C20]

I had to ground the tailight cans to the bed to get the rears working properly.
You can't have too many grounds imho!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

I wanna hear more about that volt meter...

Since you asked, here you go:

https://youtu.be/bI4oaCpElOU

If you watch closely, you'll notice that I forgot to press in the clutch the first time I tried cranking the engine. So now it has already served its purpose. It's gonna take a while for me to get used to it.

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Since you asked, here you go:

https://youtu.be/bI4oaCpElOU

If you watch closely, you'll notice that I forgot to press in the clutch the first time I tried cranking the engine. So now it has already served its purpose. It's gonna take a while for me to get used to it.

Won't take long, after about the 3rd try, muscle memory will kick in and you'll do fine....

[pjmoreland]

One remaining step of this project is to replace the automatic steering column with a floor shift version. I have a tilt column that I have started rebuilding. I disassembled and painted it this evening. There is a plastic ring that mounts at the bottom end of the housing and supports the lower bearing. This piece is cracked, so I ordered a replacement from classicparts.com. I think that is going to be the only part that needs to be replaced. The bearings were quite dirty, but they feel smooth now that I've cleaned them. I'd rather have old originals than new from questionable sources.

[pjmoreland]

A couple more column photos

[RustyPile]

Be careful you don't get any overspray on any of them bicycles..

BTW, did you get those mistakes in your voltmeter wiring corrected??

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by RustyPile

Be careful you don't get any overspray on any of them bicycles..

BTW, did you get those mistakes in your voltmeter wiring corrected??

I'm leaving them for the next owner to sort out

[pjmoreland]

Look at what just arrived

[pjmoreland]

Shifter is installed. Took it for a drive. I'm really happy with the way it turned out. I'll record a video later. The speedometer isn't working.

[MySons68C20]

Looks right at home nice!
I had a bit of clutch chatter with the Mcleod Super Street disc & pressure plate the first few miles but it is getting better now.
How is your engagement/chatter?

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

Looks right at home nice!
I had a bit of clutch chatter with the Mcleod Super Street disc & pressure plate the first few miles but it is getting better now.
How is your engagement/chatter?

Quiet and smooth, and even in reverse. Must be my cheap heavy flywheel

[pjmoreland]

I took a look at my speedo cable, and I think it wasn't engaged with the driven gear properly. I reattached it, spun my rear wheel by hand, and the speedo needle moved. Time for another test drive.

[pjmoreland]

The speedometer is working now, and it checked out against GPS. Here's an annoyingly low-quality video of the new transmission in action.

https://youtu.be/FQRVK4FXyFM

[Chevy nutcase]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

The speedometer is working now, and it checked out against GPS. Here's an annoyingly low-quality video of the new transmission in action.

https://youtu.be/FQRVK4FXyFM

Looks like a sweet setup and I can't wait to rip my sm420 out and get it to this stage. I felt like a little gemlin going for a ride lol 🤣👌

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by Chevy nutcase

Looks like a sweet setup and I can't wait to rip my sm420 out and get it to this stage. I felt like a little gemlin going for a ride lol 🤣👌

Haha. Yep. Too short to see the road

[RustyPile]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

Quiet and smooth, and even in reverse. Must be my cheap heavy flywheel

{sarcasm on} Well you musta done sumpin wrong.. All nu clutches are s'pose to clank and chatter.. It's probably the fault of that reproduction clutch rod you bought.. Take it all apart and wait for that rebuilt OEM rod to arrive.. The rebuilder told me he sent it out in Wednesday's mail... {sarcasm off}

[MySons68C20]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I took a look at my speedo cable, and I think it wasn't engaged with the driven gear properly. I reattached it, spun my rear wheel by hand, and the speedo needle moved. Time for another test drive.

Mine did the same only it was at the speedo connection. I had it apart at the same time don't remember why.
Mcleod says you have to go through something like 1000 shifts for it to break in.
I guess the full throttle burn out after the first 10 wasn't the right thing to do haha!
Congrats on a job well documented and well done!

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by MySons68C20

Mine did the same only it was at the speedo connection. I had it apart at the same time don't remember why.
Mcleod says you have to go through something like 1000 shifts for it to break in.
I guess the full throttle burn out wasn't the right thing to do haha!

Tremec also says to baby the transmission for the first 500 - 1000 miles. I guess I'll comply, but I don't want to