Transmission Blankets..what do YOU run ?

[BigHemi]

If a grenade was going to explode about a foot away from my legs I want a big and bulky blanket around it.

I'd rather have the CSR shield than a blanket. I've already put one CSR shield to the test and it did a VERY good job.

 

[vitamin c]

I picked up a CSI shield for my small block 727 and sent it back after hearing you had to roll the tunnel seam. plus I really didn't want to shave off all the kickdown linkage attaching points etc. if I ever wanted to change it back (probably over thinking things) I figured that was the start of the problems of making it fit. I ended up putting on a stroud blanket and doing my best to keep it from hanging down. A friend of mine just put a JW performance SFI bell on a small block ford/powerglide, and he told me they also make them for 727/904's. Would that bell pass tech?? my guess is it would, but what does it do for the uncovered portions of the transmission? not much.

 

[theman440]

Mike - I have a CSR shield on my car and it fits nice with no floor mods, but you have to cut off the ears on the bellhousing. You have to put it in with the trans and the bellhousing bolts and spacers are a small hassle but otherwise not bad.

 

[hangn0ut]

Big Hemi,got any pics of the shield after the fact?

 

[HEMI-ITIS]

The top 3 bellhousing bolts are PITA.I think I will make holes to get to them with plugs to cover them.

 

[66Satellite47]

My Arrow came with a home made shield, it was a great fit. I eventually bought a CSI legal shield that clearly was designed for a Powerglide. The torfkflite failure is the front drum. The CSI covered the rear drum. I modified the CSI piece to cover the front drum area, but it still wasn't as good as the home made piece. Too bad many aftermarket manufactures don't really understand Mopars. But this was a long time ago.

 

[BigHemi]

Big Hemi,got any pics of the shield after the fact?

I had some, but I think I lost them on an old computer. The explosion happened back in 2008. The shield kept anything from coming through the floor. The trans came out of the car in 3 big pieces...the converter, the input shaft w/ the clutches hanging on it, and the tailshaft housing. The main part of the case, the valvebody and pan, front drum, and the bellhousing shattered and got swept up off the track.
The shield was damaged and not reusable, but it definitely did it's job.

 

[Mike Gaines]

Mike - I have a CSR shield on my car and it fits nice with no floor mods, but you have to cut off the ears on the bellhousing. You have to put it in with the trans and the bellhousing bolts and spacers are a small hassle but otherwise not bad.

Thanks for the info on 66's

 

[gtxracer]

I use the CSR shield in my GTX. It is a difficult piece to install. The kickdown linkage boss has to be removed and the casting ears as well. It is more expensive than blankets but if you grenade the trans, it is nice to have.

 

[Wookie316]

Just finished fitting the CSR shield in my 71 B Body. The lip between the floor and the firewall has to be removed. The supplied 12 point bolts have to be shortened a 1/4". Must be designed for a mid plate? With the RMS front end, access to top bolts was easy because the engine will tilt lots. A stock K frame could be a challenge though. The dipstick bracket has to be modified and bent to fit. This was the hardest bolt to get started. PATIENCE IS KEY! The shield clears the tunnel almost. The belt buckle hits on the P/S. A guy could fix that with a couple 4 pound hammer blows. The strap setup is a bit goofy as the shift lever pushes into it in P & R. But I don't think it's going to be a huge deal. I had to modify the supplied bolt on belt bracket that mounts to the pan rail because it contacted my headers. I use the Dougs D452's. Overall I am impressed and feel safe now that it is between me and the Trans. If you want to retain the stock floor then it is by far worth the money.

 

[dvw]

62-65 B-body has a small tunnel. Couple that with the motor being moved back at all. The aluminum shield is a tough fit. You will have the hammer out for more than the flange. Blanket holds heat on the street . My sons cars ran two coolers, still hot. Not mention if you have a leaks it's a wick waiting to light. Blanket installs easy, pull the 4 cross member bolts , tilt the trans down, install the straps at the top two bell housing bolts, jack the trans up, tighten the straps. Been down this trail too many times. Now I always cut the tunnel.
Doug

 

[Mike Gaines]

Installed a JEG'S Blanket

I purchased a JEG'S brand of Trans Blanket. It is 114.99 and is SFI approved.

It fit fine except the straps could have been about 5" longer to make the install much easier.
We took out the trans crossmember and let the rear of the trans drop down about 3" on a jack.
That gave us room to pull the blanket over the transmission.
The blanket cleared the headers just fine (Hooker 1 7/8 Super Comps) and didnt interfere with the shifter cable ( I have a front exit Hurst Pistol Grip Quarter Stick shifer).
All in all it is a clean install and I can pass inspection and feel a little better about safety but if I had the trans/motor out of the car I would definitely spend the money for a CSI.

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DVW...Great Job on the tunnel modification !