Keisler 5-speed conversion on Early A-body: Install has begun

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Oh man, I can't wait to some day get a manual in my Duster. I'm planning to use a hydraulic clutch system like that with a 4-speed.
 
Heck, why dont you just toss in the floor carpet, looks like everything is done in the cabin? What else do you have left to do in there?
Its gonna be a fun ride, keep her commin.
Almost forgot, can you measure the dimensions of your battery and battery tray? Im not sure if i have room up front for my battery up front next to the hemi and I dont have a battery tray or battery handy to test fit it. Im not sure, but my water hose may be in the way of a battery. Thanks
 
I had an issue on my motor and I had to pull it. While it was out I decided to redo the torsion bar crossmember support. I cut the top part of the old one completely out...

new brace old brace.jpg
 
And make a new upper crossmember support using some steel plate and some steel pipe. I heated up the pipe with a torch and using the cut out piece as a template, bent the pipe to this shape...

upper trans brace.jpg
 
And it fits great!! I have lots of room for the transmission, and it feels very solid. Also easier than cutting a notch out of the crossmember and then welding something back in. I have sent copies of these to Keisler to see what they think.
 
Granny's Duster said:
I had an issue on my motor and I had to pull it. While it was out I decided to redo the torsion bar crossmember support. I cut the top part of the old one completely out...
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I hear you man. I was pulling my hair out because it fit just fine in my parts/donor car. Wack and hack. I like the loop you made nice work. I bet you could get a T-56 in there that way. I was lucky I could just raise and lower the drivetrain from the bottom. Would have been really bad going in from the top.
 
DAVE loks good man,,is that a keislier handle??? it sorta looks like a 67-69 barracuda console handle,,,

grannys duster,,,i would love to see some pics of that hoop installed,,please,,
 
fstfish 66, sorry I didn't take any pictures after I got the hoop welded in. I guess I was too anxious to get the trans back in. I can tell you that I would do it this way next time. Depending on where you weld the tubing to the plate (I welded mine on the back half), you can easily get your fingers around the top of the trans.
 
I remember you're advice when I was welding mine. I made it work for me but your way does look like and improvement. This thread is really becoming more helpful with other people adding comments.
 
What do you use for motor mounts? I have had to use a earlier driver side truck motor mount only [no rubber isolater] instant solid mount.
 
GREAT JOB, DAVE! *Drooling*
I am scared to death after reading on your SAGA... mine is still in the box since April of last year.
 
Hey Dave, how did you go about routing the brakes lines in the engine compartment? The lines I have were way too close to the headers so I routed all the lines inside the wheelwell. The line that ran across the firewall was rerouted to the front of the K member.
 
dart4forte said:
Hey Dave, how did you go about routing the brakes lines in the engine compartment? The lines I have were way too close to the headers so I routed all the lines inside the wheelwell. The line that ran across the firewall was rerouted to the front of the K member.
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I'll take some pictures to you. I ran a line across the firewall but ended up bending it away from the headers without much issue. All the other lines were pretty simple.
 
daves66valiant said:
I'll take some pictures to you. I ran a line across the firewall but ended up bending it away from the headers without much issue. All the other lines were pretty simple.
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I went ahead and ordered some more SS line. I'm going to re-do the front brake lines so that it doesn't look so hacked up. I routed my front lines since the car will have to pass tech. On a 4 speed car without a scatter shield you have to re-route the line that runs across the firewall. I ran mine to the front of the K member. You also have to armor up the brake lines as they pass by the bell housing.
 
dart4forte said:
I went ahead and ordered some more SS line. I'm going to re-do the front brake lines so that it doesn't look so hacked up. I routed my front lines since the car will have to pass tech. On a 4 speed car without a scatter shield you have to re-route the line that runs across the firewall. I ran mine to the front of the K member. You also have to armor up the brake lines as they pass by the bell housing.
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I guess I'm good to go then since I have the Lakewood scattershield. My setup turned out very very clean. I did not use a stock distribution block. I used some T's right off the master for the fronts. The rear line is separate and it goes straight back to a proportioning valve on the rear frame rail. I did armor my lines as the passed under the front frame rails and throught the frame crossmember to the rear. Goodluck with the tech inspection.

Yeah the SS lines look pretty but are a pain to get that way.
 
daves66valiant said:
I guess I'm good to go then since I have the Lakewood scattershield. My setup turned out very very clean. I did not use a stock distribution block. I used some T's right off the master for the fronts. The rear line is separate and it goes straight back to a proportioning valve on the rear frame rail. I did armor my lines as the passed under the front frame rails and throught the frame crossmember to the rear. Goodluck with the tech inspection.

Yeah the SS lines look pretty but are a pain to get that way.
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I ordered raw stock so I can start on the lines from scratch. I have a line lock, also a distrabution block at the M/C so the lines make different bends and curves. I'll shoot you some pics when I get it done. The fit of the torsion bars are a little tight but I guess I'll have to live with that. While I have it on the lift I need to shim for the correct pinion angle since it's a little on the negative side. I may bring the car down to SpringFling if my buddy follows me down with his trailer. I still need the Charger there since I'm still trying to sell it. I won't have it driveable so it will be in the under construction category. I was trying to get with TTI to see if they would like the car displayed in front of their booth.
 
Sounds cool. You'll see my car this year. I've been thinking about the line lock for burnouts but have heard about putting it near the rear. This would work out best for me because everything is so cramped already near the M/C. Hope to see the Dart and the Charger sells. Sorry still no pics yet. Next week.
 
daves66valiant said:
Sounds cool. You'll see my car this year. I've been thinking about the line lock for burnouts but have heard about putting it near the rear. This would work out best for me because everything is so cramped already near the M/C. Hope to see the Dart and the Charger sells. Sorry still no pics yet. Next week.
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It should be located as close to M/C as possible. How about bolting it to a bracket attached to the M/C?
 
Did this three years ago before Keisler made it "easy". You won't regret it, it transforms the vehicle. Only thing I still don't like about the Keisler setup (I can see it in your pics) is their hydraulic master: it wouldn't work with Doug's headers. I ended up using a standard 7/8" Wilwood unit and McLeod hydraulic throwout. Looks like they did a nice job kitting it otherwise though.

Cheers!
 
SILVER FISH very kool,what clutch and pressure plate did you use? and did you remove the upper hoop of the cross member or rework it???
and what is the RPM drop in 5th gear ?? thanks
 
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