Transmission / Overdrive: what purpose would this hole have, access for transmission assembly?

[bsrosell]

My 57 Golden Hawk came with this hole (and a tin patch panel screwed in place) in the transmission tunnel. The transmission had been replaced, (it was not the correct heavy-duty w/ oil cooler lines model) and I wonder if this hole was cut to help with the replacement of the transmission? Or why would someone do this? I recall seeing a similar cutout in a car on Ebay, and curious why someone would do that? My first thought was that someone had put a stick shift tranny in at some point, but it is too far forward for that.
Just curious. Next step is patching this and was wondering about it.

[whacker]

The side one is the access port for the transmission fluid level dipstick on the original transmission. Fluid level was to be checked with the car in gear and idling. Messy job, inside the cabin like that. Or do you mean the hole on the top? No idea on that one.

[bsrosell]

yep, the top one that was cut out with a torch is the one that has me puzzled.... I know about the tranny fluid access hole being original....

[StudeRich]

The Big hole on the top of the tunnel that you are actually asking about, could have been for a Automatic floor shifter, or as you said a Standard Trans. conversion, it's hard to say.

"In the day" many "hot rodders" would cut WAY too large a hole for those purposes.

The rear band can be adjusted thru the Fluid fill hole, so there is no need for that.

The bottom line is, it does not belong there, but it is what it is, just cover it and forget it.

[bsrosell]

could be.... I thought maybe there was some advantage (to someone trying to sling the tranny in without the body off) of the hole, for access. Crude, obviously...
I'll be putting the whole chassis, engine and tranny in before the body goes back on, so not interested in using it before patching it, was just curious why someone would do this.

[doug]

Could have been cut to access upper bell housing bolts. Not necessary but a potential time saver if the trans is in and out many times.

[ROADRACELARK]

The black panel further forward toward the firewall is removable in order to gain access to the upper bell housing attachment bolts. Hope this helps.

Dan Miller
Auburn, GA

[jclary]

It is a convenient opening that allows the snake living in the headliner to come and go...unnoticed.

[bezhawk]

It is a convenient opening that allows the snake living in the headliner to come and go...unnoticed.

Thats a good thing.....they eat the mice living under the rear seat.