1969 Tranny Foam Collar

[Kevin S.]

Did some initial searches here on the '69 tranny foam insulation collar that goes between the underbody fiberglass and the top of the transmission bellhousing. The tranny foam collar on this car was long gone, no glue marks or pieces of foam remnants left to help me determine exactly where the new tranny collar goes.

Prior searches on this sight indicated that the foam collar is glued.

I still have some questions:

Q1. - It looks like from the AIM that the collar is secured to the fiberglass underbody rather than to the bellhousing. My tranny is out so access to the underbody tranny tunnel is wide open. If it is glued, what kind of glue should I use. I have 3M weatherstripping adhesive, would that work? Or, do I need something for higher temps?

Q2. - Is it better to glue the foam collar to the underbody fiberglass now while the tranny is out or wait until the tranny is back in place? Seems like it would better to do it now but just have to be careful when putting the bellhousing and tranny back in place that I don't tear up the foam collar?

Q3. - There is one original underbody insulation clip located at top dead center just a few inches back from where the firewall and the tranny tunnel meet. Is that to hold the tranny foam insulation collar? Perhaps not NCRS correct but I have more reproduction insulation retainer clips that I could attach to hold the foam collar in place.

Once again, thank you in advance for your help.

Kevin

[Mark E.]

Re: 1969 Tranny Foam Collar

Q1: The replacement collar I got (don't remember where) was peel and stick along its upper edge. The adhesive is only needed during vehicle assembly while the body is off. Once in place, the collar is held firmly between the transmission and body. So a dab of weatherstrip adhesive should be fine.

Q2: I installed the collar with the car fully assembled. But I suspect installing it with the bellhousing out involves less grunting. I mashed and pulled and twisted it quite a bit without damage, so it should be fine with either method.


Q3: The collar is held in place by being compressed between the body and bellhousing...no clips. Again, I suspect the adhesive is only to hold it in place during assembly. The clip you see is likely for the tunnel insulation.

Update: it may be easiest to position the collar after the bellhousing is installed but while the transmission is out. With the bellhousing in place you can better see how to position the collar. This is much easier with no transmission in the way.

[Kevin S.]

Re: 1969 Tranny Foam Collar

Hey Mark,
Thank you for the replies.

I wished that the collar I bought had peel-n-stick tape, that would be easier for sure. It did get me thinking. I do have double-sided tape that is very sticky and would certainly do the job rather than 3M weatherstrip rattle can adhesive. I'm thinking tape would be less messy than adhesive.

I really like your suggestion of positioning the foam collar after the bellhousing is installed and before I put the tranny back in place. Thanks for that idea. I'll definately do that.

Kevin