Keisler TKO600 Tranny removal question

[Lorne G.]

I have a Keisler TKO600 tranny in my 67 that needs to come out for clutch replacement. The tranny was installed easily when the body was off the frame. I was told that it is impossible to remove this tranny without taking the motor out or moving it forward 5 or 6 inches, something that i really do not want to do.
A tranny shop suggested cutting the mid section of the crossmember to allow easy in and out of the transmission. They claim they do this all the time and use reinforcing plates that bolt to the crossmemeber.
This sounds reasonable but what will it do to the value of my 67?

Does anyone have any experience in removing these transmissions?

Lorne

[Steve D.]

Re: Keisler TKO600 Tranny removal question

Lorne

Have you called Keisler? They should be able to give you some ideas.
I put a Keisler 5 speed in my 63. I removed the engine and reinstalled with the transmission attached. It's a pretty tight fit and I thought that would be the easiest way.

Steve

[Lorne G.]

Re: Keisler TKO600 Tranny removal question

Hi Steve,
Yes I called Keisler and they told me that their highly trained installers can remove the tranny but it is very difficult even for them. They recommend the engine be removed or moved forward slighlty. With a big block and factory A/C I shudder at the thought of pulling the engine since everything looks new from the recent body off.

Lorne

[Chris W.]

Re: Keisler TKO600 Tranny removal question

I have a Keisler TKO600 tranny in my 67 that needs to come out for clutch replacement. The tranny was installed easily when the body was off the frame. I was told that it is impossible to remove this tranny without taking the motor out or moving it forward 5 or 6 inches, something that i really do not want to do.
A tranny shop suggested cutting the mid section of the crossmember to allow easy in and out of the transmission. They claim they do this all the time and use reinforcing plates that bolt to the crossmemeber.
This sounds reasonable but what will it do to the value of my 67?

Does anyone have any experience in removing these transmissions?

Lorne

I would definately REMOVE THE ENGINE or MOVE IT FORWARD before I would let anyone cut on the crossmember. When it comes time to sell your car, a potential buyer will really turn up his nose at a crossmember that has been all cut up with some plates welded to it.

I have never had to remove a Tremek Transmission, but I have had cases where I have had to unbolt the transmission and slide it back and support it, and then unbolt the bell housing and the pressure plate and remove all three pieces along with the disc at the same time. This is very unhandy to say the least and it may require at least two people to do this. Something like this may also work with a Tremec.

I have a Tremec in my '65 and it also has A/C. If I ever have to remove it, I think I will remove the engine.

Good luck,

Chris

[Lorne G.]

Re: Keisler TKO600 Tranny removal question

Chris, thank you for your comments. I whole heartly agree that cutting the crossmember would be a major concern for any potential buyer and no doubt lessen the value of my vette. It was not a route that I really wanted to do.
It seems that I am going to have to bite the bullet and pull the engine but I think I will try to slide the tranny back, and remove the bellhousing and pressure plate all together as you mention. This must be the way the Keisler experts do it.

At this point I have nothing to lose.

Lorne

[John H.]

Re: Keisler TKO600 Tranny removal question

Lorne -

Not a fun job - I'd pull the engine.

[Joe R.]

Re: Keisler TKO600 Tranny removal question

Hi Lorne:

I just put a Tremec TKO 600 in my 67 small block a few months ago. I did the swap with the engine in the car, and in my opinion this was far easier than pulling the engine. However, two aspects made a big difference in simplifying the job:

1) Keisler supplied a fairly detailed set of step-by-step instructions that were invaluable. To get the Tremec in with the engine in place, you have to follow a very specific order-of-assembly sequence that is not intuitively obvious. Do not even attempt the job without detailed instructions.

2) I paid about $200 for a hydraulic transmission jack from Harbor Freight. I do not think I could have completed the job without such a jack. A key feature of the jack is the ability to alter the angle of the transmission as you raise and lower it. Since the Tremec has to be methodically worked into place and the clutch/bellhousing have to be installed with the transmission suspended about half way in, the transmission jack was virtually essential.


I actually installed and removed the transmission/bellhousing (without the clutch) about three times as I worked to resolve some interference issues before I did the final install. I got pretty good at doing it and got to the point where I could have the transmission/bellhousing in and out in less than an hour. The final install took longer because the clutch had to go in too, but that only added about an hour.