TKO 500 Install - 1966 Coronet - SST Kit

[watermelon]

cutted n gutted the 727 console shift bracket

maybe i forgot to mention that i am aiming to keep the center shift console if possible....mostly for the cupholders...but more importantly, just so that it continues to rattle like hell when i am out driving


anyhow...some random pics of the what i cut and some measurements....just in case i want to go back to the 727 this summer


watermelon

 

[Kern Dog]

Smart move, being careful with the removal of the brackets. I like that you measured and recorded the positions.
Thank you for posting the progress. This will surely help someone that follows you with a similar swap. That could actually be me one day. I have considered this swap. It sure would be great to have faster acceleration and better mileage.
I didn't understand your reference to a trans cooler. I've never heard of a manual trans using a fluid cooler.

 

[rebel513r]

Smart move, being careful with the removal of the brackets. I like that you measured and recorded the positions.
Thank you for posting the progress. This will surely help someone that follows you with a similar swap. That could actually be me one day. I have considered this swap. It sure would be great to have faster acceleration and better mileage.
I didn't understand your reference to a trans cooler. I've never heard of a manual trans using a fluid cooler.

you can add an internal pump to a t56 or use a tr6060 like the vetts already have this
https://shop.bowlertransmissions.com/products/t-56-magnum-pump-upgrade

 

[watermelon]

thanks Rebel513r...I’m going cooler-less

it’s the TKO i am installing. solid web research says no cooler needed also probably no easy way to do on the tko


watermelon

 

[watermelon]

pics of the template from silver sport on what part of tunnel hump to cut. i am going to stay well within lines and remove the least amount of metal that i need to



watermelon

 

[watermelon]

ok...gonna need some fine tuning on this over the next few days. tried to see how far the tko would get up in there but it didn’t go far



watermelon

 

[watermelon]

i guess i forgot to toss in some pics of my initial spot checks of how the 440/727 positioning was before i started this project

i used some rod and marked points on the firewall of how the engine was lined up relative to the firewall. my thought was if i can get the 440/tko combo lined up the same then my driveline is where it needs to be

i actually measured driveline angles before the project started with a meter but cannot find pics

anyhow...tossing in pics of measurements/markings for reference


watermelon

View attachment 892527 View attachment 892528

 

[Kern Dog]

ok...gonna need some fine tuning on this over the next few days. tried to see how far the tko would get up in there but it didn’t go far.

Was there a fitment problem? I thought that the top of the case was notched to clear the arch of the torsion bar crossmember.

 

[watermelon]

no fitment problems...the case is notched for the arch

test fit going ok...maybe a little more trimming




watermelon

 

[watermelon]

goin slow - these types of projects let you use almost every tool in the shed

fitting up the sheetmetal for the hump. it will be covered with the console in the end but it just doesn’t jump on there by itself and say “im done”



watermelon

 

[Kern Dog]

The tunnel opening is bigger than I thought. Thanks for the update. I'm still considering this swap.

 

[Kern Dog]

Hey man.....Where are the updates?

 

[watermelon]

had to go back to the drawing board on my tunnel hump patchwork. wasnt happy with the way it was turning out. will get back on it soon.


watermelon

 

[Kern Dog]

It has almost been a month, man!

 

[watermelon]

more fitting up of the sheetmetal for the tunnel hump version 2

cant wait to get over this hump...almost there


watermelon

 

[Kern Dog]

At this rate, you'll be done by July 4th.....2025!

 

[watermelon]

you can probably tell I’ve almost perfected Social Distancing if you have not received a phone call from me

anyhow...still in the tunnel hump biz...just making templates and forming...hope to weld and seal up soon


enuff about me....what’s your toilet paper situation looking like?




watermelon

 

[watermelon]

finished up the tunnel hump. laying down some sound/heat mat.



watermelon

 

[Will-Fonkjam]

Watermelon, I didn't fully realize that you were currently going though many of the same challenges and pains as I was with my TKO install in March! I saw and was encouraged that both you and Kern Dog followed my progress, but I didn't think much beyond it being just general Mopar hobbyist admiration. I gotta say.. both your vision and ambitions are awesome!
You're pretty good at manipulating sheet metal too! I'm following.

 

[watermelon]

more laying down of material. this car will be carrying an extra 25 pounds of sound deadening and insulation materials



watermelon