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How important are the engine to transmission struts? #1456628
06/22/13 06:17 PM
06/22/13 06:17 PM
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eastern, pa.
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cudabitten Offline OP
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Hey, this might be a dumb question as I do not like leaving out things like braces etc... The trans to engine brace on the passenger side does not fit since I added headers, and the driver side is too short since I swapped the 360 for the 318.
Everything else is bolted in place except for these braces. I might be able to grind or cut the passenger brace to clear the headers.

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: cudabitten] #1456629
06/22/13 07:16 PM
06/22/13 07:16 PM
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Rio Linda, CA
John_Kunkel Offline
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I'm sure the majority of responders will tell you they've been running for XX years without them and "never had a problem".

The unsupported portion of the small block bellhousing hangs below the block more than the big block does and needs the support...decide for yourself.


The INTERNET, the MISinformation superhighway
Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: John_Kunkel] #1456630
06/22/13 07:22 PM
06/22/13 07:22 PM
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Posts: 15,487
Florida
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scratchnfotraction Offline
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most headers do not fit with them in place.

this may be the deciding factor for most people.

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: scratchnfotraction] #1456631
06/22/13 07:31 PM
06/22/13 07:31 PM
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People's Republic of Mass.
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Belvedere2 Offline
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I run the brace on one side only. Same deal headers don't allow the other. I do however run a torque strap; the solid Schumacher one. No issues.....yet.

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: Belvedere2] #1456632
06/22/13 07:50 PM
06/22/13 07:50 PM
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NEW JERSEY
AARCONV Offline
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AARCONV  Offline
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It runs without them..done it for years

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: cudabitten] #1456633
06/22/13 09:58 PM
06/22/13 09:58 PM
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Blair County,PA
62maxwgn Offline
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They're there for a reason !!

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: cudabitten] #1456634
06/22/13 10:33 PM
06/22/13 10:33 PM
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S. Il. U.S.A.
5spdcuda Offline
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That's an intriguing question. On one side is the fact that Chrysler [ or any other manufacturer for that matter ] never spent the money to put a part on a car if they didn't think it was necessary. At the same time they didn't put them on manual trasmission cars which were subjected to higher shock loads. All I can say is that lots of people with headers do without one or both braces and they don't appear to have any problems that can be attributed to the lack of a brace[s]. FWIW when I had my old Duster with a 727 and TTI headers I modified the factory brace to fit. Pretty sure it was the right side brace that I altered.

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: 5spdcuda] #1456635
06/23/13 09:19 AM
06/23/13 09:19 AM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 21,345
Marysville, O-H-I-O
70Cuda383 Offline
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Quote:

That's an intriguing question. On one side is the fact that Chrysler [ or any other manufacturer for that matter ] never spent the money to put a part on a car if they didn't think it was necessary. At the same time they didn't put them on manual trasmission cars which were subjected to higher shock loads. All I can say is that lots of people with headers do without one or both braces and they don't appear to have any problems that can be attributed to the lack of a brace[s]. FWIW when I had my old Duster with a 727 and TTI headers I modified the factory brace to fit. Pretty sure it was the right side brace that I altered.




I was going to say the same thing.

even on the 97-04 Dakotas, the automatic trucks had block to lower bell braces. Manual trucks did not get these braces.


so...why are they there on some trucks but not on others? what exactly are they supporting?


**Photobucket sucks**
Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: 70Cuda383] #1456636
06/23/13 09:57 AM
06/23/13 09:57 AM
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Florida
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scratchnfotraction Offline
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Quote:

Quote:

That's an intriguing question. On one side is the fact that Chrysler [ or any other manufacturer for that matter ] never spent the money to put a part on a car if they didn't think it was necessary. At the same time they didn't put them on manual trasmission cars which were subjected to higher shock loads. All I can say is that lots of people with headers do without one or both braces and they don't appear to have any problems that can be attributed to the lack of a brace[s]. FWIW when I had my old Duster with a 727 and TTI headers I modified the factory brace to fit. Pretty sure it was the right side brace that I altered.




I was going to say the same thing.

even on the 97-04 Dakotas, the automatic trucks had block to lower bell braces. Manual trucks did not get these braces.


so...why are they there on some trucks but not on others? what exactly are they supporting?




looking at the thickness of the auto bell and the manual bell, the manual bell is thicker and more ridgid.

I have broke a auto bell before by running over cyprees knees/stumps in the swamps,cant say I have done that with the manual trans.

same reason the xfer comes with a ridged brace. I busted more than 1 alum xfer without them inplace

IMHO, you can run without them but you need to be ready to fix it at any giving time.

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: 5spdcuda] #1456637
06/23/13 10:19 AM
06/23/13 10:19 AM
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Florida STAYcation
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Quote:

That's an intriguing question. On one side is the fact that Chrysler [ or any other manufacturer for that matter ] never spent the money to put a part on a car if they didn't think it was necessary.







VERY true .... and the one item that comes to mind is the drain-plug on the 727 trans some years back ..... Mopar eliminated that plug because it saved (so I heard) FIVE CENTS per pan ......

...but there was another second MINOR reason. ANYone else know that ?

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: dIc dOc Deity !] #1456638
06/23/13 10:22 AM
06/23/13 10:22 AM
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Lost and Spaced
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bboogieart Offline
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Quote:


VERY true .... and the one item that comes to mind is the drain-plug on the 727 trans some years back ..... Mopar eliminated that plug because it saved (so I heard) FIVE CENTS per pan ......

...but there was another second MINOR reason. ANYone else know that ?



Have to drop the pan so no excuse for not changing filter during service.


I have mechanical Aptitude.
I can screw up anything.
Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: bboogieart] #1456639
06/23/13 10:25 AM
06/23/13 10:25 AM
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Florida STAYcation
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Kinda' close ... but no ceegar ?...

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: scratchnfotraction] #1456640
06/23/13 11:37 AM
06/23/13 11:37 AM
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Bitopia
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jcc Offline
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Quote:



I have broke a auto bell before by running over cyprees knees/stumps in the swamps,cant say I have done that with the manual trans.





We finally have an answer to a decades old question on moparts, when approaching cypress knees with an auto, make sure you install your struts. Thanks Mike


Reality check, that half the population is smarter then 50% of the people and it's a constantly contested fact.
Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: jcc] #1456641
06/20/14 01:25 PM
06/20/14 01:25 PM
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Posts: 673
Kennewick, Wa.
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71vert340 Offline
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Kennewick, Wa.
I wanted to bring this topic up one last time. Did all 318, 340, and 360 cars come with these engine to bell struts ( braces)? Was it just the automatic cars? Was it dependent on whether it was a B-body, e-body or A-body? Did the 1970 - 71 cars have them? I remember them being on my 74 auto Charger but not on my 71 manual trans e-body car.

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: 71vert340] #1456642
06/20/14 03:04 PM
06/20/14 03:04 PM
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Park Forest, IL
slantzilla Offline
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I can tell you that on a Slant/904 drag car with a trans brake leaving that brace off will result in the bellhousing breaking off the case.


"Everybody funny, now you funny too."
Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: slantzilla] #1456643
06/20/14 03:57 PM
06/20/14 03:57 PM
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Kennewick, Wa.
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71vert340 Offline
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I guess I'll ask these questions also. What are the people restoring small block cars and the survivor cars doing with these struts? Are they on the cars? Has anyone noticed them on the survivor cars? It appears some of the racers are using them
Terry

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: 71vert340] #1456644
06/20/14 04:02 PM
06/20/14 04:02 PM
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Dayton, WA
wesgtx440 Offline
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Terry,

I restored an all original 71 340 automatic RR and it had the braces that you are referring to. I did put them back on the car as well.

Wes

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: 71vert340] #1456645
06/20/14 04:15 PM
06/20/14 04:15 PM
Joined: Mar 2003
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NEW JERSEY
AARCONV Offline
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I just bought a set..there must be dfferent ones...some are notched out..some not..must be year specific

Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: AARCONV] #1456646
06/20/14 06:54 PM
06/20/14 06:54 PM
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God's Country Maryland
GODSCOUNTRY340 Offline
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I know for a fact if you don't use them and your trans to engine bolts work loose, you will be replacing your broken flex plate before long. For added insurance use the supports.


I love the smell of Deer guts in the morning, it smells like... VICTORY!
Re: How important are the engine to transmission struts? [Re: GODSCOUNTRY340] #1456647
06/20/14 09:47 PM
06/20/14 09:47 PM
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Florida
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Anyone have pics of what these are and where located? Don't think I've seen them?

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