CALVINO architecture studio
Mike Calvino, architect

This piece is a frame cross member that had to be re-formed.  Originally, there was a cross member here that went down below the original engine & served as the transmission mount bracket.  This member now does not support the engine/trans. at all but had to be here for structural reasons.  The spacing between cross members would have been too great without it.  So a new one was fabricated from 2 1/2"x3/16" square tube & fitted to the ends of the original member which was cut out to accommodate the new engine/transmission.

Note the rod in the foreground.  It is the parking brake actuating rod & its mounting bracket I had to make which mounts to the new NV4500 trans.

Here is the new clutch system, the original was a mechanical linkage system & the new is a hydraulic unit that fits a GMC 3500.  The mounting plate allows adjustment to align the pushrod.  I had to machine a new pushrod that also allowed more length adjustment on the lathe.  So far, so good.

Note the pto at far right for the future hydraulic pump & generator.

A completely fabricated, insulated exhause hanger just below, & the torque increasing x-pipe, 2 1/2" dual exhaust at lower right.  The hi volume Fram  fuel filter & the Purolator elec. Fuel pump at right.

And also the electric shifter for the 2 speed rear-end was an original 6V unit, but evidently that was an anomaly because the Chelsea unit had a much more common 12V motor that was readily available at a local powertrain shop & bolted right in in a matter of 3 minutes.  So there it is, working for now, I had a problem with a ring not seating for about 350 miles or so, blowing oil all over the place but the ring finally seated &  . . . Dare I say it, so far, so good.

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