recommend shop west coast for 4 spd conversion?

[Bayareacharger]

hello, I have a 1969 Charger.  I have ALL the parts for a 4 speed conversion.  The reality is that I will not have the time or skill set to get it done.  I have not started anything and the car is restored and runs great.  Any recommendations for a shop near the San Francisco Bay area.  I am willing to travel to neighboring states if needed.  Can anybody recommend a good shop for this task?

[Kern Dog]

You posted this at FBBO so I'll respond here with the same sentiments:

See if you can contact a member of Mopar Alley. That is a car club located near San Jose. I'd bet that someone from the club there could refer you or offer to do the work.
I did a Vintage Air A/C job along with a Borgeson steering box swap for a guy in San Jose, a FBBO member and friend of mine. He got an exorbitant estimate so I did the work for him at a rate that was a fraction of the rate a shop would charge. I'm no pro but I know my way around a car and enjoy problem solving with car projects.
I would not know what to charge for an auto to manual swap as a regular guy. Shops charge upwards of $125 per hour and this is not a simple two day job. I'd be interested in hearing an estimated time for this. In 2021 I converted my Charger to a Tremec 5 speed. In 2023 I helped a buddy do the same. In both cases other work was done while the car was apart so it is hard to know an accurate time. These swaps included hydraulic throwout bearings and new drive shafts since the Tremec 5 speeds are actually shorter than a 727 or 833 manual trans. Having all bolt in parts other than the shifter hump does make it easier than the aftermarket overdrive transmissions.
To add, I'm the optimist that almost always thinks I can do something in two hours when sometimes a few snags are encountered and the job takes double that. If you do get some estimates, please come on back and tell the forum what you've learned. Your experiences may help out others as well.
Good luck with the car.

[John_Kunkel]

When you say you have "all" the parts, are they factory parts or parts in a conversion kit? One of the most challenging tasks using all factory parts is the outboard bracket for the torque shaft (Z-bar) tricky to locate properly and weld in place. Brewer's offers a bolt-on replacement or, if you're using a hydraulic conversion, no problem.

[Old Moparz]

When you say you have "all" the parts, are they factory parts or parts in a conversion kit? One of the most challenging tasks using all factory parts is the outboard bracket for the torque shaft (Z-bar) tricky to locate properly and weld in place. Brewer's offers a bolt-on replacement or, if you're using a hydraulic conversion, no problem.

John, when you say bolt on replacement, is that for this particular piece in the photo?

[70 sublime]

I think he is talking about the welded on bracket you have in that picture 
Not sure how easy it would be to weld on when a car has an engine in it but if changing transmssion the motor might be out anyways

[Old Moparz]

I think he is talking about the welded on bracket you have in that picture 
Not sure how easy it would be to weld on when a car has an engine in it but if changing transmssion the motor might be out anyways

I'm thinking the same thing but wanted to be 100% sure. If there is a bolt on version that can be substituted for the weld on one, then I'd get it. I did go to Brewer's website & only saw the weld on part. The one on my car is welded but mangled. I have a replacement but it's another weld on type. I'm not looking forward to replacing it since there's no room to get to it without yanking the motor.

[Daytona R/T SE]

Brewer's offers a bolt-on replacement.

I'd be very interested in this...

I also searched Brewer's site, couldn't find it...

Got a link?

   

[Bayareacharger]

I have all the factory parts, new from brewers.  I searched for the bolt in you mentioned but could not find it.

[John_Kunkel]

The bolt-on bracket is part of their Z-Bar kit, not sure if they would sell it separately...appears to bolt on to the area above the subframe.

[Old Moparz]

The bolt-on bracket is part of their Z-Bar kit, not sure if they would sell it separately...appears to bolt on to the area above the subframe.

Thanks. 

[metallicareload99]

The bolt-on bracket is part of their Z-Bar kit, not sure if they would sell it separately...appears to bolt on to the area above the subframe.

Fascinating, looks like they used ai to make that picture. The bolt on bracket sounds like a nice option for automatic cars

[Old Moparz]

I just emailed Brewer's & asked about a bolt on version & was told they only offer the OEM style of the weld on bracket. Oh well.

[Daytona R/T SE]

I just emailed Brewer's & asked about a bolt on version & was told they only offer the OEM style of the weld on bracket. Oh well.

Thanks for checking.

[Kern Dog]

Pulling an engine to replace a broken bracket is a pisser but I'm sure every member here is skilled enough to get this done. Good weather is here or is getting nearer for some. This is a great time to dig in and get it done.
Nobody is guaranteed another year, don't delay getting the stuff done so you can enjoy your car.

[DownZero]

Yea, doesn't look like a real photo. What good is a bolt with no threads.

[John_Kunkel]

Using the pic of the bracket, it wouldn't be that difficult to fabricate one,

[70 sublime]

I keep looking at the picture of the bolt on bracket and do not understand how it might be mounted on the car in the first place
It might just be all computer ideas and not real

[metallicareload99]

I keep looking at the picture of the bolt on bracket and do not understand how it might be mounted on the car in the first place
It might just be all computer ideas and not real

I guess maybe that plate could go on the outside of the frame, and then the plate with the ballstud would be clamped to the inside of the frame with the thread less bolts 

[John_Kunkel]

I keep looking at the picture of the bolt on bracket and do not understand how it might be mounted on the car in the first place
It might just be all computer ideas and not real

I'm guessing there is another hole behind the one marked in yellow below and the bracket bolts there.

[Daytona R/T SE]

After studying Brewer's website a little more, it appears that the bolt on bracket shown above is meant to bolt on to the bell housing on certain A bodies, and possibly some trucks...

[Kern Dog]

I may have missed it but....
Is there a hydraulic throwout bearing option for the 833 ?
My 5 speed Tremec has one and it is so much easier to live with than mechanical linkage. I just drove a 950 mile trip a few weeks back. Los Angeles traffic is what you've heard...lots of freeway stop and go. Manual transmissions are no fun in that environment but it would have been worse with an original 4 speed car.
The hydraulic throwout bearing would be a way around the using those brackets.
Good luck.

[John_Kunkel]

After studying Brewer's website a little more, it appears that the bolt on bracket shown above is meant to bolt on to the bell housing on certain A bodies, and possibly some trucks...

I don't think so, every factory bellhousing that I've seen has a threaded boss (or two) for the inboard ball stud. The bracket is clearly for frame mount and for conversions rather that stock replacement.

[Daytona R/T SE]

After studying Brewer's website a little more, it appears that the bolt on bracket shown above is meant to bolt on to the bell housing on certain A bodies, and possibly some trucks...

I don't think so, every factory bellhousing that I've seen has a threaded boss (or two) for the inboard ball stud. The bracket is clearly for frame mount and for conversions rather that stock replacement.

From Brewer's website:

Big block A body bellhousing bracket :

https://www.brewersperformance.com/product/bsb271k-bellhousing-ballstud-bracket-spacer-kit-big-block-a-body-1967-69/


The direct match to the photo you posted above...

Big block A body torque shaft service kit :

https://www.brewersperformance.com/product/ts252kit-torque-shaft-kit-1967-69-a-body-big-block/

[John_Kunkel]

OK, I missed the A-body reference. 

[Daytona R/T SE]

OK, I missed the A-body reference. 

I wish someone would make a bolt-in for Chargers/B bodies, it would make things a lot easier.