ms442

I have a question I am hoping to get some insight on. I am currently looking to replace my single hump transmission crossmember in my 1977 Olds Cutlass 442 with one off a A body 73-74 that has a dual hump crossmember in order to get dual exhaust installed. Has anyone had issues with the parking brake cables and getting them up and out of the way? Trying to see if i need to fab some brackets similar to the ones on my OE crossmember to keep them up off the exhaust. Also wondering if anyone had a X pipe or H pipe on their dual system or if I need to scrap that idea with clearance issues possibly.

deadeyejedi

i have done this to my car and had no issues .my original ebrake retainers hook into the frame rails not the crossmember.it does kinda ride along the top of the drivers side hump but, does not affect the operation .all the mounting holes lined up perfectly with no drilling or issues.

rob1960

x2 I put the dual hump crossmember on my girlfriends '76 Salon & everything fit fine. Had my local muffler shop bend up stock style front pipes. The guy did a great job,he used 2 1/4" pipes on both sides(350s have a 2" outlet on the drivers side). He was able to "squeeze" the pipe down a bit on the drivers side so it fit the drivers side perfectly. I didn't want to use headers on her car so I bought a set of pre-cat manifolds off of ebay & used a repop block-off plate on the rh manifold just like Olds did for factory 350 duals

ms442

Appreciate the responses. My stock crossmember has 2 hooks that are welded onto it that hold the brake cable up away from the exhaust pipe on the passenger side. It also has a frame rail hook that holds it out of the way like deadeyjedi mentioned. I think i can fab those up pretty easy if I end up needing them. I plan on keeping the stock manifolds as this car is original with 63,000 miles. I obviously know dual exhaust is not stock but the dual hump crossmember will look more stock than aftermarket ones. Now to just get my hands on a 73-74 crossmember.

76olds

I had mine cut with a plate added when I switched to 2 1/2 duals on my 76.
Worked out well if you will be getting an exhaust shop to install your duals.
Just a thought, here is a photo for consideration.

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