Wondering if others are or have considered a redesign on the crossmember. I was thinking of a DOM U bend that goes over the tailshaft. Hoping that would make the trans go in and out easier. The 3 speed overdrive had issues and a Mustang T5 has been mocked in. It was a real pain snaking that in. Thanks!
I bought my '56 in 1968. Since then it's had 3 Y-blocks, 6 FE's and 5 SBC's, so I've had lots of practice changing trans. THM 350's, and 700r4's are too long to lift straight up. You have to go in at an angle and I had a thm350 slide off the trans jack and break an ear of the inspection cover mount. So I decided to cut out the center part of the crossmember. I bought a piece of 2" x 3/16" angle and cut a short piece to bridge the cut out to the rest of the crossmember. I drilled most of the bolt holes and fitted the bridge before I cut the section out. It works great and is much safer and quicker to change transmissions. Pete https://www.instagram.com/rwd_pete/
I did my crossmember the same as rwd-pete and it certainly made it simpler to install my 351/AOD. In myy case, had to modify the trans crossmember to gain a little clearance between the trans and floor
The '59 has the worst one I have ever seen. I have had mine out 2x so far and almost a 3rd time. The mounting flanges are angled, 4 bolts per side hold it in place. I have to spread the ch***is rails with a porta-power to get it back in. The next time, I will fab up a drop out center section for it.
My '54 cross member is stock no mods done except minor redrilling for the rubber mount https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/dscf0037-small.483808/ it is actually easier if the engine and trans go in as a unit. More pictures and part numbers on the mounts here. https://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/media/albums/289-302-351w-swap-mounts.41498/
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