Coupler Cover Design Ideas - Shorty Glide/Olds Rear

[Countn Carbs]

I've got a shorty glide coupled to an '59 Olds rearend and I'm in the process of designing a coupler cover.  Since the olds third member doesn't have bolts at the pinion like a 9", I had planned to CNC a steel plate that picks up 3 bolts on the back of the transmission and then have 2 halves of .125" wall steel tubing clamshell off the plate to extend back and cover the nose of the third member.   

I was reviewing the General Regulations before starting and noticed the last part of Section 2.4 states...."All covers must be securely mounted to the frame, suitable crossmember, reverser or third member."  I notice the back of the transmission is not an option and honestly I don't even know what a reverser is.

Before I start building cross members any ideas on design/mounting configurations?

Thank You Roo.
 
 

[225digger]

i made up an adapter that bolts to the back of the transmission....you could make something like this but another 5-6" longer, you would need to put the coupler in the trans before putting them together wouldnt be to hard.

a reverser is whats bolted to the back of a clutch can on a direct drive car to allow it to back up..... bolting to the back of the trans should be acceptable

[Countn Carbs]

That's a nice piece 225digger and good idea.  Also thank you for the insight on what a reverser is/does. 
My plan that I mentioned I thought was acceptable but I can't remember where I read or was told this but when I went to the regs to check for material thickness requirements and saw that and I was like hhmmm...now what?

[dreracecar]

Built a few of these

[Countn Carbs]

Great work Butch and another nice piece.  Thank you guys and sounds/looks like my original plan of going off the transmission is acceptable??

[dreracecar]

i made up an adapter that bolts to the back of the transmission....you could make something like this but another 5-6" longer, you would need to put the coupler in the trans before putting them together wouldnt be to hard.

a reverser is whats bolted to the back of a clutch can on a direct drive car to allow it to back up..... bolting to the back of the trans should be acceptable

 Although very nice, adding 5-6 more inches would be a lot of material to have to machine away besides that "Nugget" of base material that is expensive if you don't have a source of surplus material handy

[rooman]

Out of the shop today and just saw this. Mounting to the back of the trans is perfectly acceptable as noted in the earlier posts.

Roo

[225digger]

 Although very nice, adding 5-6 more inches would be a lot of material to have to machine away besides that "Nugget" of base material that is expensive if you don't have a source of surplus material handy

about 60.00 ebay drop special. and about 3 hrs of machining... but i agree, for what the OP is doing a flat flange and a welded tube like Roo posted would be a quicker and cheaper alternative.

ebay is a great source for cheap drops if you dont have a source locally

[dreracecar]

E-Bay is not consistent on material and not always have what you need(for grins I just checked) Being in LosAngeles, lucky to have sooooo many places to buy rem from for $2.50-$3.00 lb

[wideopen231]

Funyy thing about the material part of this. I tried for two months to find what I need in aluminum tubing.Finally fabricated one rollong .090 sheeting. Week later went to local salvage yard and they ahd stacks of brand new 20' lengths in 4,4.5,6,6.6 and 6 inch diameters. 3/16 and 1/4" thickness. Bought some and thought about buying cpl pieces 20' that would make a slip two piece unit. Probably still have them they only had about 50 of each size.

[225digger]

E-Bay is not consistent on material and not always have what you need(for grins I just checked) Being in LosAngeles, lucky to have sooooo many places to buy rem from for $2.50-$3.00 lb

good to know you have so many options in LA.... im in the sticks....kudos to you

[dreracecar]

If you know what you want, you could always ask me, short pieces are just a post office away

[wideopen231]

Funyy thing about the material part of this. I tried for two months to find what I need in aluminum tubing.Finally fabricated one rollong .090 sheeting. Week later went to local salvage yard and they ahd stacks of brand new 20' lengths in 4,4.5,6,6.6 and 6 inch diameters. 3/16 and 1/4" thickness. Bought some and thought about buying cpl pieces 20' that would make a slip two piece unit. Probably still have them they only had about 50 of each size.

 Got to be a up side to every town including LA.LOL