COMPLETE setup to convert 65 GS from automatic to 4-speed manual

[Brian]

I am going to have to disagree with Walt's last post.  The hump from a Chevelle that is correct for a GS is the hump WITH a console.  The one to the far right in his link--part number RST-76D is the correct one.  The one in the link is not specified as with or without console, but every other site/catalog I have seen it in before lists it as the one for a car "with console".  If you order one for a car WITHOUT console, they will send you part number RST-76A.  Made that mistake before and had to send it back. 

  Here is one on Ebay:  http://www.ebay.com/itm/64-65-66-67-Chevelle-El-Camino-4-Speed-Hump-Panel-WC-/371428598426?hash=item567adea29a&vxp=mtr

[WkillGS]

Thanks for the correction Brian.  While i did mean the 'low' hump, I called it by the incorrect name.
The Skylark GS used the low hump in both no-console and consolette equipped 3 and 4 speed cars.
Chevelles used the higher hump only in their non-console cars.

[cwmcobra]

This looks like a timely discussion for me.  My 4 speed restoration was converted from automatic to 4 speed during it's first restoration.  When I took it apart, I found no hump added on the tunnel, just a hole in the floor with the boot screwed to the tunnel and the consolette over top.  I assume this is incorrect and I also need to pick up a hump, correct?  See attached pictures from disassembly.

Thanks,

Chuck

[WkillGS]

Yes, The GS had the hump spot welded to the floor. The Chevelle repo is correct for our GS's, as is the 'under console' boot and retaining ring.

For GS's without a consolette, a different shifter boot was used....it's not being repo'd.

[Mark Ascher]

☕️

[BuickGS65]

Any chance we can archive or flag Brian's initial post of this thread -- to use as a reference guide?

[cwmcobra]

Does anyone have a picture of the finished product?  Proper 4-speed shifter and boot with Consolette installed over top?  With and without the top boot, if there is one, please.

Thanks,

Chuck

[Brian]

Here are some with it complete.  Note that the tach housing barely clears the bottom of the AC duct under the dash.  You have to remove the console before you can remove the AC duct.  Makes the dash a real pain to work on. For example, say you need to change the blower motor switch in the heater controls.    Remove the shifter handle and consolette to get the AC duct out, to get the glove box out to get to the nuts on the back of the dash pad to get it out so you can remove the plastic surround from the instrument panel to get to the screws for the bezel around the heater controls so you can remove the heater controls to access the switch. 

[cwmcobra]

Thanks Brian.  Am I correct that this is with the lower boot only and no boot installed in or on the consolette?  That's what it looks like to me.  And was there a second boot in the consolette originally?  From what I've read there was, but no one repops them.

Second question.  If installing a consolette on a non-manual trans tunnel, it's best to locate the mounting holes after the shifter and boot are installed, right?  My consolette was mounted, but there was no shifter porch installed, so I'm thinking the location might be different after installation with the porch.

Chuck

[Brian]

Both of those pictures are with the upper and lower boot installed.  You can't see the lower boot once the consolette is installed.  The boot you see in the pictures is the upper boot.  I am not really clear on your question and what parts you are talking about?

[cwmcobra]

Sorry I wasn't clear with my questions.  I was reading through an older thread about the two boots used with the consolette and thought I read that the lower boot is available as a repop, but the upper boot that is used with the consolette is not.  I guess I envisioned the lower boot just sticking up through the hole in the consolette with no upper boot installed, since that boot isn't available.  But you have both boots installed, so you've educated me!  So, how/where does the upper boot mount to the consolette?  My car did not have the upper boot.

My other question was related to whether I need to fill holes in the tunnel where the consolette base was mounted.  This was originally an automatic trans car with the 4-speed and consolette swapped in later.  However, the swap did not include installation of the shifter porch (hump).  So, I'm thinking that I should just fill the existing holes for the consolette base in the tunnel and refit and drill it after the shifter hump is installed.  This is really unrelated to the question about the boots.  Sorry for the confusion.  Probably too much of me thinking out loud!   

I'll go back and reread the thread about the boots to better understand.

Thanks again,

Chuck

[dsags]

Chuck,

Here's a pictures of the lower boot mounted and the lower half of the consolette in place. Both boots are reproduced, however, the upper boot is incorrect for our cars. Too shiny, but more importantly, the shifter hole is for a Hurst style shift lever. The upper boot is retained by upper and lower retainer plates. Top one is chrome plated and bottom is stamped black metal. These are not reproduced. Boot and retainers go over three tabs on the underside of the top half of the consolette.

In the second picture the upper retainer is not on. Hope this helps,

Dan

[cwmcobra]

Thanks Dan.  I think I've got it now!   

Chuck

[Brian]

Chuck,
  Take notice of how the carpet is folded back and screwed to the inside edge of the consolette on the drivers side.  There are two holes cast into the lower part of the consolette for the screws.  That is to hide the lower boot from view up under the edge of the console.

[cwmcobra]

Great tip.  Thanks Brian!