Cross member removal

[Bieb]

I am replacing my C4 with an AOD. One of the previous owners installed a 302/C4 combination. It appears that the PO cut out the cross member that also doubles as a support for the radius arms and welded it back. As you may know, I can not remove the transmission with this cross member in the way.

Rather than cut it again, It appears that I can remove the rivets that attach the radius arm bracket to the cross member and then remove the bolts that attach the cross member to the frame. I will use grade 8 bolts to replace the rivets on the radius arm bracket.

Each radius arm bracket has 4 rivets that attach to the frame in addition to the two that attach to the cross member. I do not plan to remove the ones on the frame.

Please let me know if this has been done before. I don't mind being the first to do this, but don't want to do it if someone else regreted doing it.

Thanks for the help.

[mrollings53]

There's no problem cutting the rivets out and replacing them with bolts.

[Bieb]

Thank you!

[michael69]

That is how me and many others had done it.Just be sure to use grade 8 bolts like you said.

[Brokenarrow]

I decided a long time ago that it's much easier just to pull the front clip when removing or installing an engine/tranny on these old fords.