Hurst - Jeff
Jan 29th, 06, 3:40 PM
Tremec TKO Installation and Tech Guide for 1964-72 Chevelles
By
Classic Chevy 5-Speed
We get a lot of great questions about the specific issues that are involved when installing a Tremec TKO transmission into the 1964-1972 Chevelles so we thought we would compile the answers in one place. This list should be pretty complete but there is always something new that comes up.
“1964-72 CHEVELLE SPECIFIC” TKO INSTALLTION INFORMATION
TKO Fitment
The TKO transmission is larger than the stock Muncie transmission therefore it is necessary to enlarge or cut your tunnel in order to install a TKO into a Chevelle. There is nothing that can be done to the transmission itself to allow it to fit without cutting. Fabricating a piece of sheet metal to re-cover the tunnel is not too difficult to do and when your interior is re-installed your car will appear stock. Scroll down on the link below and you will see some before and after pictures of the tunnel modifications that are required:
http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/important_tips_Tremec_Purchase.htm.
With that said, if you have a numbers matching car or for whatever reason, you are not comfortable cutting your tunnel, converting your car to a Tremec TKO 5-speed is not an option for you.
Shifter Location & Center Consoles
The dead center of the stock 4-speed shifter hole in the floorboard of a ’64-’67 Chevelle happens to be 16.75” back and from where the transmission mounts to the bellhousing. Also, the hole is offset towards the driver’s side by 2” from the centerline of the tunnel. The shifter opening on 1968-1972 models is also 16.75” back form the front of the transmission but rather than being offset to the left, the hole is centered in the tunnel.
For the 1964-67 models if you have a stock center console, the shifter that comes with the TKO will not fit within the console. The solution is to use the McLeod Slik Stix shifter. This shifter is a low profile unit with a 2” offset stub that is designed to fit underneath your console and position the stub in the correct console location. If you do not have a center console, you can easily use the stock Tremec shifter that is included with each new TKO.
Click here to read more about the McLeod shifter and how it is designed: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/TKO_500_TKO_600_recommended_shifter_positions.htm.
For 1968-72 models, you can use the stock Tremec shifter and it will position your stick in the correct location with your stock center console. By simply unbolting the stock shifter from its originally installed location (19.5” back from front of transmission), rotating it around 180*, and then re-installing it on the transmission, you will position the shifter 16.75” back from the front of the transmission which is the correct forward/backward location for the ‘68-‘72 models.
Click here to read more about the McLeod shifter and how it is designed: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/TKO_500_TKO_600_recommended_shifter_positions.htm.
Crossmembers
The stock Chevelle crossmember can easily be used when installing a TKO into a Chevelle. Because the TKO transmission is longer than the stock Muncie or automatic transmission found in older cars, it is necessary to slide the stock crossmember back approximately 1 3/4” on the frame rails and re-install it. This will require drilling a new set of holes on the crossmember mounting rail that protrudes from the car’s main frame rail.
Additionally, the TKO has a web of material called a torque arm boss that is located on the bottom edge of the tailshaft. The torque arm boss slightly hits the top of the crossmember directly behind the crossmember mounting tab. The solution is to either, heat up and “dimple down” the top of the crossmember to create clearance for the torque arm boss, or to simply cut off the torque arm boss where it interferes with the crossmember. Either method is acceptable and both are easy to do.
Clutch pedals & linkage for auto to manual swaps:
The TKO transmission can use the stock clutch linkage found in a stock 4-speed car. When you are converting from an automatic to the TKO you will need to purchase a clutch/brake pedal assembly as well as the clutch linkage components. You have two options with regard for pedals and linkage. First, if you would prefer to work with original GM parts, you can get these parts from a Chevelle salvage yard. Alternatively, you can purchase a reproduction set of pedals and linkage – these parts are readily available in a kit format from the various Chevelle parts suppliers including Classic Chevy 5-Speed. Buying reproduction parts is definitely convenient and easy. These kits usually cost around $150-$225.
Part 2: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116420
Part 3: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116421
Part 4: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116422
Sincerely,
The Classic Chevy 5-Speed Team
Contributing writers:
Jeff Mortenson, Classic Chevy 5-Speed
Jim Goodlad, Classic Chevy 5-Speed
Scott Lindquist, Classic Chevy 5-Speed
Kyle Forster, Tremec Corporation
Jim Averill, Tremec Corporation
Red Roberts, McLeod Industries
Jeff Gilroy, Inland Empire Driveline
Jody Haag, Jody’s Transmissions
Wally Knight, Muncie4speed.com
By
Classic Chevy 5-Speed
We get a lot of great questions about the specific issues that are involved when installing a Tremec TKO transmission into the 1964-1972 Chevelles so we thought we would compile the answers in one place. This list should be pretty complete but there is always something new that comes up.
“1964-72 CHEVELLE SPECIFIC” TKO INSTALLTION INFORMATION
TKO Fitment
The TKO transmission is larger than the stock Muncie transmission therefore it is necessary to enlarge or cut your tunnel in order to install a TKO into a Chevelle. There is nothing that can be done to the transmission itself to allow it to fit without cutting. Fabricating a piece of sheet metal to re-cover the tunnel is not too difficult to do and when your interior is re-installed your car will appear stock. Scroll down on the link below and you will see some before and after pictures of the tunnel modifications that are required:
http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/important_tips_Tremec_Purchase.htm.
With that said, if you have a numbers matching car or for whatever reason, you are not comfortable cutting your tunnel, converting your car to a Tremec TKO 5-speed is not an option for you.
Shifter Location & Center Consoles
The dead center of the stock 4-speed shifter hole in the floorboard of a ’64-’67 Chevelle happens to be 16.75” back and from where the transmission mounts to the bellhousing. Also, the hole is offset towards the driver’s side by 2” from the centerline of the tunnel. The shifter opening on 1968-1972 models is also 16.75” back form the front of the transmission but rather than being offset to the left, the hole is centered in the tunnel.
For the 1964-67 models if you have a stock center console, the shifter that comes with the TKO will not fit within the console. The solution is to use the McLeod Slik Stix shifter. This shifter is a low profile unit with a 2” offset stub that is designed to fit underneath your console and position the stub in the correct console location. If you do not have a center console, you can easily use the stock Tremec shifter that is included with each new TKO.
Click here to read more about the McLeod shifter and how it is designed: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/TKO_500_TKO_600_recommended_shifter_positions.htm.
For 1968-72 models, you can use the stock Tremec shifter and it will position your stick in the correct location with your stock center console. By simply unbolting the stock shifter from its originally installed location (19.5” back from front of transmission), rotating it around 180*, and then re-installing it on the transmission, you will position the shifter 16.75” back from the front of the transmission which is the correct forward/backward location for the ‘68-‘72 models.
Click here to read more about the McLeod shifter and how it is designed: http://www.classicchevy5speed.com/TKO_500_TKO_600_recommended_shifter_positions.htm.
Crossmembers
The stock Chevelle crossmember can easily be used when installing a TKO into a Chevelle. Because the TKO transmission is longer than the stock Muncie or automatic transmission found in older cars, it is necessary to slide the stock crossmember back approximately 1 3/4” on the frame rails and re-install it. This will require drilling a new set of holes on the crossmember mounting rail that protrudes from the car’s main frame rail.
Additionally, the TKO has a web of material called a torque arm boss that is located on the bottom edge of the tailshaft. The torque arm boss slightly hits the top of the crossmember directly behind the crossmember mounting tab. The solution is to either, heat up and “dimple down” the top of the crossmember to create clearance for the torque arm boss, or to simply cut off the torque arm boss where it interferes with the crossmember. Either method is acceptable and both are easy to do.
Clutch pedals & linkage for auto to manual swaps:
The TKO transmission can use the stock clutch linkage found in a stock 4-speed car. When you are converting from an automatic to the TKO you will need to purchase a clutch/brake pedal assembly as well as the clutch linkage components. You have two options with regard for pedals and linkage. First, if you would prefer to work with original GM parts, you can get these parts from a Chevelle salvage yard. Alternatively, you can purchase a reproduction set of pedals and linkage – these parts are readily available in a kit format from the various Chevelle parts suppliers including Classic Chevy 5-Speed. Buying reproduction parts is definitely convenient and easy. These kits usually cost around $150-$225.
Part 2: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116420
Part 3: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116421
Part 4: http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=116422
Sincerely,
The Classic Chevy 5-Speed Team
Contributing writers:
Jeff Mortenson, Classic Chevy 5-Speed
Jim Goodlad, Classic Chevy 5-Speed
Scott Lindquist, Classic Chevy 5-Speed
Kyle Forster, Tremec Corporation
Jim Averill, Tremec Corporation
Red Roberts, McLeod Industries
Jeff Gilroy, Inland Empire Driveline
Jody Haag, Jody’s Transmissions
Wally Knight, Muncie4speed.com