[mrl]

I have a 62 Pontiac Stratochief(similar to a Bonneville) that came with a SBC coupled to a powerglide. I will be swapping in a mildly modified big block Chevy for more torque, since this is a fairly heavy car. I was thinking of installing a 700R4 to replace the PG since it has an overdrive gear, therefore I could go with a fairly low ratio rear end and retain some decent gas mileage on the highway. My question is, I would like to retain a stock appearance both inside and out, can the stock column shifter work with this tranny, since the PG is a two speed and the 700R4 is a four speed? Would I be able to manually shift through all the gears? Maybe there is a custom bellcrank that would alow this?

 

[Richard Ellis]

I had a 50 Ford that had a flathead originally & was "converted" to a 302/C4.....the linkages I had to fabricate as the throw was different from one to the other.....the selector indicator was another concern...It was all purely fabrication & experimentation, I seriously doubt somebody "makes" one specifically for your application....Time for you to do some REAL customizing...no bolt-ons here!
________________________________________________________Rick........

 

[Henry Highrise]

Measure the length of your column....then hit the bone yards and measure some GM columns on some vehicles that used a 700R4 trans. If you can find a column the same length ...then you can swap it out...this way you have the right shifter and could even have a tilt.

 

[xntrik]

I'm pretty sure that there is a detent kit for the GM column shifters as well as a renumerated indicator. Sorry, I don't have specifics handy.

Check Year One, Lokar, and you might cruise the ads in Street Rodder Magazine, Super Chevy, CarCraft, etc.

It is a common thing to do now-a-days.

 

[mrl]

Measure the length of your column....then hit the bone yards and measure some GM columns on some vehicles that used a 700R4 trans. If you can find a column the same length ...then you can swap it out...this way you have the right shifter and could even have a tilt.

Yeah, I thought about that, but chances are this new column would probably have the ignition switch within the column, for the steering lock. The stock ignition switch is in the dash. Appearance wise, having two switches may look strange. Also this newer column would not look stock. Good idea though, thanks.

 

[mrl]

I'm pretty sure that there is a detent kit for the GM column shifters as well as a renumerated indicator. Sorry, I don't have specifics handy.

Check Year One, Lokar, and you might cruise the ads in Street Rodder Magazine, Super Chevy, CarCraft, etc.

It is a common thing to do now-a-days.

Thanks for the leads. I entered "shift detent kit" in google and bingo!

http://www.shiftworks.com/index.html

I believe these guys have what I'm looking for.

 

[poncho62]

I went from a powerglide to a T350 in my 62 Parisienne........I am using the stock column shifter. You can feek the trsns clicking into the 3 gears, but the numbers don't quite line up. I just set it so drive was on the "D"...

Another concern I would have with the 700R is its length...........It may be long enough that it will hit the "X" frame....Better measure for that first. The T350 fits fine, just had to shorten the drive shaft.

BTW...are you a member of the Canadian Pontiac Club?

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/thecanadianpontiacclub/

 

[mrl]

I went from a powerglide to a T350 in my 62 Parisienne........I am using the stock column shifter. You can feek the trsns clicking into the 3 gears, but the numbers don't quite line up. I just set it so drive was on the "D"...

Another concern I would have with the 700R is its length...........It may be long enough that it will hit the "X" frame....Better measure for that first. The T350 fits fine, just had to shorten the drive shaft.

BTW...are you a member of the Canadian Pontiac Club?

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/thecanadianpontiacclub/

Holy Shoot! Good point, I hadn't thought of the longer length of the 700R4. I was really hoping to have an overdrive gear. I guess my only option would be a Tremec. What about a lock up torque converter? Doesn't it reduce the rpm's on the highway or does it just simply lock the final gear (1:1 for a TH350)?

BTW, yes I am a member of the Canadian Pontiac Club: a62strato. Great site.

 

[mrl]

I went from a powerglide to a T350 in my 62 Parisienne........I am using the stock column shifter. You can feek the trsns clicking into the 3 gears, but the numbers don't quite line up. I just set it so drive was on the "D"...

Another concern I would have with the 700R is its length...........It may be long enough that it will hit the "X" frame....Better measure for that first. The T350 fits fine, just had to shorten the drive shaft.

BTW...are you a member of the Canadian Pontiac Club?

http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/thecanadianpontiacclub/

Poncho,

I am going with the th350 swap. By how much did you shorten the driveshaft. I figure about 2". Does that make sense? The PG mesures around 25.5" and the th350 with 6" tail is 27.7". Also, does the transmission mount have to be moved back or does an adapter/plate have to be fabricated?

Regards.

 

[poncho62]

I don't remember how much I had to shorten it......15 years ago. Best to put it in, and them measure how long a shaft that you need.

The tranny mount is in the same spot as the Powerglide.

 

[mrl]

I don't remember how much I had to shorten it......15 years ago. Best to put it in, and them measure how long a shaft that you need.

The tranny mount is in the same spot as the Powerglide.

ok, thanks. Your Parisienne was for sale, did you sell it yet?

 

[poncho62]

ok, thanks. Your Parisienne was for sale, did you sell it yet?

No....found a job instead, so am keeping it for a while.

 

[grandpaws 57]

Aod

On my AOD swap into my 57RWag. The AOD has it's detents internal,so we were able to use bell crank from donor car.By having adjustment from 59 two speed colume too belcrank and from belcrank to trans with HEMI joints all gear postion came thru.Yea,I know it's a FORD!!!!

 

[AutoBodyGod]

Yeah, I thought about that, but chances are this new column would probably have the ignition switch within the column, for the steering lock. The stock ignition switch is in the dash. Appearance wise, having two switches may look strange. Also this newer column would not look stock. Good idea though, thanks.

I installed a later GM column in my 61 ventura. Cut out the key switch area and fill it. You'd never known I did mine if I had not mentioned it. Mike

 

[mrl]

I don't remember how much I had to shorten it......15 years ago. Best to put it in, and them measure how long a shaft that you need.

The tranny mount is in the same spot as the Powerglide.

The th350 is in. I bought the proper transmission yoke for the th350 (the powerglide had less teeth on the output shaft). Now I need to shorten the driveshaft. What is the minimum length that the trans yoke must be into the tailshaft of the th350?