[mwritter]

After jealously following this thread for months, check out what UPS delivered today! By chance, my 10-week backordered Baer brakes came in at the same time, so my UPS guy hauled 8 boxes weighing a total of 490lbs to my door. I offered him some advil.

[Pontiacmuscle]

Let me know if you need a forwarding address Matt ........ Hey! That engine stand looks familiar....
Santa was definitely good to you. Congrats......

[jeffmort]

That stuff looks familiar. Let us know how it goes and call us with any questions.
Take care.

[6567GTO]

Originally Posted by mwritter

After jealously following this thread for months, check out what UPS delivered today! By chance, my 10-week backordered Baer brakes came in at the same time, so my UPS guy hauled 8 boxes weighing a total of 490lbs to my door. I offered him some advil.

Very cool Matt! Way to go! Keep us updated.

[mwritter]

Funny this thread should be ressurected just when I needed it. I just cut the hole in my floor on Monday night, using the template from CC5S. It wasn't a big deal for me, as the previous owner had already replaced the driver's floor and hacked up the tunnel in the process. My only real difficulty was dealing with the two giant rolls of dynamat that I had previously installed. That stuff is not meant to be removed, even by force.

Anyway, I test-fit the floor patch provided and everything looks good. Here's my question: do I need to reinstall the factory shifter porch? It doesn't seem necessary, and it would appear to need major work to fit the contours of the modified floor. My concern is that I will be using the factory console, and just by the look of things, I'm concerned about it fitting over the modified floor correctly.

[gearbanger]

I did the conversion on my 67. I do not use a console but I am now in the process of installing the porch so I can use 4-speed carpet and so I can use a smaller shifter boot kind of like factory cars with no console used. I think if you used a console you would have to fit it to the new floor and you would definitely need to use the porch. This is why in my posts about my conversion, I said I thought the best way would be to cut the entire tranny tunnel out and raise it up 1"-2", enough to clear everything. That wasy all contours would be correct and the console and porch would fit as intended.

[mwritter]

Thanks gearbanger, I'll have to do some test-fitting before putting it all back together.

I see your point on raising the tunnel, but I still think you'd run into trouble with the shifter porch, since about 60% of it rests on the original floor pan. I guess you could modify that as well, in order to raise it up a bit.

[gearbanger]

I have a shifter porch coming in a few days. I'll post pics of what I run into.

[6567GTO]

BTTT,

Any updates Matt or gearbanger? How do you like it?

[mwritter]

Funny you should post this - I just installed my console on Sunday and the shifter porch wasn't needed in my application. In fact, I can't see how any part of it would be useful. Well, techinically this was a test fit, but everything clears. But a word of caution, I started from scratch in a car that didn't originally have a console (was auto on the column in fact). I started with the carpet out, and mounted the console mounting bracket to the factory console and slid the assembly over the McLeod offset shifter and modified original shifter arm. I then moved the console around until all 6 gears enganged and disengaged without hitting the console. Then I attached the console mounting bracket to the floor to secure everything. And then I took it all apart. I just wanted that done before I finished re-dynamatting.

I've now got my engine and dash wiring completed, and my gauges work. I wanted oil/temp gauges prior to firing the engine in the car and breaking in the trans. The 421 was broken in on the stand. As soon as I get the chance to pick up 5gals of 93, I'll be breaking in the trans. Hopefully this weekend - it's been almost a year since I bought the TKO, and more than 3 months since my engine was completed.

[6567GTO]

Good deal! Glad you're getting close! Thanks for the update and the tips.
Phil

[GTOGreg]

Not to bring up an old thread, but just curious as to why CC5S went to the Blackjack Hurst shifter from the McLeod? Is it a better design?

Also, can anyone comment on the recent quality of the sheetmetal supplied? Is it the one pice or a two piece?

I'm very much considering a Tremec as I have been logging quite a few highway miles and 3K RPM for long periods can't be all that good ont he motor (or my ears frankly). I want the most factory look and to be able to re-install my 4 spd console.

[marauder]

I received my kit from them yesterday. Not sure about why the shifter change but it is a 1 piece sheet metal patch panel. It looks to be a fairly stout grade but I can't tell you which.

[jeffmort]

Regarding the Blackjack shifter, we designed and created the Blackjack shifter and made, what we feel, were improvements over what was the McLeod Slik Stix shifter. We added serrations to the stub so that the handle better grips the stub, we made the throw slightly shorter, and we used a Delrin ball and coil springs as opposed to the belleville washer approach.

Long story short, B&M (who now owns McLeod as well as Classic Motorsports Group & Hurst) decided to sell the entire McLeod Slik Stix shifter line and go with the Hurst Blackjack instead.

That said, they are both good quality shifters and should serve you well.

[GTOGreg]

Originally Posted by jeffmort

Regarding the Blackjack shifter, we designed and created the Blackjack shifter and made, what we feel, were improvements over what was the McLeod Slik Stix shifter. We added serrations to the stub so that the handle better grips the stub, we made the throw slightly shorter, and we used a Delrin ball and coil springs as opposed to the belleville washer approach.

Long story short, B&M (who now owns McLeod as well as Classic Motorsports Group & Hurst) decided to sell the entire McLeod Slik Stix shifter line and go with the Hurst Blackjack instead.

That said, they are both good quality shifters and should serve you well.

PM sent to you Jeff

[GTObsessed]

Great Thread!

What does this set up cost?

[marauder]

With the complete kit and some upgrades I'll have about $5K in it.

That's going from an automatic to a TKO600.

[GTOGreg]

Going from a 4 spd to an .064 TKO 600 is about $3300-$3500 if you use your own linkage/bellhousing, about $500-$600 more if you want those upgrades.

[6567GTO]

BTTT
Just an update: To this day the trans performs flawlessly. I've never regretted doing this install.