This past summer, I was starting to have some issues with M20 in the Chevelle.One issue that became pretty regular was when you put the car in reverse, reverse was spinning.To get the car into reverse, I would have to shut it off, put it in reverse and then start it back up.Another issue was the tranny would get locked up and the car wouldn’t move.Because of this I did some research and purchased a Silver Sport PerfectFit TKO 600, with a .64 OD (Found out I have 3.90 gears).The tranny will be arriving next week and I will be doing the install over the next couple of weeks.I am hoping that I will just have to dimple the tunnel to get it to fit.An item that is in my favor is, I have changed the body mounts in the Chevelle when I restored it.I plan on keeping people posted on progress.
Tool that would help is a tranny jack that will lift a tranny about 5 feet in the air.Does anyone have one I can borrow?
Bobs_Place said
Nov 1, 2019
The reverse problem sounds like the clutch is not fully releasing, this can also cause the trans to be hard to get out of gear at times.
How did you find that the gear ratio was wrong?
hkgmillette said
Nov 2, 2019
FYI - If the tranny was cool, everything worked fine. It was acting up when the tranny was hot. I checked a number of things and even changed the fluid, but nothing corrected the issue. As for the speed, I downloaded a speed app to my phone and checked my speed on a trip we took. I found that at 3000 RPM, with 27" tires I was doing 62 MPH. Then I entered those figures in this calculator, www.strangeengineering.net/gear-ratio-calculator/
Jon H said
Nov 2, 2019
You are going to love the lower rpm on the highway!
Lost in the 60s said
Nov 2, 2019
How much you want for the M20 ?
hkgmillette said
Nov 2, 2019
Mitch, right now I am planning on keeping it. My car originally came with an M20. I have not run the numbers on it, so I do not know if it is the original one.
Lost in the 60s said
Nov 2, 2019
Well, if it isn't the original when you get it out, and you want to loose it, I'd be interested in rebuilding it for my Camaro. The Muncie I rebuilt last Spring is an M21 and doesn't work well with the 3:31 gears in the rear.
dashboard said
Nov 3, 2019
I really enjoyed my five speed (.67OD) only question I had was, why didn’t I do it sooner.
hkgmillette said
Nov 3, 2019
Kevin what did you put in and what challenges did you have getting it to fit?
dashboard said
Nov 3, 2019
I installed the RS500 built by Kessler now Silver Sport. I wanted the RS600 (my torque was 550) but there were production problems with the RS600; after talking with one of their engineers I selected the RS500. The kit included a drive shaft and everything needed for installation.
My install really was plug and play, did it while laying on my back on the garage floor. I removed my M22 In the morning installed the RS 500 The car was ready to drive that afternoon, no sheetmetal mods were required; I had to drill two holes in the frame to move my crossmember back about three inches. I even received the Kessler Perfect Fit award.
I thought I posted the install but can’t seem to find it on the site I’ll continue looking foes it.
dashboard said
Nov 3, 2019
See if this link works. Unfortunately the pictures are not there any more, but it does explain a couple issues I forgot about.
I think this is like the trans that Chris S. put in his '68 and different than the TKO 500/600's?
I searched Silver Sport Trans website for RS500 and I don't think they make this one anymore?
67ss said
Nov 4, 2019
When Kiesler went belly up the RS 500/600 went away. G force makes a similar version of it with this model. Look at the bottom of the page for the adapter they show to adapt to a GM bellhousing. Not sure if there option has a mechanical speedometer or not.
If I remember correctly, the RS 500 was a Ford T45 trans modified to fit the GM bell housing
dashboard said
Nov 4, 2019
67ss wrote:
When Kiesler went belly up the RS 500/600 went away. G force makes a similar version of it with this model. Look at the bottom of the page for the adapter they show to adapt to a GM bellhousing.
Did you get a trans jack? I have trans adapter for my floor jack, it will get the bottom of the trans up to about 28". That's high enough so that you can get under your car hoist and unbolt the upper two bolts holding the trans to the clutch housing. Your welcome to it.
Thanks Bob. I will let you know if I need it. Stan has a tranny jack that is similar. I can't remember how high his goes. He will be dropping it off on Wednesday. I was planning on putting the jack and tranny on a table, so I can get some more height. The tranny weighs about 115 lbs.
hkgmillette said
Nov 9, 2019
During the week, I tore down the Chevelle. Everything came apart fine, expect for the pilot bushing. That required some Dremel grinding and a 5 lb slide hammer. Today, I fitted the tranny. Tremec wants 1/4" clearance around the tranny. I had that and more, for the majority of it. I only needed to dimple the tunnel where the first shifter mount is on the top of the tranny, just in front of the shifter opening in the tunnel. I did take measurements for the new drive shaft. that will be ordered this week. Next up, aligning the flywheel and bell housing.
Hank, looks like the crossmember lines up nicely. You may get a test drive in before the new year.
OscarZ said
Nov 9, 2019
Looking good. Winter will seem extra long in anticipation of driving with the new trans!
Bobs_Place said
Nov 10, 2019
Have you thought about upgrade the drive line to a 1350.
Jon H said
Nov 11, 2019
Very nice Hank!
hkgmillette said
Nov 12, 2019
Bob, I had not. I figured I do not drive it hard enough to warrant that.
hkgmillette said
Nov 17, 2019
With the help of Chris S, Chris P and Stan the flywheel and bell housing have been aligned and the Tremec is in. With the help from FedEx, the new drive shaft was delivered today, so we finished the car and took it for a ride. We had to re-adjust the clutch, by then it ran great. The speedometer is just about right on and the back-up light work. Can wait until next year to get it out on the road.
dashboard said
Nov 17, 2019
Congratulations, sounds like it went in nicely but with the pit crew you had.... Any sheetmetal work required?
Now that you guys have the install down pat you can move over to Stans shop and install his.
.
BLyke said
Nov 18, 2019
hkgmillette wrote:
With the help of Chris S, Chris P and Stan the flywheel and bell housing have been aligned and the Tremec is in. With the help from FedEx, the new drive shaft was delivered today, so we finished the car and took it for a ride. We had to re-adjust the clutch, by then it ran great. The speedometer is just about right on and the back-up light work. Can wait until next year to get it out on the road.
Sounds like a great upgrade!
So is it back to the VW for the winter work or is there more in store for the Chevelle?
This past summer, I was starting to have some issues with M20 in the Chevelle. One issue that became pretty regular was when you put the car in reverse, reverse was spinning. To get the car into reverse, I would have to shut it off, put it in reverse and then start it back up. Another issue was the tranny would get locked up and the car wouldn’t move. Because of this I did some research and purchased a Silver Sport PerfectFit TKO 600, with a .64 OD (Found out I have 3.90 gears). The tranny will be arriving next week and I will be doing the install over the next couple of weeks. I am hoping that I will just have to dimple the tunnel to get it to fit. An item that is in my favor is, I have changed the body mounts in the Chevelle when I restored it. I plan on keeping people posted on progress.
Tool that would help is a tranny jack that will lift a tranny about 5 feet in the air. Does anyone have one I can borrow?
The reverse problem sounds like the clutch is not fully releasing, this can also cause the trans to be hard to get out of gear at times.
How did you find that the gear ratio was wrong?
Well, if it isn't the original when you get it out, and you want to loose it, I'd be interested in rebuilding it for my Camaro. The Muncie I rebuilt last Spring is an M21 and doesn't work well with the 3:31 gears in the rear.
My install really was plug and play, did it while laying on my back on the garage floor. I removed my M22 In the morning installed the RS 500 The car was ready to drive that afternoon, no sheetmetal mods were required; I had to drill two holes in the frame to move my crossmember back about three inches. I even received the Kessler Perfect Fit award.
I thought I posted the install but can’t seem to find it on the site I’ll continue looking foes it.
northstarchevelles.activeboard.com/t45794657/out-with-the-old/
Hope it helps.
I think this is like the trans that Chris S. put in his '68 and different than the TKO 500/600's?
I searched Silver Sport Trans website for RS500 and I don't think they make this one anymore?
When Kiesler went belly up the RS 500/600 went away. G force makes a similar version of it with this model. Look at the bottom of the page for the adapter they show to adapt to a GM bellhousing. Not sure if there option has a mechanical speedometer or not.
http://www.gforcetransmissions.com/tran_3650.asp
Kiesler’s remaining assets where bought by Silver Sport Trans; several Kiesler employees are now with SS Trans.
Santa, in the form of a FedEx man, dropped off the tranny today
Did you get a trans jack? I have trans adapter for my floor jack, it will get the bottom of the trans up to about 28". That's high enough so that you can get under your car hoist and unbolt the upper two bolts holding the trans to the clutch housing. Your welcome to it.
During the week, I tore down the Chevelle. Everything came apart fine, expect for the pilot bushing. That required some Dremel grinding and a 5 lb slide hammer. Today, I fitted the tranny. Tremec wants 1/4" clearance around the tranny. I had that and more, for the majority of it. I only needed to dimple the tunnel where the first shifter mount is on the top of the tranny, just in front of the shifter opening in the tunnel. I did take measurements for the new drive shaft. that will be ordered this week. Next up, aligning the flywheel and bell housing.
Looking good. Winter will seem extra long in anticipation of driving with the new trans!
Have you thought about upgrade the drive line to a 1350.
With the help of Chris S, Chris P and Stan the flywheel and bell housing have been aligned and the Tremec is in. With the help from FedEx, the new drive shaft was delivered today, so we finished the car and took it for a ride. We had to re-adjust the clutch, by then it ran great. The speedometer is just about right on and the back-up light work. Can wait until next year to get it out on the road.
Now that you guys have the install down pat you can move over to Stans shop and install his.
.
Sounds like a great upgrade!
So is it back to the VW for the winter work or is there more in store for the Chevelle?