Possible to attach original column gear selector/indicator with floor shifter

73SC · A Poncho Legend!

Possible to attach original column gear selector/indicator with floor shifter

willismcbillio · Member

So heres the story: previous owner of my 56 Laurentian swapped out the front seat for 2 buckets, put in a floor shifter and pulled the shift handle off of the column. The floor shifter is similar to a hurst promatic shifter with no plastic console around it, connected to a TH350.

As of now I have no gear indicator, neutral safety switch nor reverse and would like to use the column's gear indicator. I *could* reattach the steering column shifter to the transmission, but I will need to find pretty much a new column as the old one had been hacked apart. And if I do that and take out the floor shifter, I'll feel inclined to find a replacement bench just because... (I also like the buckets).

As of now I have no reverse nor neutral safety switch (existing floor shifter is garbage) so I'd like to attach the neutral/reverse switch to the column and replace the old floor shifter with something like a Lokar floor shifter to keep it cleaner and classier, while having the column shift indicator correctly indicate the current gear. I'd clean up the steering column to remove the old column shifter opening as well. I'd prefer not to go to another hurst-type console shifter as I find them bulky and they dont look good in a 1950's auto.

Decisions, decisions.

Question is: Can I have the steering column's shift linkage attached to the transmission, shift with a floor shifter and still have the gear indicator change on the column? The issues I see are whether or not I can attach 2 sets of linkages to the transmission, the resistance from the column and the floor shifter when trying to change gears and whether or not the linkage can 'change the steering column' when I use the floor shifter. I can't see it being an issue, but if anyone has tried this or has insight, feel free to speak up. And for the purists, please forgive me for what I am planning on doing, but I feel it is better than the existing setup :)

willismcbillio · Member

Yeah the indicator's clear lens plate is easily swapped out and I have a replacement ready to go in. The indicator is on the top of the column itself.

Thanks for the info guys. I figured it wouldnt be an issue but I havent done anything with a floor and column shifter at the same time so I'm just being cautious!

JC2+2 · Poncho Master!

When you are all done you would still have that ugly hole in the column the shifter came out of. Just saying.

davelacourse · Poncho Master!

jc wrote:
When you are all done you would still have that ugly hole in the column the shifter came out of. Just saying.

Not really - you can buy an aftermarket column collar that does not have the shifter hole:

Smooth Steering Column Shift Collar Housing.jpg

Paint to match, of course.

Dave

67BBSD · Canadian Poncho Superstar!

73SC wrote:
Any floor shift car I ever had from the 70's and 80's moved the column when shifted and my late model car is floor shift and also has shift indicator in dash.

-- Edited by 73SC on Tuesday 29th of May 2012 10:07:42 PM

ditto-its the proper way to hook it up-

the70judge · Guru

It will move if the linkage from the column is connected to the transmission linkage ..

Here is what mine looks like

http://www.ebay.com/itm/1968-1969-1970-71-72-PONTIAC-GTO-Column-To-Transmission-Linkage-Reverse-lock-Out-/221017034910?pt=Vintage_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item3375a4509e&vxp=mtr

and I have the stock PMD floor shifter on my Goat

davelacourse · Poncho Master!

willismcbillio wrote:
Question is: Can I have the steering column's shift linkage attached to the transmission, shift with a floor shifter and still have the gear indicator change on the column? The issues I see are whether or not I can attach 2 sets of linkages to the transmission, the resistance from the column and the floor shifter when trying to change gears and whether or not the linkage can 'change the steering column' when I use the floor shifter. I can't see it being an issue, but if anyone has tried this or has insight, feel free to speak up. And for the purists, please forgive me for what I am planning on doing, but I feel it is better than the existing setup :)

The linkage is moderately complex, several unique brackets and rods, and if a prior owner has removed it, redoing it could be a problem.

You have a valid concern about resistance - the system was originally designed to have the energy applied to the shift lever by the drive, which caused everything else to move. Now you are wanting to do it in the reverse. Cars from the 60's and 70's that had floor shift with display on the dash were engineered differently to do that - not like yours.

You may want to use the matching Lokar shift indicator lights - you can see them on their website:

http://www.lokar.com/product-pgs/shift-indicators/shift-indicators-pgs/ledboot-dash-ind.html

... scroll through the photos - I like the one that is attached to the shift boot.

Also, you should look at the original 1956 factory assembly manuals to see how the linkage actually was - for example, here is what is inside your dash that moved the indicator (there are 6 sheets that show different parts of the linkage, including throttle kickdown for 'passing gear'):

Keep in mind your car's mechanicals are Chevrolet, hence the Chevy factory assembly manual applies. You can find it here - go to the section "RPO 313 - Automatic Transmission"

http://www.trifive.com/garage/56%20Chevy%20index.htm

Dave