TKX Interference Problem

[IV_Joe]

Good Morning,
So I’ve sort of been in a holding pattern the last few months waiting for my engine to be finished. My kit is an MK4 with IRS and the 302/351 motor mount option. To keep busy I borrowed a 302 bare block from a friend to do a drivetrain mockup. This way while waiting I could go ahead and assemble the bellhousing, motor mounts, and transmission just to check for fit. I’m glad I did. I ran into a problem I’d like the forum’s opinion on. My transmission is a Tremec TKX part number TCET18085. 26 spline input shaft with .72 5th gear ratio. The problem is that a small tab on the side of the transmission case interferes with the welded on bracket for the emergency brake handle on the passenger side of the trans tunnel. This is keeping the engine and transmission from seating properly in the chassis. See pictures. I haven't posted in a while so hopefully they are attached. I looked around the forum for someone with a similar situation without any luck. If a post exists on this already and I just missed it, I apologize.
I was thinking about resolving this in two ways. Maybe the bracket on the chassis is not in the correct position? So I was going to bend the bracket outboard towards the passenger seat a little. Maybe about a quarter inch or so, nothing extreme. Additionally, I was going to cut that small tab off the transmission case. To the best of my knowledge, it does not serve any purpose in our application. Those two together should allow the drivetrain to get where it needs to get and still allow parking brake handle function. Thoughts? Opinions? Advice? Thank you for your time. TRANSMISSION3.jpgTRANSMISSION2.jpgTRANSMISSION1.jpg

[Jeff Kleiner]

There is a similar tab on the T5 which has to be removed. It's used to hold the trans when on the assembly line and serves no purpose in our cars.

Jeff

[JJK]

you can cut the tab off but I found when I added spacers to the tail of the transmission to set the pinion angle the tab cleared the ebrake bracket

[rich grsc]

What Jeff said. cut it off