Throwback Thursday: Silver Sport Transmissions Discusses Installation Questions

I hope you’re ready, because another Thursday is already here. That means another week is almost over, and it’s time for another Throwback Thursday. This week, I thought we would take a look back to March 2019. That’s when we worked with the good folks at Silver Sport Transmissions (SST) to help answer some manual-overdrive install questions many enthusiasts might have.

The article, titled Silver Sport Transmissions Discusses Common Installation Questions clears the confusion about aspects of an upgrade, like bellhousing alignment, hydraulic clutch adjustment, driveline angles, and proper measuring for driveshaft length.

When it comes to bellhousing alignment, you might not think it’s a big deal. It is! This is a crucial step when installing a transmission, and if it is skipped, a multitude of problems can occur. Those problems could include transmission failure. Some might think installing a brand-new steel scatter shield negates the dial-in procedure. It does not. There is also a video in the original article showing how to complete the task.

Silver Sport Transmission

What is your bellhousing dial-in measurement? Successfully performing the measurement and making adjustments as needed verifies the proper bellhousing-to-crankshaft alignment, which typically eliminates the drivetrain vibration or noise.

Hydraulic clutches are a modern feature that many enthusiasts are incorporating into their hot rods. But if it’s not properly adjusted, it will not function properly. Many hydraulic clutch systems are removed because the functioned incorrectly due to improper installation.

Measuring for a driveshaft should be easy, correct? It is if you follow SST’s instructions. While there is more than one way to measure for a driveshaft, it is important this measurement be consistent for accuracy and efficiency. Some customers may question why they have to perform these measurements, but with SST assembling hundreds or even thousands of kits for the same car, they have the data to back up the reasons for the measurements.

If the bellhousing is properly dialed-in but you still feel vibrations and noise, the driveline angle could be the culprit. According to the SST techs, “there’s a sweet spot where the engine is tilted within spec and the driveshaft is at an angle not too extreme or too flat.” If the vehicle operated fine for years and has recently begun to vibrate, SST recommends checking the rear axle housing-to-driveshaft angle as it could have changed due to the springs sagging over time.

silver sport transmission

Correct driveline angles are manufacturer-specific and are designed to offer the smoothest and most efficient driveline operation. The operating angles must be in proper alignment in relation to each other.

The original article even talks about driveline-angle apps developed by Silver Sport Transmissions’ CEO, Jack Silver, and TREMEC for both iOS and Android. Both apps will help the customer to measure the driveshaft angles and offer adjustment suggestions.

There is a lot more interesting and sometimes surprising information in the original article, and you really need to check it out. It gives a perspective about what to expect when upgrading to a manual overdrive transmission. Since there is a lot more information in the original article, I felt, Silver Sport Transmissions Discusses Common Installation Questions would be a great article for this week’s Throwback Thursday showcase. Enjoy!

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Randy Bolig

Randy Bolig has been working on cars and has been involved in the hobby ever since he bought his first car when he was only 14 years old. His passion for performance got him noticed by many locals, and he began helping them modify their vehicles.
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