FFMetal Transmission Tunnel Cover - Coyote & TKX - what's the best way to measure?

[toadster]

First off, I have to say, I'm really bad at blind drilling locations (aligning something to come through a panel without being able to see it) - are there tricks?

Is there a general measurement that can be used for the FFMetal Transmission Tunnel cover to drill the shifter hole?
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The FFR cover comes with an oval shape

170959

with a coyote & TKX/TKO with the rear-shift location - would the hole in the FFMetal panel be closer to the front (as shown in the lower pic?)

what's the best way to get it centered?

[narly1]

I'm gonna reply without having direct experience with what you're trying to do.

For something similar I've used a pointed object (center punch, nail, pencil, kebab skewer, etc.) and Plasticine aka modelling clay.

You fix the pointy thing to the center of the spot on the fixed part (in this case the shifter stub) where you want the hole in the other part (in this case the tunnel cover) to be located and a blob of the modelling clay on the moveable part (cover) in roughly the right spot.

Fit/press the two pieces together and the pointy thing leaves an impression in the modelling clay to start making your opening from. Start small, sight down through the hole to make sure it's centered, and adjust accordingly as you open it up.

Modelling clay also works good for measuring clearances between components. Squish it between two parts as they are put together. Take them apart, remove the clay slice it apart where the two parts are closest and measure the thickness.

How's that for a tip?

Earl

[Papa]

I used the FFR cover and additional flat parts to fit and establish the proper hole location. I then made a cardboard template from that that I used to transfer the hole location to the FFMetal cover. You could also just use a sheet of cardboard cut to the shape of the cover. Get that to fit the way you want and transfer to the new cover. Either way, be sure to position the hole where you get full shift motion through all the gears an reverse. Don't make the hole larger than the inner opening of the trim ring.

[GoDadGo]

I've got a goofy shifter location so I had to use the FFM trans tunnel cover.
I simply made a template using Poster Board Card Stock as Papa Dave described.
You can see the raw panel with the shifter popping out of it between 2:45-3:00 into the video below:

https://youtu.be/V38Jajo_qOQ

[JohnK]

Here's how I did it...

Start by installing the shifter handle, and use the center of the handle as your center point for your measurements, not the center of the shifter stub (since the shifter handle is mounted to the side of the stub). Then just measure a distance front-to-back and side-to-side from the center of the shifter handle and locate that point on the FFMetal trans tunnel top. From there measure out your radius for the hole and you're good to go. Here you can see the measurement marks on my tunnel cover.

https://thefactoryfiveforum.com/attachment.php?attachmentid=155706&d=1636166005

[toadster]

so I'm hearing - wait till the transmission is in to setup the hole, I assume the FFR oval is big enough for most shifters and engine/trans combos - correct?

[JohnK]

I'd wait not only until it's in but until after you've set pinion angle/engine alignment, as this could shift the transmission around a bit.

[GoDadGo]

I'd wait not only until it's in but until after you've set pinion angle/engine alignment, as this could shift the transmission around a bit.

Great Point Indeed!

[Windsor]

... I then made a cardboard template from that that I used to transfer the hole location to the FFMetal cover. You could also just use a sheet of cardboard cut to the shape of the cover. Get that to fit the way you want and transfer to the new cover.

This.

Using cardboard templates saves a lot of headaches and is much easier on your wallet.

[John Ibele]

Funny you should ask. This was my end result last night:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/52287849544_2d5a54c1cd_b.jpg (https://flic.kr/p/2nEuTZj)
Untitled (https://flic.kr/p/2nEuTZj) by John Ibele (https://www.flickr.com/photos/familycobra/), on Flickr

I don't have the FFMetals cover, but I did have to make some adjustments in location of the hole and want to have nothing but a flat, smooth surface elsewhere to lay down leather, so I plugged the hole in the FFR kit cover.

I didn't put nearly as much thought into locating the hole as some described, but I did stick with Papa's last two sentences of advice:



I used the FFR cover and additional flat parts to fit and establish the proper hole location. I then made a cardboard template from that that I used to transfer the hole location to the FFMetal cover. You could also just use a sheet of cardboard cut to the shape of the cover. Get that to fit the way you want and transfer to the new cover. Either way, be sure to position the hole where you get full shift motion through all the gears an reverse. Don't make the hole larger than the inner opening of the trim ring.

I also have more sticking up above the top cover plane than JohnK shows in his photo, so will have to do a couple notches outside my 4" dia. hole. But with some simple measurements with the tape measure, I got within 1/16" or so of where I wanted to be for hole center. Good enough for under the shifter boot. The most critical piece was figuring out fore and aft position of the cover without having marked anything before plugging the hole.

... editted to confirm that I did have my driveshaft alignment done before marking for the hole, as mentioned ...

[Jeff Kleiner]

I'd wait not only until it's in but until after you've set pinion angle/engine alignment, as this could shift the transmission around a bit.

Precisely the correct answer!

Jeff