Any tips and tricks from any who have done this,i just got my new transmission.

 

Get out the cut off wheel and start cutting lol! I mated the trans to a bare block that i had and installed the engine and trans into the car. I then lifted the trans up till the shifter hit the floor, marked where it touched, then drilled a hole big enough for the shifter to go through. I kept lifting, dropping the trans down, and cutting small amounts at a time till the trans fit with the cross member in. I got my trans from Hurst Driveline and it came with a generic sheet metal patch that i cut and formed to fit, then welded it in. All i had to do to the cross member was drill 2 new holes in the frame, but yours is a convertible so that might be different.

 

Yeah, 68-72 A bodies require tunnel cutting. If you have not bought it yet, Keislers new 700 is supposed to clear bit I've heard wait time is several months, if not longer.
A Richmond 5 or 6 speed is supposed to clear, but I've heard the handle is tight in 70-72 center console applications. Other nice thing is the Richmond 6 speed is available in about a dozen different ratios and you reuse your driveshaft.

 

He already has the TKO600

 

Oops.....return it???
Got busy reading your reply, forgot that part.

 

Already bought it,keisler was an 8 month wait,what i was told.I put in a brand new 200R4 last year,what a disappointment could never get it set up right.When it comes out it will go up on the auction block.Looking forward to next summer.Got a few parts to round up before i can start.

 

Anyone have any pics of how much of the tunnel they had to cut?

 

 

Nice work. Do you have pics with interior installed?

 

Interior isn't in yet.

 

Little more than i thought guess plasma cutter going to be my friend lol

 

Do you have a console ? Wonder if i have to buy the tunnel hump,the one for the four speed they remake them but are they required?

 

Yes i have a console, and i had to cut the bottom skirt to make it fit over the new hump. Since mine was originally an auto car, i was fine with the shifter coming straight up through the tunnel. If you were even able to use the factory 4 speed floor hump, i think you would then have to buy an offset shifter as well.

 

Since the shifter is centered I don't think a 4 speed hump is necessary..just find a boot to finish the install.

 

I bought the offset shifter,so i guess i might as well get the hump mine was an original auto as well but i want the console

 

The shifter handle could be a challenge to fabricate, Keisler used my drawings to modify the shifter stub for my original factory shifter handle. Keisler installed a Tremec in an Olds and used a center mount shifter, and a Hurst aftermarket handle through the console.

 

The shifter comes right up through the center of my console, with no 4 speed hump.

 

I just went out and took a pic of the console in the car. Don't mind the rear of the console, i dropped it and it smashed. There's a little bit more cutting to do to the base of the console but i might as well wait till i get a new base.

 

Is it just me or does the shifter set farther ahead than the automatic shifter?If so do i have to get new woodgrain inserts for a manual transmission?

 

Yes it does sit forward, flip your console over and you can see where to cut the console for the manual location. So yes the wood grain will be different size

 

Any one have an opinion on this flywheel?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/OLDSMOBILE-O...272e0d&vxp=mtr

 

Oldzzy what did you use for a shift stick?How much is it laid back?

 

Almost ready to start the conversion got all my parts today except for the flywheel should have that early next week.I will post some pics when i get closer.

 

Just an update on that flywheel i asked if anyone had an opinion on,lol it came today 153 tooth chev 10.5 in clutch do not buy this,miss listed defineltly not an olds now i am back looking for a flywheel

 

If it applies, my tko 600 fit without cutting in my 70 442 4spd car.
American powertrain whte lightening offset shifter.
However I had to bend the inside of the hump some....

 

Kewl good info to know,thats where i got my tko 600 thought i had everything today but got screwed on the flywheel now i have to find another

 

Find an OEM flywheel,
Just my .02

 

Finally got my sfi Flywheel and my new centerforce clutch fits have all the parts gathered up now almost ready to start.Now if i had the 64 ford shortwheel based stepside off my hoist i would be good to go.Restoring other cars makes it hard to work on my own.

 

Goodbye slightly used new 200R4 RIP or in someone elses car lol

 

Looking forward to next update...

 

Who built your 200r4? Someone local to you or one of the bigger companies?
Thanks
Steve

 

Had it built was a full race with all the good stuff ,never liked the way it shifted from day one and not from spending good money on it.If i had to guess not any more than 1000 miles on it.My wife said to bad it wasnt a standard sooooo.I ordered trans from Florida,shiftworks kit for shifter,hughes oil pan,new dipstick,new cable,had to put a tci lockup solenoid within 200 miles old one locked up and would not release.Wish i had put the extra money into the tremec the first time.Car was off the road for 13 years give or take really wanted to enjoy the summer with it had it to a couple of car shows.I restore cars and dont have time to play with mine as much as i like so i like to do it once.Last winter i did a 1929 international 1 ton from the frame up only to be damaged in a huricane and had to redo it lol and in the progress of doing a 74 comet GT,1970 Galaxy Xl and a 64 Ford short wheel based stepside.Only one of me in my shop so i like to fix things once.I just dont have the time to tweak and screw with 200r4 shifter out of adjustment,shift points changed,then i had an oil leak.

 

Put the man pedal in today Of course my crank wasnt drilled for the pilot bearing All drilled now going to start cutting floor tommorow and fitting transmission,think i am going to order hydraulic clutch setup

 

Would you explain how you went about drilling the crank? I assume the engine is under the hood? Thx

 

I drilled the crank with a $3000 magnetic drill,while close i would not trust it is perfect i am going to try the conversion bearing,if i have any trouble then i may try the brass bushing.Once the magnets are energized it dosnt move and is square to the crank on the flywheel.With the cutters a buddy of mine had it cut like butter hard part was not wanting to bore to far.I have a nice clean hole that i can still cut on a lathe but big enough not to interfere with my pilot shaft as i didnt want to cut it.Next step to see what i have to do to my floor and install factory hump.I have been plowing snow all day so little done today and with new years on us might be a few days i will keep posting.

 

I friend of mine went through two separate TKO's one was TKO 500 and the other was the TKO 600. Both would not speed shift into third. Linkage was properly adjusted and would shift fine during normal operation, but missed 3rd every time at the track. He has since went to a T5, knowingly a weaker transmission. Has flogged it several times and has yet to scatter it. Hopefully no one will have these issues as Tremac was not so helpful with the issue. Some interesting reading if you google "TKO 600 3rd shift"

 

I was reading on that,some did some didnt but when i questioned them about it they said unless i was going to 6000 or 6500 would not have that problem.To late now spent my money take my chances i guess.

 

Yeah he was spinning the 392 up around 6k when it wouldn't go into 3rd. Hopefully you won't have any issues. Otherwise he praised the transmission for its overdrive and everywhere except for the track.

 

Well just got done painting floor top and bottom,yes i had to cut my floor.Hope this tranny works good after all the work it took to cut,fabricate and weld.After seam sealer and paint it not as impressive as pretty much an unmolested floor.Hydraulic clutch not supposed to be here till tuesday so i guess assembly will be a day or two away.

 

Anyone install a hydraulic clutch with pics like to have something to reference.Have to fabricate a spacer plate between transmission and bell housing dont have enough gap between the throw out bearing and my centerforce clutch.