Discussion Forum - Northstar Chevelle Club

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Mitch's Transmission. for Biskwik

Chris S · Active Member

If you don’t want to worry about your toes buy a billet flywheel.

I went with Mcleod’s RST twin disc clutch. Built to hold 800hp. Due to the twin disc the clutch spring pressure is very light.

This clutch only reguires .440 of an inch to disengage. Light pressure and a short throw makes it easy to drive.

Both of these were WAY overkill for my build but I don’t have to worry about any of it no matter how I drive.

I also learned how to align the bellhousing as it was required to be documented for my warranty. Took some time but the transmission slides right in when it’s right. I will do this on every manual trans I do from now on. I believe it makes a difference.

It would be worth your time to speak to Jody Hagg, he works with Autogear and McLeod and is very knowledgeable. I know his website sucks but he prefers to speak to you to get all the info he needs to help with your setup.

Sounds like a fun project keep us updated!!!

67ss · 1K+ Club

I can help you out with the flywheel. But all the clutch stuff I have is 10 spline, I had to piece together 26 spline stuff for my car. Let me know what you need though.

If you really want a drivable car I would look into the LGT 700 trans from legend. I don’t know what the wait time is on them but i think Chris S will tell you it was well worth it. Edit Chris beat me to it.

-- Edited by 67ss on Monday 6th of May 2019 09:19:33 PM

-- Edited by 67ss on Monday 6th of May 2019 09:21:30 PM

Bobs_Place · Vice President

If you want/need a scatter shield I would opt for a Quicktime, they look well made, looks like machined mounting surfaces. I have a another brand, the trans mounting surface is not real flat, makes it hard to align.

I do agree with Chris S., you are much safer with the better quality clutch and flywheel and may not need the scatter shield however the high torque may require more than just an aluminum housing.

Lost in the 60s · President

QuickTime bells are SFI steel... no worries Yes, billet steel flywheel will withstand the engine you have, Karl.

Always glad to help others spend their money. My wife knows I can spend plenty of my own...

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Sooo,
Billet steel flywheel, brand, source?
Clutch, Mcleod RST twin disc.

Will need help selecting correct quick time housing when I make decision.

Not sure yet on four speed m-23 or 5 speed LGT 700 will research cost and timing.

Thanks for your input,
Karl

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Tuesday 7th of May 2019 10:21:31 AM

Bobs_Place · Vice President

In the past, if you order a trans from Jody he will offer a discount on the Mcleod clutch and flywheel, possibly the housing. Don,t know if that offer is still good.

Jody Is a good source for info and parts

Chris S · Active Member

I purchased a McLeod Billet flywheel through Jody’ transmission.

He has good pricing on McLeod when buying a package through him.

Lost in the 60s · President

I wouldn't count on getting an LGT in the next 3-5 years. Bob, did you get yours ?? Production is extremely slow and the owner doesn't seem interested in getting more equipment to speed it up. You should ask Jody, but even he is discouraged on a delivery date. I would love to see them available, as I would get one for the Chevelle. Like you, Karl, I'm not 100% confidant the Muncie would survive many thrashings with slicks behind the 496.

All the McLeod stuff is available thru Summit too, but do the research yourself on McLeod's website, as Summit has no real description of specs. I just received a McLeod flywheel, disc, pressure plate and throw out bearing from them for the Camaro. Beginning to think I should have talked to Jody first, myself. Wondering now if I got strong enough parts for the Chris P built engine...

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

I tend to be obsessive, not waiting on a transmission.
I followed the legend saga earlier.

I want to deal with people that perform in a timely manner.
Biskwik has a lot of competition for summer driving.

Probably less than 2500 miles per year, Autogear, (if I go manual) will be just fine.

Thanks to all for the other information on clutch, flywheel options.
Karl

Larry Lucast · Active Member

The Muncies were behind virtually all of the big name drag cars of the 60's and 70's. They stood up to the wheels-up launches of the day. I wasn't know for delicate use, and I never broke one. I don't think you will a problem.

Bobs_Place · Vice President

I put an order in for the LGT in late Jan 2017 expecting about a year before I would get it. By the spring of 2018 I hadn't herd any thing, called Jody, he didn't know if I have a trans for the summer, so I ordered a Gear Vendors Overdrive. Shortly after I received the GVO Chris S. (ahead of me on the list) got word that one would be available for him. I think the trans are being delivered a lot faster now, I thought I herd they upgraded some of there CNC machines and there vendors were more in line with there needs.

I think I would have been very happy withe the LGT, but I have a very nice running M22, really like the gear ratios and gear wine so I was able to keep it by adding the GVO.

Chris S and I talked about a ride in each-others cars, "Test Beat" the trans and his clutch as I am thinking about a new clutch, would still like to do that. Maybe a non-meeting get together?

Lost in the 60s · President

The trans that Chris got was intended for someone else way up the list. That guy got tired of waiting and went a different direction, so Chris got first chance. Chris said the last time he talked to Jody LGT had only produced 18 transmissions in that year.

Bobs_Place · Vice President

I got a call from Jody shorty after Chris, I was 7 down the list from him, I didn't talk to Jody just played phone tag so I couldn't tell if I was to get my order or another persons order. Just assumed they were coming a lot faster. Have not herd much about them since however.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

The Legend 5 speed is not realistically obtainable.
Talked to Jody.

He can supply everything I need for the optimal set-up
If I go that route, thinking it could be a Club Project assembling the Bell housing, clutch, and transmission.
Would need the "Chris's, Bob, Mitch and others to perform this "training" possible "Lunch and Learn" session.

Probably use a 2:99 first gear, even ratios up to the 1:1 final.
I have tall tires, so a 3:31 rear differential would put cruising rpm at 70 mph about 2650
Still give a hole shot as if 4:11s with m20.

He knows his stuff, great to talk to.

Already have Aluminum radiator, electric fan set-up.
New yoke for driveshaft, recommended upgrading driveshaft to 3 inch.

That leaves getting serious on Differential and doing brake upgrade.

Thanks Mitch

Karl

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Wednesday 8th of May 2019 02:56:52 PM

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

M-23Z with Long shifter assy.

Lost in the 60s · President

I have 3.31's with an M20 in the '66, 275/60x15 tires. Good combo. The lower gears in the M23 will be better for acceleration from stop.
May as well order 2 sets of offset bellhousing dowels now from RobbMc... .007 and .014 to get the opening centered on the crankshaft. Chris S was here tonight and I just ordered the .007 pins for my stock bell.
That 427 with deeper trans gears just might hang with my 496..

Bobs_Place · Vice President

more ambition than brains wrote:

Probably use a 2:99 first gear, even ratios up to the 1:1 final.
I have tall tires, so a 3:31 rear differential would put cruising rpm at 70 mph about 2650
Still give a hole shot as if 4:11s with m20.

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Wednesday 8th of May 2019 02:56:52 PM

A 3.31 rear gear and 70MPH to get 2650 would need about a 30.25 tire. Are you sure it that big? I run a 275/60-15 with 22psi the tires roll at 751 revs per mile, or, 26.85 diameter. With a 3.08 gear and the 275s, 2650 would get you just sort of 69mph.

looks like there are 12 different gear set available with the 2.99 1st gear, lots of choices, have fun.

Also you will end up with about a 60 to 65 inchs maybe longer drive line, you should be thinking 3.5 to 4 in shaft with 1350 joints. Think about this: a 3.31 driven by a 2.99 trans ratio as apposed to 3.91 with a 2.52 1st gear, both final drive ratios are very similar 9.897:1 and 9.828:1 So you could theoretically lay down the same patch of rubber with ether combination, now, with 490 ft lbs torque from the engine multiplied by the trans ratio that makes 1234 ft. lbs for the 2.52 ratio trans and 1465 for the 2.99 1st gear, about 230 ft.lbs more, now think about what happen when you side step the clutch............

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

You sound like Jody,
Am going to recheck tire size to confirm.
Also I was mistaken on the driveshaft upgrade, he said from 3 inch to 31/2 shaft and, as you stated 1350 u-joints.

As everyone well knows, if the engine, clutch and trans are reasonably bullet-proof, the next weak links are driveshaft and differential.

Kind of like pushing in on a water balloon, is has to pop out somewhere else.
Most important outcome is comfortable 70 mph cruise rpm, plus decent hole shot and durable.

As you all help me flesh this out I find myself leaning toward moving the 4:11 differential assembly out of my 68 basket case and bolting it into Biskwik. Biskwik can then be more drivable while this entire set-up is funded and assembled.

Then take the current Biskwik assembly and freshen it with whatever posi. and gear set makes sense for these requirements.

Tempted to set body aside on basket case, use that frame as a platform for this package.

I think we have our January meeting possible projects coming together.

Could be either white Elky drivetrain or something else on that car, or the "427 platform" project.

Ultimately the Current, complete Biskwik frame and drivetrain package would end up under the "basket case" body. It is a nice running unleaded fuel, low compression 454 with 621 bell housing 11" clutch, some kind of Muncie with Hurst shifter, and, after mixing stuff up a 4:11 posi. Have all NOS front tin for that car too. My children could complete that project if I fade away. There is already some lust in my son-in-laws eyes.

Thanks to all, will keep you posted,

Karl

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Thursday 9th of May 2019 06:41:26 AM

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Thursday 9th of May 2019 06:43:44 AM

BLyke · 1K+ Club

Sounds line a good plan Karl.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

So, verified tire size.

Actual size 2:55x70-15, not 2:65

Just a little different.
Karl

Bobs_Place · Vice President

I looked up some 255/70-15s, the spec shows 29.1" dia. and revs per miles at 713-716. So if we use 714 to calculate speed at rpm we get 67.3 at 2650, and 70 is 2758.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

So is that with the 3:31 or 3:08?
Thanks for your efforts and clarification.
Karl

Bobs_Place · Vice President

The speed/RPM calculation in my last post was for a 3.31 axle ratio.

If you go to a 3.08 than 2600 RPM would be almost 71 MPH, 70.94 to be exact.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

I think I am loving the 3:31.

This is a toy, 0-60 is the most likely operating range.
Don't see any long driving, 70+ mph trips in it's future, my other cars are way more comfortable.

Thanks!!!!
Karl

Lost in the 60s · President

You already have a set of 3.31 gears in one of those axles, don't you ? All you need is to scavenge a 3 series posi out of another, or, better still, buy a new Eaton posi carrier.

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

Current "Biskwik" 5:56 assembly will become the 3:31 setup behind 427.

Having a cut and part party tomorrow at Toybox to finally move forward on disposing of that blue Biscayne parts car.
Be there 10-3:00 with an Impala club member that needs a chunk of frame.
My lifelong friend Roger D. will be there helping.

The Basket case could donate 4:11 Axel assembly, and sit on stands until I throw a "roller" differential under it.

1. Cut up Blue parts car and make it go away.
2. Pull 4:11 differential out of Basket case.
3. Install 4:11 assy. into Biskwik.
4. Install aluminum radiator, electric fans Biskwik.
5 Drive Biskwik.

Long term: assemble complete 427 drivetrain in "Basket" case frame.
Pretty sure it will have Mitch's M-23 setup from Jody
Upgrade suspension, basket case.
Swap completed package under Biskwik.

Karl

-- Edited by more ambition than brains on Monday 13th of May 2019 01:48:06 PM

more ambition than brains · 1K+ Club

ONE YEAR LATER!

Basket case 68 Biscayne is in Burnsville shop.
Upper dash is replaced, doors, roof, upper rear body panel, deck lid and upper 1/4 panels are blocked and minor repairs to those panels are complete.
R/R 1/4 panel is 90% done. L/R 1/4 panel is next.
Refitting doors and fitting NOS front Sheetmetal.

Have a roller differential ready to bolt in so that I can "steal" the Basket case differential for BIskwik.

Possibly entire body shell may be in Poly primer-surfacer by end of next week.
After fitting, Nos Fenders will be sent out and stripped.
If we are able to accomplish that, the entire shell, and all exterior Sheetmetal would be ready for final block and refinish.
It will stay Blue, as I have the original interior that just needs the seats redone.

Not sure next step after that.

I will post some historical pictures on Basket case, plus current condition, tomorrow.

Biskwik will also get power brakes when the differential goes in.

Karl

Also will post some ElCamino pictures on that thread tomorrow.