Ready to start 5 speed swap on 69 Charger

[Ductman]

The UGLY!

The Ugly-:angryfire: Well,Im not sure where to start! The first thing is WTF is up with speedometer cable! That's not going to happen. No way to clear support to get that cable hooked up. I ran a new cable that came with kit,just can't use it. But wait there is more! As I scratch my head and try not to lose it,I notice the crossmember and mount don't line up.The mount is not right or the crossmember is wrong WTF! I have 2 mounts with the kit. One bolts to trans but not to crossmember the other Doesn't fit trans or crossmember.now Am I missing something like the right parts?:shruggy: Check out pics.

 

[Ductman]

What do I have? What do I need?

:banghead: I had to just cut out the lights and give it up for one day. That sucks no speedometer unless I cut tunnel support.
I called SST they have a block off plate for speedo.
SST looked up the part number on crossmember. It's made for a 69 Bbody but for a tremec TKO 600. That explains the offset bracket on crossmember.see pic.
I recognized The rubber Mt is for a 65-70 mustang top loader,included with kit.It fits nothing on this kit.Another mount with kit fits Chevy camaro.
He said I could order another crossmember and mount.
thats more $$$ and I still need a yoke and drive shaft. I can't take measuments for drive shaft to get it made till I get Trans bolted down in rear..Looks like trans needs to go up in rear see pic to get tail shaft as high as original 4 speed tail daft was.What to Do?I need time to think on it.

 

[HYRDGOON]

If you haven't read through 747's thread yet for installing the T56 it may be of some help for you. He ran into a lot of the same issues which now has me prepped for when mine gets done. I also have a speedo problem as my T56 doesn't have a VSS (those year vipers picked it up from the rear diff)

Here's the linke I'm sure it will help http://www.forbbodiesonly.com/moparforum/showthread.php?85042-Viper-T56-install

 

[Ductman]

Get on with it.

Thanks Hyrdgoon. Yeah I have checked out the post on the viper tranny.I have dug up any and everything on you tube and many forums over last few weeks on Keisler and hydralic clutches. I was most concerned with tunnel clearances at first. I'm disappointed in speedo and that I have wrong crossmember.Perfect fit my ottytrain2:!
I was able to make the crossmember work.I drilled holes for mount to avoid offset.I tried a couple different mounts.I tried a 96 mustang trans mount.Little to high in rear. I used Chevy mount with a 1/2 inch homemade spacer.There is no solution to speedo that I can see.I almost cut off the offset bracket on crossmember.It was not in the way so I left it.If this tranny turns out to be a P.O.S. I have option to go TKO without buying a $300 crossmember.

 

[Ductman]

I will say everything on front of trans fit as it was supposed to.Its the rear of trans where things were not so perfect.I got it in place now (waiting for speedo block off).
I can now measure for drive shaft. I have 56 3/4 inches from center of yoke on rear to tail of trans (no yoke in trans)More on that later.
I also connected clutch hose and bled air from system. You must bleed it one stroke at a time.
2 people
1-depress clutch pedal hold on floor
2-open bleeder air bubbles and fluid come out.
3-close bleeder
4-release pedal
Refill resevore
Repeat 4 or 5 times
Clutch pedal is firm and works. I can see it push fingers in on pressure plate.
It works great that's a relief!:whew:

 

[Ductman]

I got a few parts in today from SST.The clutch dust cover,man it's thick metal,looks heavy duty.I tryed to put it on but the exhaust tube is in the way.I heated up the tube to get some clearance.Spayed a little paint from a rattle can. It looks good.The hardware was included. I got the speedo block off too.

- - - Updated - - -

Need New Drive Shaft- This trans uses a 31 spline slip yoke.On my rear is a 7290 yoke.Do I go 1330 with a hybrid joint from 1330 to 7290 in rear.?Do I go 1350 and change yoke on rear to 1350? Money is always a concern. Is it better to spend the $ and go 1350 for a stronger set up?Do I save a few dollars and go with 1330 in front and a bastard joint in rear? What do you guys think?

- - - Updated - - -

See Pics

 

[hunt2elk]

I just ordered a new driveshaft from Cass @ Dr. Differential for my Road Runner. His recommendation was to go with 1350 joints if going with a new shaft, so I did. He doesn't much care for the combo joints. He also sells some real nice rear pinion yokes that use u-bolts instead of clamps - they are quite resonably priced too imo. Hope you get your rear tranny mounting squared away without too much hassle.

 

[747mopar]

I feel for ya, my TKO 600 install pissed me off so bad I only drove it 15 minutes and sold it (hope yours not being a TKO brings you better luck). My issue like I mentioned before was the tail shaft was way low causing all kinds of issues (can't believe Keisler thought it was a good practice to fubar our Mopars) and then the tranny itself shifted like a truck on top of that. From what I've read your tranny should shift allot better so just keep after it and get it right the first time. Good luck

 

[Ductman]

Check out the barn find!

Not much going on with my project while I wait for parts.Its off topic but You guys will like this.While working on a job today I saw two Roadrunners sitting under a shed. Guy said they weren't for sale. He hoped to restore them one day. I took a couple pics. I love to see old cars.

 

[Ductman]

Drive Shaft-
I shopped around. Compared prices and parts. You guys are right -do it right the first time.I'm going with 1350 and ordered yokes from Denny's driveline. Supposed to be here later today. After I install yokes and measure,driveshaft can be made locally. Total cost of yokes $245 .3 inch dia steel driveshaft w/ solid spicer 1350 joints $150.
Shifter-
When I first started,I mistakenly ordered a new 70 console shifter handle from passion. (Wrong for my t45)He told me Hurst discontinued this one again ($400).The kit came with a short pistol grip(wrong for Bbody). Now,I ordered another pistol Grip from Hurst.A 70 non console stick. ($245).That's the stick I need to clear dash and allow use of my console.It also takes a special adaptor for shifter.($80)That is on order from SST.
When the parts start rolling in I can get back to work. Hope to soon be burning rubber Instead of credit cards.

 

[Overdrives]

Thanks Hyrdgoon. Yeah I have checked out the post on the viper tranny.I have dug up any and everything on you tube and many forums over last few weeks on Keisler and hydralic clutches. I was most concerned with tunnel clearances at first. I'm disappointed in speedo and that I have wrong crossmember.Perfect fit my ottytrain2:!
I was able to make the crossmember work.I drilled holes for mount to avoid offset.I tried a couple different mounts.I tried a 96 mustang trans mount.Little to high in rear. I used Chevy mount with a 1/2 inch homemade spacer.There is no solution to speedo that I can see.I almost cut off the offset bracket on crossmember.It was not in the way so I left it.If this tranny turns out to be a P.O.S. I have option to go TKO without buying a $300 crossmember.

That crossmember looks to be for a TKO or a different body and I've attached a photo of the proper B body RS crossmember. The speedo port location was a bad deal from the start and the final revision moved it to the driver's side. We do not have any of these unfortunately.

We also have the proper pistol grip handle with console adapter if you can't make something work.

 

[Ductman]

Thanks Overdrives for checking out the thread,I really appreciate the input. The crossmember in pic looks perfect.I was able to make crossmember fit but I need the correct rubber Mount between tail shaft and crossmember. Is that available?

 

[Overdrives]

Thanks Overdrives for checking out the thread,I really appreciate the input. The crossmember in pic looks perfect.I was able to make crossmember fit but I need the correct rubber Mount between tail shaft and crossmember. Is that available?

Absolutely, give Ben a call and he can get everything set up for you.

 

[Ductman]

Waiting on more parts deliverys

:3gears:Some parts showed up today on UPS. pistol grip shifter handle and yokes.

 

[Ductman]

Little bit mo !

Yokes are here-Now to measure for drive shaft length.I swapped out the rear yoke with a 1 1/8 in socket to remove pinion nut.Old yoke popped right off,but it took a few love taps to get new yoke to slide on to pinion. The trans yoke fit like a glove. Slid it in back of transmission till it bottomed out.Then slid it back out 1 inch.Next ,with car sitting normal stance on the ground measured from center of front U joint to center of rear U joint. 54 inches. Car can NOT be jacked up for this. If measured while it was on lift it was 53 1/2 inches.
So I called the drive shaft shop -54 inch it is.
I got a pic of all 3 pistol grip handles.
I ordered the 1st one for a console car like mine.(not right for swap)Then the 2nd short handle came with the kit it's not right for Bbody. 3rd order is a Long nonconsole handle.Correct for my console 5speed swap.(I hope).

 

[Ductman]

Waiting on parts/driveshaft!

Stuff I can do meanwhile-I used a suction gun to add fluid to trans.SST recommended mercon/dextron III automatic trans fluid.The yoke is in rear of trans but,I should wait till DShaft is installed to avoid fluid running out.
Na'
I put everything together and fired up the engine.Not for a road test ,but Remember the flywheel and that balance thing.Well Its smooth as can be I'm happy to report.:jerk:One less thing to worry about.
I popped lens with 5sp pattern on to new handle.
I pulled out an old pair of slapper bars.What the hell.I loved the way they looked back in the day.A fresh coat of flat black and bolted them bad boys on. I know they aren't caltracs but they give it a little BAD Attitude!thefinger

 

[Dennis H]

I use the Garmin for road speed.

 

[Ductman]

That's a good idea to use gps for speedo or it could be "Oh No sir Officer- UH -I had no idea I was doing 90 mph!" Lol
If more parts show up today,I may try to tackle that speedo hook up. The speedo gear itself or the plug is going in the hole on tranny my friend.I got a few ideas but just have to dig in and see if I can make it work. Will post some more of it pics later today.:icon_thumright:

 

[Riverdawg]

Great thread. I wanted to switch from the 727 to a 4 or 5 speed someday. So I'll make sure to research and review these threads again when I get closer to that. Good luck with getting it buttoned up. Look forward to seeing it finished.

 

[Ductman]

Parts showed up!

The adaptor for shifter and speedo gear came today from SST. Looks like I can get busy this afternoon.:toothy10: