Factory shifter with a three speed auto transmission

[Chris]

Hey guys,

I think I know the answer to this already but I'm looking for you guys to confirm.

Frank learned that the Reynolds car actually had a three speed transmission in it (a Pop's secret) therefore he's wanting to build the tribute car in the same way.

Is it safe to assume that the factory shifter will work with a three speed transmission since it's not gated or indexed in the inside for any particular shifting pattern?

Thanks,

Chris

[Brian]

The 3-speed shifter is different and the handle will appear different.  The handle doesn't have the reverse lockout on it.  The mechanism also has one less "plate" in it--only has two eyelets hanging off the bottom for linkage to connect to instead of 3.  You could use the 4-speed shifter and just not connect anything to the reverse linkage tab and the shifter handle will have the T on it for the reverse lockout.  The linkage to the trans will be completely different though since it is a Ford Toploader 3-speed. 
 

[Mark Ascher]

Brian,

I think Chris is referring to a three speed auto shifter.
Maybe.

Mark

[Chris]

Yep.. sorry about that Brian. 

I was thinking that everyone on the site who has moved up to the newer transmissions has reused their factory shifters.   

Thanks,

Chris

[Brian]

Okay--I am on the same page now.
The people I have talked to that upgraded to at T400 trans used parts from a '67 GS shifter mechaism and console to make it work.  There are indents in the shifter mechanism that will be wrong, but somehow a part from the '67 can be used to fix this along with the indicator on top of the console with the positions for 3 forward gears instead of 2. 

[Brian]

And by the way, if they need a T400 nailhead trans, I have one out of a '66 Riv I will donate if someone knows a way to get it there.

[Chris]

Frank and Mike...

Looks like we struck out on the shifter but might have scored you a 400 Nailhead transmission if you are needing one.

I think that the console I sent you might work however the shifter as Brian said will need to come out of a 67 (I thought I'd heard this before somewhere).

How can we help you guys?

Walt, do you have a 67 shifter laying around that would go to better use in a 65 GS Tribute car.   

Chris

[Loren At 65GS]

The console is the same, the shifter is different. The indicator plate is also different. If I remember correctly, the hole in the floor is placed a bit different for the '67 linkage .

Loren

[WkillGS]

Yes, 67 shifter goes thru the floor in a different location. Requires a floor hump and rubber boot that is difficult to find.

I modified the 2 speed shifter in my blue '66 with great results.
First, you need to modify it to provide the extra travel for the 3 speed trans. Solution is to drill a hole in the thru-the-floor lever just below the original, and move the upper shift rod down to the new hole.
Second, the detents need to be modified for the new gear positions. I even added a detent plate for when the button is pushed DOWN for the 1-2 shift.
Thirdly, the linkage below the floor needs to be bent/ground down to provide as mush clearance for the ST400 trans as possible.
No pics on presently on file, but I could do so if there is interest.

Now-a-days, I just recommend buying the cable conversion kit from Shiftworks.
Their Cutlass kit looks like it may work on our Buicks:
http://www.shiftworks.com/cutlas.htm#cutlass66

[rwg65]

Hi Walt, I would be interested in some pics of your modification if it's not to much trouble.
Bob

[66GSconv.]

 Yes Walt I would like to second that if its not to much trouble thanks