G Force Crossmember Review and Install, Pontiac Re-Build part 13

New Cross Member from GForce! I've been dying to do this upgrade because my Tremec TKX was sitting too dang low, as compared to my Muncie. We're on the tail end of my engine rebuild, and I need to fix the exhaust height by raising the transmision before re-installing it. If you missed it, check out the engine tear down episode... the bearings were toast! In this episode, "G Force Crossmember Review and Install, Pontiac Re-Build part 13", we just installed the low profile band clamps from Ultimate Headers, and now have room to raise the Tremec TKX! Follow along with the Pontiac 400 (Now a 470) engine installation, by subscribing below;
Subscribe by clicking this link; kzbin.info...
Visit GForce's Website; www.crossmembe...
Contact Silver Sport Transmissions by going here;
shiftsst.com/
or by calling 865.609.8187
This channel is all about muscle car how to's and what to watch out for, when working on your own car. Also fresh off of installing a New TREMEC TKX from Silver Sport Transmissions, and a FiTech fuel injection system. Subscribe to watch more projects on this built, not bought, 1969 Pontiac GTO.
Tremec TKX vs. TKO review, install, and test drive;
• Tremec TKX vs TKO, Tes...
NEW! FMG MERCHANDISE available! Here's the online store for shirts (pick a color), and face masks, (Grey, Black, or Red) fmgmerch.threa...
Part's and/or supplies used in this video series;
GForce Crossmember
www.crossmembe...
Ultimate Headers, Extreme Low Profile Band Clamps
ultimateheaders...
RAM Dual Disc, Concept 10.5 info;
ramclutches.co...
VHT High Temp Engine Enamel Primer
www.amazon.com...
1966-70 Pontiac all V8 Engine Metallic Blue Paint
www.inlinetube...
Swag Offroad Portaband vice conversion;
www.swagoffroa...
Butler Performance Tomahawk Valley pan for Roller Lifters;
butlerperforma...
M/E Wagner Dual Flow Adjustable PCV
mewagner.com/
Butler Performance Pro Oil pump, 80 lb. and 60lb. available.
butlerperforma...
Tomahawk Windage Tray
butlerperforma...
Custom Ross Racing Butler Performance, co-designed pistons;
butlerperforma...
B.O.P. Engineering One Piece Main Seal;
butlerperforma...
Here's the latest Walk Around of the GTO, filmed by RestoMods.com • A Walk Around of my "B...
Playlists of interest;
Hydraulic Clutch and Tremec TKO/TKX install;
www.youtube.co....
FiTech Fuel Injection Install;
www.youtube.co....
Here's the original Hydraulic Roller Lifter Fail Inspection, and process:
• Something is still WRO...
Here's the Official Part 1, where Mike starts the preparation of Engine removal
• Pontiac V8 Camshaft Re...
Here's the start of the TREMEC installation, • How to install a Wilwo...
#GarageBuilt #Pontiac #DIY

[@FastMonty]

Be sure to subscribe for more ... click here; kzbin.info

[@kuijin]

Underrated channel. Great information for all viewers regardless of ability level. I'm knee deep in my ranch field stored '67 restoration (barn find would have been an upgrade).

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Brother! Love your barn find comment... mine was a borderline disaster when I started on it too. One day at at time... thanks for being a part of the channel!

[@cfmechanic]

From my research g force is only manufacture that makes shims for trans mount, this leads me to believe their mounting point is lower and need shims to correct driveline angle. I commented before watching entire video. Seems like your video confirms my suspicions

[@FastMonty]

Yup, I needed shims... it also depends on your transmission. I'm pretty sure a Muncie mount is lower than a TKX mount. Not sure about Automatics?

[@cfmechanic]

@Fast Monty's Garage well I run a th400 an auto it had one thin shim with stock mount had vibration under heavy load and high speed. I replaced the one shim with 3 gforce shims checked angles with tremic app and got it in the green. Unfortunately I never checked before adding shims but on short drive it felt better in all situations. Time will tell. One fun fact was when I put a level on the driveshaft after adding shims it was level with bubble right in the middle.

[@FastMonty]

@@cfmechanic Makes sense... I made my own 3/8" shims, two of those, and yes two more of the 1/8" shims. I think you just confirmed they must have planned for the worst case scenario shim scenario. Thanks for sharing!

[@harryking8498]

Greetings, love your videos. 67, also TKX. Looking into the crossmember, but not sure it will solve what I am trying to do. Trying to put my X-pipe ahead of the driveshaft, so right under the tailhousing, and behind the crossmember mount. I am trying to do this to get the exhaust higher. Stock mount, modified. Did you happen to do a video on your exhaust system to show where your X-pipe is located? Appears to be under the driveshaft. FWIW, my first attempt at this, I had 4" long flex pipes running under the crossmember, then 45's to the X-pipe (I fab'd). Putting the 45's right at teh collector puts them into the crossmember. Does not appear that the G-Force will be any wider there to allow this. So I may be stuck either making my own crossmember, or having the X-pipe further back. Just wanting to see how you handled the X-pipe.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks Harry... I understand the predicament. Moving the X pipe forward sounds challenging, here's a video of what mine NOW looks like. (I made a massive change to the frame) But, at the end of this video, you'll see where my current X pipe lands. kzbin.info/www/bejne/b5vIapubd5aCmtk My intent moving forward is to upgrade to a 3" exhaust. But, to keep ground clearance as high as possible, I will most likely end up with an oval pipe mid section. Hope that helps!

[@Nitro_John1]

Great videos. I have enjoyed watching your build. Keep up the good work.

[@FastMonty]

Thanks John! Much appreciated.

[@romano54321]

Does the crossmember allow you to use the emergency brake cables

[@FastMonty]

I was able to use mine... but I have the Wilwood set up. It doesn't touch the floor boards, so my guess is it would work with stock cables. Let us know, if you try it! Thanks for the comment!

[@markjackson6829]

Very cool! I haven't seen you mention, measuring and adjusting your pinion angle to your changing transmission angle. That protects you u-joints from improper loading and heat, shortening their life and load bearing capacity. I don't know if you already have, but you need adjustable rear upper control arms and an angle level?

[@FastMonty]

Good point Mark... my pinion angle is not ideal. It's close, but not perfect. It's a balance of how low do I really want the car versus how perfect do I want the pinion angle. I'd rather have it lower. ha, ha...

[@markjackson6829]

@@FastMonty Ya, it's always a balance, and your probably ok! but at some point after you get all your other angles and ride ht done, it would be good to do. With my 72, the other significant expense will be a lowering and handling suspension kits. But no long tube headers, only shorty for ground clearance. And I will sacrifice some on the disk brake expense, for the suspension.

[@FastMonty]

@@markjackson6829 Yeah, raising the TKX helped the pinion angle. Still not ideal, but a lot better. The ultimate way is to raise the entire tunnel, which I'm not gonna do on this car. Maybe the next one. :)

[@johnkennedy8452]

Awesome Mike , glad to see clearance improvement . but I still think you should raise your trans tunnel by 2 or 3 inches Ha Ha 😂😂 just joking looking great . Do you know of any companies that makes engine mounts .?

[@FastMonty]

Thanks John! Yeah, definitely taking notes for my next build. ha, ha... Butler has some better than stock engine mounts. Not sure who manufactures them? Good luck!

[@andrer3854]

I like but will be boxing frame and may require different part number

[@FastMonty]

Yup, that's my long term plan... maybe next year. Thanks Rob.

[@andrer3854]

Man want be ready before then but I will continue to look forward to your videos

[@FastMonty]

@@andrer3854 I here you... thanks for the comments!

[@frekkledipped]

You should look at these vids and read the comments from peeps in the biz. Would change your mind. Thats exactly what theyre saying. Its UTG . One guy states he had so many bad ones he called the manu. and they sent him 3 sets said take the one you want. He tested all 3 sets and one was ok. I tested mine this weekend they all were fine, Crower.

[@FastMonty]

Yeah, crazy stuff... glad yours tested OK.

[@frekkledipped]

Sorry to bother you but after watching this 3 times I think Im going to order one. Just bought a new trans mount from Ames. So your original problem was a bad lifter. have you seen the vids on flat tappet Hyd lifters, and how they are failing? They state that we're being sold new ones that are actually remanufactured. I went to my machinist this morning and got my lifters and are going to test them see if they fail. Mine are Crower.

[@FastMonty]

Nice, you'll love it. Just answered your prior comment about lifters. I don't think Re-Manufactured is the correct term... that means, the manufacturer is restoring old lifters, and re-selling as new. I doubt that. BUT, all lifters have issues, especially if they're not cleaned before installation. Crowers are great. Again, make sure you clean them thoroughly.

[@johna7184]

Does the TKX install change the pinion angle? I currently have my Jerico shimmed to my liking with factory cross member and stock height mount. American Powertrain TKO install kit comes with a shorter mount for some reason.

[@FastMonty]

Change from what? It was the same height as my TKO mount. But, I had to shim the mount when switching from my Muncie. It also depends on your cross brace. I'm pretty sure it has more to do with the transmission mount location versus the output shaft height relative to the input shaft, if that makes sense?

[@johna7184]

@@FastMonty You mentioned your headers were low. Was that caused by the TKX swap? The factory trans angle spec is 0-3 down. Stock my car was 3 down. I'm currently shimmed up 5/8". The mount that comes with the TKX is shorter but he didn't say how much. They did this for trans tunnel clearance. I was wondering if this or your cross member made things worse than what you had before. I don't want to increase my down angle.

[@FastMonty]

@@johna7184 Yeah, confusing, I know. When I installed my TKO, I assumed the mount was the same as my Muncie, and made some minor tunnel mods, using the same rubber mount. I didn't know it was lower until I installed my headers. (Rookie mistake, which I do all the time :)) Then I upgraded to my TKX, which is smaller in diameter, which allowed me to shove it up into the tunnel more than the TKO. I had to buy the "Tall" mount, and add more shims. That got me back to where my Muncie was. The moral of the story is you get the tallest rubber mount you can, shim it until the trans almost hits the tunnel. OR, you cut your tunnel out, mock up the trans to your desired driveline angle, then build your tunnel around that trans height. AND/OR lower your engine mounts. Isn't hot rodding fun?

[@johna7184]

@@FastMonty lol...I know it's a disease and I'm not looking for a cure 😁. I enjoy your channel. Thanks for all the tech!

[@FastMonty]

@@johna7184 Ha! I heard that! Thanks for being a part of the FMG family! Keep at it!

[@angeloduran6866]

Need advice on a cross member for Pontiac 400 transmission in a 1952 Pontiac Chieftain

[@FastMonty]

Good question... Unfortunately, I know nothing about Chieftain frames. Have you tried searching any FaceBook Pontiac Groups, for anyone that knows the frame specs? Or, might have done it before? Sorry, I'm of no help on that one. Good luck, and thanks for the comment! (If you do find the solution, please post it here, for others to see) Thanks!

[@frekkledipped]

My transmission mount has no holes either side, frame does, cross member doesnt. Weird.

[@FastMonty]

That is totally bizarre... hope you figure that one out.

[@frekkledipped]

@@FastMonty apparently the 64-67 trans mounting brace just fits into a slot then is held down by a metal bar on top with bolts going through, but anyway I abandoned my stock and purchased a G force. Thanks for the info, I also told them I got the info from your vid. ;-)

[@FastMonty]

@@frekkledipped That's awesome Dan! Great to hear they were able to help you out. Thanks for sharing, and letting GForce know I helped. Ha, ha...

[@johnmilner7603]

Ya, that many shims you had did look kind of unsafe.

[@FastMonty]

Yeah, I'll be switching it out for the taller mount, with the thick shims. I'm shocked I had to shim it so much. Thanks John!

[@tonymolinaro2678]

@@FastMonty just finished a 69 442, the gap was the same between our TKX and the same GForce cross member you used.

[@FastMonty]

@@tonymolinaro2678 Ohhhh, thanks Tony! That makes me feel better, since our cars are basically twins. (I love 442's, by the way) Thanks for the comment!

[@tonymolinaro2678]

I am a fan of the GTO also! Let me know what that part number is for the taller trans mount. We also had the same challenge on getting the transmission in. Finally did get it. I am glad there is not a recording of the process 🤣

[@FastMonty]

@@tonymolinaro2678 Awesome. I went with this one, from Summit www.summitracing.com/parts/sum-7731108