Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: Greg55_99]
#119219
09/11/08 09:56 PM
09/11/08 09:56 PM
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Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
goldduster318
pro stock
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pro stock
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,482
Lake Orion, MI
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In an F-body, you don't have to worry about the torsion bar crossmember so much. So, therefore transmission tunnel and crossmember mods are easier to accomplish.
As a result, I would run a T-56 6-speed Trans. Quicktime makes a bellhousing for this.
'70 Duster 470hp 340/T56 Magnum/8 3/4 3.23 Sure-Grip
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: goldduster318]
#119220
09/11/08 10:45 PM
09/11/08 10:45 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 300
MA
Greg55_99
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My current set up is a big block F body with a stock 4 speed. It sits forward only 1/4" from the small block location. In fact, I only had to elongate the transmission mount slightly to get it in. I'm using a stock 10.5" big block bellhousing. I understand that Keisler can redrill what I have to fit the Tremec. At least, I think that's what I've heard. I want to keep it because.
1. I fabbed up a custom bracket to utilize the original clutch peddle set up... and don't want to change it..
2. Don't really want to cut up the floor too much. I'm not a purist, I have a welder... just don't want to do it if not necessary.
I've also got 3.91 gears out back. So... I was hoping the A body conversion would take me to 90% of what I want.
Greg
Last edited by Greg55_99; 09/11/08 10:47 PM.
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: Greg55_99]
#119221
09/12/08 09:50 AM
09/12/08 09:50 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227
Tennessee
rj8806
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Tennessee
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Greg: I think I am the one who talked to you when you called us and like I said on the phone (and Gene stated), if you can get me a measurement from the engine to bell mating surface, down the centerline of the tunnel, to the center of the shifter opening in your floor, I can see if we can get the shifter position right. If not exact, i can tell you how close we can get it. As stated, the cross member, possible tunnel modification and driveline angle would be up to you but we can certainly take care of the rest of the parts and pieces to help you on your quest.  Let me know what measurements you come up with and we can go from there. Richard Tech Support
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: 446acuda]
#119224
09/13/08 06:30 PM
09/13/08 06:30 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 300
MA
Greg55_99
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I didn't get the chance to measure the distance from the front of the bell to the center of the shifter opening, but, I did go out and eyeball my existing big block setup... Also took a pic... It looks dead center to me. I think the A body stuff would work as is...
Greg
Last edited by Greg55_99; 09/13/08 06:31 PM.
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: DoctorDiff]
#119226
09/15/08 02:26 PM
09/15/08 02:26 PM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227
Tennessee
rj8806
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Quote:
Original 4-speed transmissions/linkage interchange between A and F bodies.
So you're saying the tunnels are identical between the 2 body styles? The modifications needed on an A-body are the same for an F body? The shifter location on an A body is the same as an F body? The driveline angles are the same as well?
If there were an F body car close enough to us to do some R & D on and the demand for this were enough, I'm sure we could come up with a kit for it. 
Richard
Tech Support
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: Greg55_99]
#119228
09/16/08 08:34 AM
09/16/08 08:34 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227
Tennessee
rj8806
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Tennessee
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Quote:
The answer is "yes". The engine\transmission hard points are identical between the A body and F body. I won't say the floor pans are identical, but are pretty close. The A833 transmission I'm using in my big block F body came out of an A body. The clutch linkage is also the same. The original overdrive transmission in my F body was swapped into an A body. As I've said before, when I bolted the big block into my F body, I used stock big block motor mounts out of a 74 Charger with a 400. The only mod required was to elongate the transmission mount holes on the mount bracket less than a quarter inch for the whole thing to drop in.
Greg
Very good information, thank you. Now if we only had access to an F-body car, I'm sure we could come up with a kit for them. 
Richard
Tech Support
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: rj8806]
#119229
09/16/08 12:04 PM
09/16/08 12:04 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 14,889
up yours
Supercuda
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I swapped an A833 into my Diplomat, which is essentially the same as an F body as far as this swap goes.
I used an A body A833, an A body bellhousing, A body clutch fork and linkage frome the Z bar to the fork. I used a Hurst Indy shifter spec'd for the A body. I did have to trim the crossmember slightly to clear the linkages, mostly (I think) because the M body would have come with an A833OD instead of an A833 which changes the routing of the 3-4 linkage.
I used an F body 4 speed hump, pedal assembly, Z bar and linkage (from the pedal assembly to the Z bar).
This ws in an 87 Diplomat, which never had a stick as an option, though the earlier (81 and older?) Diplomats could have been ordered with one. But under the skin it's pretty much the same so I was able to retrofit an A833 into it.
So, if you made an F body kit it should fit the M and J bodies too, in fact it should fit any of the transverse torsion bar cars made, from 76-89. Not sure what the market would be though.
I suspect this swap would be easier in some cases (trans crossmember) but possibly harder in others (clearing the factory cat might be an issue). I dunno, sold the Diplomat a few years back so I don;t have it around to look at anymore.
They say there are no such thing as a stupid question.
They say there is always the exception that proves the rule.
Don't be the exception.
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: Supercuda]
#119230
09/18/08 10:43 AM
09/18/08 10:43 AM
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Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 227
Tennessee
rj8806
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Once again, that is more great information, thank you. To date, we do not have a kit for the F-body cars either but like I said before, if the interest was there(responses from you guys), I'm sure the boss would look into it. Richard Tech Support
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Re: Keisler TKO for Big Block F-body?
[Re: Diplomat360]
#119233
09/18/08 01:17 PM
09/18/08 01:17 PM
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Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 300
MA
Greg55_99
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Quote:
How many pieces would you need to sell to make this project a 'GO'?
My '80 & '81 coupes are identical to the same year F-body chassis. Prior years' the F/M bodies stayed the same as well.
For my part, I would be interested in the small block version...too easy to make a SB run like it's bigger brother...so I question the effort of trying to stuff a BB in there.
You won't find me questioning it...
Greg
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