Once again I am in need of help ! I'm sure you've seen this from me before ! I am doing a conversion of a ' 76 and installing a '94 LT 1 with the 4L60E tranny . The engine and tranny installed fine, but !! It seems the tranny DOES NOT center in the tunnel anymore . I am using a cross member from Bowtie Overdrives and the rear section of the tranny is from Street and Performance( as it was needed to mate with the cross member).
The u-joint is extremely close to the passenger side floor pan. As in, you could put a hair between them !
Has anyone run into this problem ( if you've done this conversion ) ? If so, what in hell did you do to get out of trouble ??
Please let me know ASAP !
You can email me with any answers at BLAKBOLT@AOL.COM.
MANY THANKS TO ALL FOR ANY HELP !!!!!

Do you need to change the motor mounts on a lt1 or are they the same as a 1st gen small block? When I put my new engine in and at the same time put in my 700r4 trans, I do remember having my u-joint close to one side of the the tunnel initally. I loosened the motor mounts and trans mount and grabbed the offending u joint and muscled it back to center, A carefully placed prybar helped me also. Also check that the trans monting flange is tight and all snugged up to the motor. Also do you think your driveshaft was shortened enough?

The motor mounts are new and they fit the LT1 just as they would the stock 350 .
The pry bar trick was my next try . The tranny does move a bit, but, haven't tried to tighten everything just yet . Trying to figure out the reason why it's as it is before using muscle !
Seems like the general thought is that something is not lining up with the mounts . Odd, as they fit on the LT-1 perfectly .


Eventually, it will be figured out !

Well, after a bit closer inspection, I have found a problem. Maybe not THE problem, but one that would keep the trans off center . The mounting holes in the Bowtie Overdrive crossmember DO NOT match exactly to the holes in the frame ! The hole for the cross bolt on the right side is , at least, 1/4" off to the right ! So, the fix would be to mark where the holes should be, remove the member, and slot the holes. Here we go, back to the milling machine !
Once they are slotted , the trans should line up alot closer to center .
Anyone ever run into this problem with Bowtie Overdrives crossmember conversion kit ? Oh, and just try getting help from their techs !




Forget what I said about slotting the holes ! The crossmember sits too tightly to move it. I'll have to figure the centering problem another way !

|UPDATED|1/9/2005 3:41:18 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|

If the cross member is a real tight fit, you may be able to trim a small amount off of one end to create a bit of play. Many cross members don't fit tight between the frame rails, the bolts hold them in place.
Just don't cut so much the support is weak.

Not a bad idea. But, someone also told me to check for possible bent frame mounts . Hope it isn't that, then I'm in deep !!!