One wire lock-up, 4 spd automatic w overdrive into A-body.

I went to the TTI website and got the measurements for the crank centerline in relation to the frame for an '68 A-body. They say the crank is 5 1/4" from the K-member and offset to the passenger side 2 1/2 " from between the frame rails.

I rented a plasma cutter for yesterday for $41 a day, and they gave me until Tuesday to return it and only charged me for 2 days. Who ever invented that thing is a life saver!

I made some cardboard templates for the rear transmission mount, and bought a 1 foot by 2 foot piece of 1/4 inch steel plate for $22. I transferred the patterns onto the plate and had them cut out in 1/2 and hour. I love that thing! I would have spent a couple days cutting and shaping the parts with a sawzall and a 4" angle grinder. I'll still have to do some more grinding to get them cleaned up and ready for welding, but It was so easy to use and saved me a lot of time.

I added some pictures of my cardboard templates and the rough cut metal parts that will become my crossmember.

I also put a picture of the stock cross member/ rear transmission mount next to the 1/4" plate so the difference in thickness of materials can be compared. I will have to make some bends in the boomerang shaped part to clear my exhaust and line up the mounting pad with the bottom of the rear transmission mount, but once hot bent, welded and gusseted it should add some considerable rigidity to the entire torsion bar crossmember.

I think I'll pop the motor/trans back out and remove that one corner at the top of my notch in the crossmember, so I have more adjustability of the crank centerline in relation to the rear pinion angle by being able to raise and lower the back of the transmission through a wider range by adding or removing shims from under the rear motor mount. As it is right now that top of the notch is the limiting factor for how far the transmission can go up toward the floor. I can gain about another inch of travel upward if I modify that top part.(last pic)

Treblig, It does look like the transmission needs to go over towards the passenger side to get it centered a bit doesn't it? I guess I can us a motorcycle tie down to get it pulled over once I verify the front of the engine is in the right spot.