63 C-10 350 auto and parking brake question

[Tool Maker]

Ok so I have a 63 and I have this weird dilemma going on. I ordered the CPP transmission mount to go on this truck to fix a jerry rig that my dad did many moons ago. It was hanging on by one bolt and the rubber mount was broken almost in half. But what gets me is that he had welded a tab on the BACK of the brake crossmember, drilled two holes, and then bolted up the transmission.

So the real question is how does the ebrake member work in correlation to the CPP crossmember? Am I required to convert to the 66 mechanism? Can I move the old ebrake cross member back or forwards out of the way of the CPP mount? I see there are holes in the frame but idk what to do. Also, am I really supposed to remove the bell housing crossmember? Im used to working on imports and Im trying to go from a Corolla to daily driving this truck.

And before somebody says I need to search, I have searched for hours upon hours and I can't find anybody talking about these two particular subjects in one thread. Thanks for the help!

[MikeN]

I am planning to swap my 64 to a TH350, but haven't done it yet. From my research, I think YES on removing the bell housing cross member, and YES on converting to the 66 e-brake set up. I'm most concerned about the e-brake...haven't found photos or a diagram that will describe all the little hooks and fittings I'll need to pull off the 66 install.

[Tool Maker]

Yea I am not too terribly fond of doing any sort of conversion to make it work proper. I need to know what to do about retaining the current ebrake setup without custom making anything. And doing something custom wont be hard for me since Im a machinist.

[1963c-10]

I just installed the same crossmember in my 63 behind a big block. I moved my engine forward an 1", which allowed me to bolt the CPP crossmember forward of the ebrake crossmember. It was so close in fact I was able to use the forward two holes of the ebrake crossmember for the rear holes on the CPP crossmember. I had to shim with a grade 8 washer in the front holes on the CPP mount to allow it to sit level. I'll attach a pic and can take more if needed.

Other alternative is to find a factory auto crossmember which has the ebrake assembly attached to it, unlike the manual crossmember which is different.

[1963c-10]

The CPP mount I installed, you can see where I ground out the 2 forward rivets and bolted it down with grade 8 bolts to the ebrake crossmember.

And a factory auto crossmember with the ebrake assembly.

[Tool Maker]

Could I adjust the cables in a way that I can move it backwards about an inch?

[1963c-10]

Originally Posted by Tool Maker

Could I adjust the cables in a way that I can move it backwards about an inch?

It would be close, but I think you will only find about an 1" of threads left on the ebrake handle cable once its installed. I have a new cable sitting in the frame but not hooked up yet. I'll go out tonight and see what kinda room I have left on the threaded end of the cable once its installed.


Worse case you may just have to lengthen the bracket on the ebrake crossmember that accepts the cable an inch or so.

[Tool Maker]

Awesome. I'll try and take some pics later so yall can see exactly how bad I have it lol