Transmission Crossmember 69-4-speed

[Chatt69chgr]

I am converting my 69 318/904 car to a 440 4-speed.  I have read that the transmission crossmember is different for a 4-speed but that you can convert an auto crossmember to a 4-speed crossmember by cutting off the front mount and opening up the center "basket".  Has anyone done this?  What's involved.  What about the rubber isolator? Or would I be better off to just buy a converted crossmember from Brewers for $99.

Can a 70 Satellite crossmember be used for my application? 

[oldkimmer]

I have a 4 gear crossmember from a 1969 road runner..........$100.00...includes shipping.

[oldkimmer]

includes the mount.

[metallicareload99]

For what its worth, I used the Brewer's crossmember for my 318/727 to 440/833 change.  It looked good and fitted well, though sounds like oldkimmer has a good deal

[Chryco Psycho]

first off which 4 spd are you installing , the 69 & earlier 4 spds have the mount more back on the tranny but if you install a later trans the mount is positioned in the same place as the auto trans so you may be able to use the mount you already have

[tecmopar]

Its not really that hard to do if you have the right tools. Also, it depends on what trans you have. The pre-'70 B-body 4-speed has the mount area more towards the middle of the tail housing, the later B-E body  trans has the mount area further foward almost right under the front shifter mount location, good luck.

[Chatt69chgr]

I don't have the 4-speed yet but have a line on one out of a 69 Roadrunner that I will be checking on after the Thanksgiving holidays.  O/W, I would buy one from Brewers-----66-69 style most lilkely.  Would the 70's up transmission be a better choice gear ratio wise to put behind a 440?  Obviously, I could use the Satellite crossmember that I have access to from a junkyard with the later transmission and wouldn't have to modify my 69 auto crossmember.  The only reason I was even thinking of modifying my auto crossmember was that I like to try to do everything myself---if it makes sense to do so.  I will note that I looked on the Brewer website and they sell a modified 66-69 auto crossmember for use with a 4-speed for $99 and the new mount is $22.  That's probably not a bad price considering that it has already been sandblasted and painted and you are getting a new rubber isolator.

In preparation for looking at the used transmission I have been reading everything I can find on the web and on this site as to what to look for in evaluating it.  I have made a list of several things to look at to identify the type/year of the transmission.  But what about evaluating the condition of the transmission itself.  How do I determine if the input shaft has been shortened?  What is the stock length of that portion of the input shaft directly in front of the splines-----that goes into the end of the crankshaft?  I will remove the shifter cover and look for broken gears.  What else should I look for?

[tecmopar]

The pilot section of the input shaft is approx. 2" long, for the rest of it I sent you a PM with my #. Good luck.