79 4 cyll to 8 trans X member dont fit...

[5ptslow]

Car was a 4 cylinder auto trans 79 putting in a t5. The width of the trans cross member is about 1 1/2" to short to fit the member from my 90. This is where the member bolts to frame. Do i have to take out the old brackets or is there something i can do to the bushing. Like cut the bushings shorter?

[wraithracing]

The 79-81 cars used a different transmission cross member that is narrow at the bushings than the 82-93 models. That is why the 90 model doesn't fit at this moment.

You have two options, the first and easiest is to remove the bushings and inner sleeve, then cut the tack welds off the tubes where they are welded to the actual mount itself. That should allow you to remove the tubes from the actual mount. This will also allow you to adjust the mount slightly to fit the transmission properly. Now using a cutoff wheel, chop saw, bandsaw, etc. cut the tubes to the same length as the original cross member tubes. You will need to do the same for the inner sleeve or reuse the original. Install the bushings and inner sleeves and reuse your original mounting hardware. Mock the cross member into position and bolt it to the transmission. One placed properly, hit each tube with a small tack weld to set the position. Remove the cross member again and either place a couple of larger tack welds or completely weld the tubes to the cross member. Then reinstall and you are done.

The other option is to purchase the later model style transmission cross member body mounts and replace your existing body mounts. https://lmr.com/item/LRS-5059-BRKT/m...brackets-83-93 Now you can use your 90 cross member as is, although you may still need to slide the mount on the tubes after cutting the tack welds for proper positioning.

Personally I did option one on my 79 Pace Car and used the aftemarket poly bushing kit and it works just fine with my 2.3Turbo swapped to a 5.0/5spd setup. Good luck and hope that helps!

[Broncojunkie]

Stifflers makes a nice aftermarket tubular crossmember for the early cars. They're really nice (but probably unnecessary for most applications). I used one on my pace car and love it.

[at_the_junkyard]

Yes agreed on the 79-81 stifflers mount. Its a nice piece and fits my 80 perfect with the T5. I think it gives you a bit more room to route the exhaust pipes too if your going dual.

Also maybe you already know but going from 4 cyl and C4 to T5 your existing driveshaft will possibly/probably be a bit too long.

[5ptslow]

So in the end its not required to remove the brackets...thats good to hear. Ill look into the stifflers option before i cut my cross member.

ya im not using the 79 driveshaft...everything will be off a 90 doner

thx all for the info

[ThunderStruck]

I used a 93 cross member, I just cut off tabs an used 79 Bushings.
ed

[Basin Motorsports]

I also did tip #1 (cutting the v8 crossmember down) when I swapped a '92 drivetrain into my '80 chassis. I used a hacksaw and just cleaned up the cut edges with a file. Same bushings used too.

[82GTforME]

I also did tip #1 (cutting the v8 crossmember down) when I swapped a '92 drivetrain into my '80 chassis. I used a hacksaw and just cleaned up the cut edges with a file. Same bushings used too.

I did this also. Here are some visuals:

I had picked up a pair of double hump crossmembers a while ago off Kijiji. One was supposed to go in my '82 but I think it will be a bit before I am ready there

This one was the easier of the two to get the tacks cut on the bushing shells to modify it for the '79.


http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/82...lakc4.jpg.html

The '79 only had a narrow mount for the member. 2-3/4" compared to 4-1/2".



http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/82...4ouap.jpg.html
http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/82...ahizi.jpg.html

I cut the tacks, moved the shells all the way in and cut the excess off. All they need is to be re-tacked.



http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/82...evsmt.jpg.html
http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/82...qjl2j.jpg.html

I cut the sleeves down to 2-3/4" and then I can use the same rubber bushings that came with it. It should fit like a glove!


http://s1337.photobucket.com/user/82...zzsrm.jpg.html

[5ptslow]

Cool thanks all for the info.