Should the 5spd touch the top of the tunnel?

[Ryan_71-02]

Its a 5spd conversion on a 75 automatic. I'm using Varco's tabs and a homemade, modified, 4spd crossmember. I think in the pursuit of getting the driveshaft as straight as possible, the 5spd now sits too high. I'm going to try shimming the 5spd crossmember and the center bearing using fender washers, but was really curious-- HOW close should the box actually sit to the top of the tunnel?? Is it a tighter fit as you get towards the center bearing on automatics? The wierd part is that if you look at the shifter platform mounts after you tighten up the little rubber mount to the tunnel, they are getting really stressed and look as though they'll lastr a couple of months before failing. Does anyone on the board know what I'm talking about? I tried the search but came up with nada.

Ryan

[tkent02]

for the driveshaft to line up it needs to be high, there is a bolt on top that hit the tunnel on mine. I hammered a dent in the top of the tunnel at that point and ground down the bolt a bit, it's still close. Not sure what you are talking about on the mounts. Got Pics?

[02turbo]

I don't know what 5-speed you've got, but mine's a Getrag 240, and yes it's a tight fit. Here's what I did to make sure it came in the right place: With the old 4-speed still in the car I measured the height from the center of the output shaft to the top of the tunnel. The same measure was used to fabric the new mounts. On the G240 I had to grind off the mounting on the rear top ( see pic)