58 cross member installation

[Dave Johnson]

After trans replacement front cross member will not line up. It has angled flanges with 3 bolts on each side. Any ideas?

[Bruce Reynolds # 18992]

Ah ha, sounds like you have the engine mounts fitted to the wrong sides of the lugs on the block.

Try undoing them and repositioning them.

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le),
60 CDV

[Dave Johnson]

Bruce. I drive this daily I never touched the motor mounts. Just jacked it up ,dropped the trans and replaced.

[Bruce Reynolds # 18992]

Gee Dave, then I cannof assist you any further.

Hope you get it sorted out.

Actually, did the guys that serviced the trans put the correct extension back on, or did they mix up parts with someone elses transmission.

Or, if you have the old trans still, compare the reat extensions.

Bruce,
The Tassie Devil(le)
60 CDV

[Tom CLC #21641]

Dave , I have the same problem and I only took it off to clean and repaint it.Let me know if you figure anything out.

[Paul Flykt CLC # 18899]

It sounds like the same problem when I was putting the transmission back in my 57. It took an extra set of hands and alot of prying ang tugging to get the bolt holes lined. If I recall correctly we jacked the transmission up a little, tipped the top of the corss member foward and were able to get one bolt started on each side and then rotate the cross member up into place and put the last bolts in. It was like the cross member was just a fraction of an inch too long or the frame had pinched together. I did not have a problem getting it out but getting it back in was difficult.

[Ralph Messina CLC 4937]

Dave,

I had the same problem you, Tom and Paul described, but I was never able to solve it. After thinking about now, I wonder if the cause is flexing of the frame. I did the engine and trans on my ’57 Eldorado using a two post lift picking the car up at the four wide pads on the X frame. This is only a WAG, but given the shape of the frame and cross member, the slightest bending would prevent the cross member from seating correctly. You might try finding and using a ramp type lift that picks the car up on its four wheels. Please post your results when you find something out.

HTH,
Ralph

[Rhino 21150]

Im guessing here: Looking at the picture of the cars frame in the shop manual I think that the frame would squeeze together with that cross piece removed if you picked up the front of the car under the wheels. Here is the guess part: lift the car with a floor jack under the front engine cross member and the frame may spread back the way it came. Good luck!

[Paul Flykt CLc # 18899]

I do not know if this helps the forensics or not. I dug out some pics my wife took of our project. I had jacked up the car at the front cross member and supported it with jack stands under the frame in front of the A arms.