i just ordered the B&M torque arm bracket bracket (i think of it as a bracker for a bracket for a bracket)

how hard is it to install?

cuz i am probably going to mount the trans to the engine tomorrow, and then next week when the part comes, install that, the torque arm, bracket and i'll put the crossmember up next week...............

mainly i want to know if i can install the B&M part onto the trans while its in the car.......

thanx

 

Since it bolts to the four tailhousing bolts, You might want to
loosen them before you put the tranny in the car. I hope you are using a non-chevy tailhousing

 

I made the bottom part of this tool today, and attached it to my
low/reverse tool. It removes the snapring from the direct clutch
drum as is, but I use part of a Kent-Moore tool for the forward
clutch drum. The cost was about $2.00 for the bolts and spacers

 

9 inch

 

So how hard is it to change the tailshaft from a 6 to a 9? I have the th350 with a 6" housing and I know I will need a driveshaft around 3" longer. Can I change it to a 9" housing? If so, where would I get the parts to do so?

 

if your asking me, your asking the wrong person

i dont know jack about autos

i'm guess the output shaft would need to be changed too

 

LOL I guess we are in the same boat!..

 

You should'nt have a problem installing the bracket with the tranny installed. The kit supplies a stud to go in the lower left corner of the tail housing. Mounting the bracket is pretty straight forward. The instructions for mounting the t/a are a little sketchy. After determining which right side t/a bracket you have you the order the coresponding part # from GM that the directions say. At this point the directions make you think that you then bolt your existing right side t/a bracket to the new B&M bracket that's mounted on your trans. What I had to do was drill out the rivets that hold the rubber gromet to the rt side bracket and use only the gromet to mount to the B&M bracket. There are holes already drilled in the bracket for this. (the directions don't tell you this part). You then take your new GM left side piece and it hinges together to secure the t/a. Sounds confusing, but once you look at it you'll see what I mean. I had my old tranny already out already and took 2-2.5 hours and my son and I had it running.
Have fun !

 

It may be easier to get a driveline out of an older TH200 car. It's the right length and everything for the 6" tailshaft. Worked on mine

 

I just swappped in my new th350 and 3500 stall today, i bought the hurst bracket from a fellow member here and the whole change over was as painless if not one of the easiest swaps i've ever done. I was fortante enough to find a long tail to have rebuilt so i was a step ahead from the word go, if anyone wondered the 350 long tail (9") is actually 1/2" shorter than the 700r4 but that's not enough to be alarmed. Had to finagle the lines of course as the factory bends and the bends i needed were kinda in the same spot at different angles but i got er. Tranny guy told me they do sell a kit for the short tail 350 where they can install a longer output shaft and new tailshaft housing, said it was like $60 for the change over, cheaper than new drive shaft so it might be something to check into. My car has 3.42 posi and the first thing i noticed after the swap was not being slapped into the seat on launch like the steep 1st gear in the 700 did and of course a longer period before shifting into second. Still fully extended the front end and took the slicks half way to the rim though. I will say this, the car pulls at a stronger, more consistent rate all the way through the rpm band, and esspesially from a roller now. The thing that threw us all off was i had to up the timing alot. Yes the motor acts & sounds totally different with the new tranny (alot less weight and rotating mass) my best times were with the timing set at 26 degrees total advance, no ****, with the 700r4. anymore or less and it fell on it's face. After the swap, first run down the street was disappointing at best, upped the timing to 35 degrees and wow, that bitch took off. Was running 14.0-14.1's and 1.86 shorties with the 700r4 and i'm hoping with the new tranny and bigger stall i'll be mid 13's, won't know till Sat. at the races, don't even have time to TT the thing.

 

Your question might have been answered by now, but i want to say my two cents. I used the B&M bracket and had to modify the bracket, and the torque arm mount. Not to hard, but i would have rathered not. I had to drill the rivets on the mount and drill ne holes for it in the bracket. also to swap a 6" inch housing to a 9" housing, as said already, you have to change the tailshaft housing and the output shaft, if you are having a tranny built for you it wont be much more. but personally , i'll stick with a manual from now on.

 

Hey IHI , I was wondering when you would jump in..remember me .."mr Big ***** and tight pockets". Thanks for not flaming me on smoking the 700r4..Ive kicked myself enough. I have the 327 pretty much out of the car now, just waiting on a hoist.
I have 2 700r4's sitting in my garage in a puddle of red. The th350 is going in for a rebuild and shift kit. I have found a fella that has the driveshaft I need. So I can use the 6" tailshaft I have.
I am swapping on new heads and cam, as well as replacing ALL the gaskets on the motor...leak city.
Thanks alot guys for all the help and insight. As for the standard transmission, with my driving style, I think I am better suited with the auto....I I couldnt affords to be replacing things I break every time I take the car out.


I also have the 3:42 posi. with the 700r4 , I had a heck of a time keeping traction on the launch, so the gear change I'm sure will help in that area.

 

Hey Riley, I finally got the 700r4 to shift right after a bottle of sea foam, but never got rid of the hurendous leak up front. Still don't know if it was a pump or front seal and don't care now either. So your hoppin up the 327 or did ya find an actual 350? Either your gonna notice a huge difference just with the tranny swap, I still can't believe how much better the motor sounds, winds up, and pulls. If i was ever gonna do a street rod with an overdrive tranny, i spend the extra jack and get the 4L80E-basically a turbo 400 with an overdrive. The shop that did my rebuild was talking about how they can take parts out of the old 400's and stick them in the 4L80E. That way you have the strength and gear ratio of a "normal" tranny plus overdrive. Man, second gear in the 700 just killed me, waay too spaced out between 1st and 2nd. Anyway, when ya get that new drivetrain in give me a shout and let me know how much better your runnin.

 

Yeah Im going through the 327...I have a 400 block but cant yet afford to build it.. Pulling these motors is getting pretty easy, did it this time by myself in about 6 hrs including the tranny. Guess ill have to wait til next spring to get to the track. Thats ok , it will give me a chance to clean her all up. Glad to here you are happy with yours now. I will for sure let you know how it all turns out. Post some times after your next race, Id like to see the difference. until then..be safe.