Trans Mount Alignment Problem

74 cj5 with 258, t15/dana 20. In the reassembly phase of a restoration. Motor is on the mounts on the frame, bellhousing, trans and transfer case all mated up, but my trans mount is sitting about an inch too far to the rear. Also my bellcrank pivot that mounts to the bell housing looks to be about 1/2 inch rearward from where it should be.

Any idea what im missing?

mount is positioned wrong in the photo but has been corrected and still sits too far back

 

Since the T-15 came with the V-8 and is longer I’m guessing that is your problem. The 232 and 258 came with the shorter T-14.

 

On my 74 with a 232 there was a spacer behind the ball crank pivot about a half inch thick. I swapped a 304 and didnt need it. are there any other holes in the frame where the crossmember mounts? when i swapped the four speed in i used a second set of holes that were already in the frame.

 

This jeep did originally have the 304 but was swapped to the 258 long before i got it. The jeep was fully assembled when i got it, so these parts all fit when i took it apart. Maybe the engine mounts were set slightly ahead of center?

 

Just thinking out loud. Did you get any new motor mounts that might be different? is it Possible that the crossmember could be turned around if you had removed it for some reason? Any possibility the crossmember is bolted into a different set of existing frame holes? Any other holes in the trans case for the trans mount to trans? I am thinking it is probably something your just overlooking with the motor and trans being the same units you removed. get your self a chair and a cold brew, sit there a while and look at it a while. I bet you will see it.

 

Im starting to think that the motor mounts were set in the frame bracket one hole ahead of center when i got it. Originally had a 304 but was swapped to a 258 before i got it

 

I never moved my mounts i would look at the crossmember

 

Some of these "T" transmissions had a plate that bolted to the trans case and the crossmember to make up for the offset you are showing in your photos. This plate would have a slight bend or wave to it and be made out of very heavy material. Do you have that plate lying around somewhere ? (if in fact it had one at all)

 

Any chance you have a picture of that plate?

 

From what I see in your picture, you have the cross member backwards. Or is that what you meant you corrected above? I know this because I just put mine back in. I would bet that none of your holes are lining up until that cross member is reversed.