Don't do it. Even if you never plan on selling it, just don't do it. Those drums have made it 50+ years the way they are.

What type of mount is it? I'm guessing it's a rail mount?

You can always replace the "bolt" with a wingnut if you don't want to keep using a wrench. In regards to the snare stand method, sometimes it helps if you:

A. Use a flat base snare stand so you can get the vertical tube really close to the bass drum

B. Try one of these:

http://www.gaugerpercussion.com/flex-frametrade-snare-stand-isolation.html

As another method, you can always mount the tom off a cymbal stand with a multi-clamp. There are several companies that make 3/8" (9.5 mm) L-arms on posts that will fit into multi-clamps.

I repeat:

DON'T DO IT!!!! There are several other options for tom mounting available, as described above.

Thanks for the quick reply. I believe I was subconsciously hoping for a response along those lines. I love that kit like a family member, and I'd prefer not to make any irreversible changes to it. It is a rail mount as you surmised. I like the wing-nut suggestion and will give it a try. I may also try the flat-base snare stand. If that will get the tom closer to the bass drum, I could possibly get used to it. It would also help me with another problem. I'm left-handed, and if I do a multi-band gig where I have to share my kit, the switch-over for a right-handed drummer is a hassle. Moving a tom stand from one side to the other would be easier than moving the mounted tom.

Had a similar concern with my downbeat. One ludwig vibraband and a ball mount, and done!.

Looks good in the pic. Nice Downbeats. What brand of cymbal/tom stand is that?

Tama RoadPro