Manual bellhousing tips
October 31st, 2022, 09:05 AM
#1
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Join Date: Nov 2018
Location: Independence OR
Posts: 123
Manual bellhousing tips
I'm looking to put a TKX transmission behind a 455 but I am new to installing manual transmissions. Any tips on what to look for regarding fitment, are some castings better than others regarding strength, etc. This is going in a 71 cutlass s with a mild build on the 455 and would likely never see anything past 500hp in future plans. There is one for sale on my local craigslist but I really don't know what to look for aside for obvious damage. Casting number is 1249598. I appreciate any advice!
January 15th, 2023, 05:55 PM
#2
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Join Date: Jun 2014
Location: Bolton Ontario, Canada
Posts: 327
Tkx trans
I'm looking to put a TKX transmission behind a 455 but I am new to installing manual transmissions. Any tips on what to look for regarding fitment, are some castings better than others regarding strength, etc. This is going in a 71 cutlass s with a mild build on the 455 and would likely never see anything past 500hp in future plans. There is one for sale on my local craigslist but I really don't know what to look for aside for obvious damage. Casting number is 1249598. I appreciate any advice!
Just an FYI.
January 15th, 2023, 07:40 PM
#3
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 1,495
The TKX is a slimmer transmission than the TKO and other Tremec offerings. It fits an A Body (and other cars) without having to modify the car at all.
January 16th, 2023, 04:43 AM
#4
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Join Date: Apr 2020
Posts: 696
Use new ARP hardware that is dedicated to this particular job. Ideally, use a Lakewood bell housing.
Back when most people drove their street cars to the track, a friend had an illustrative incident. The flywheel in his Chevelle left the scene through the top of the car damaging the brand new tow truck of another driver that was sitting in the parking area. My friend was making pass on the track. The buzz saw covered a lot of territory before landing.
Another friend was test driving another guy's new 396/375 that just left the dealership showroom the same morning. (It had 30 miles or so on the odometer.) The flywheel departed through the dash on a nearby public road with the owner in the passenger seat. The damage was so extensive that the car was declared a total loss by the insurance carrier.
No one sustained injuries except to their nerves and undies. Lady Luck was in town.
Back when most people drove their street cars to the track, a friend had an illustrative incident. The flywheel in his Chevelle left the scene through the top of the car damaging the brand new tow truck of another driver that was sitting in the parking area. My friend was making pass on the track. The buzz saw covered a lot of territory before landing.
Another friend was test driving another guy's new 396/375 that just left the dealership showroom the same morning. (It had 30 miles or so on the odometer.) The flywheel departed through the dash on a nearby public road with the owner in the passenger seat. The damage was so extensive that the car was declared a total loss by the insurance carrier.
No one sustained injuries except to their nerves and undies. Lady Luck was in town.
Last edited by Tri-Carb; January 16th, 2023 at 04:49 AM.
January 16th, 2023, 09:34 AM
#7
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Join Date: Feb 2010
Location: Vancouver Island, Canada
Posts: 1,495
If you're buying the transmission new, the warranty will be null and void unless you measure and adjust the bellhousing runout to be within specs. I got my TKX from SST and got all the conversion/installation parts from them as well so there was no second guessing whether I had the right bellhousing or whatever.
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