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A-body guys.. question

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Old 03-24-2008, 11:12 PM
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Default A-body guys.. question

What are you guys doing for shift linkages for automatics, i havent quite figured it out yet and was wondering if any of you guys have some advise or experience with it. BTW its a column shift im looking at modding.
Old 03-24-2008, 11:20 PM
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FWIW I swapped a 200-4R into my 73 buick years back (it had a TH350). I was able to use my column shifter. It's been a while but I think changing the linkage on the trans makes it possible.

I think there are kits out there. Hit up the trans builder of your choice.
Old 03-24-2008, 11:32 PM
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thx, yea it'd be easier if i was using the older style trans like you mentioned but im using the 4l60-e so thats another story..lol
Old 03-25-2008, 06:34 AM
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i am sort of going thru this now in my 69-i want to use my col. shift, but with the hooker headers, the collectors hit right where the orig piece of cross linkage goes from the frame to the trans-i called Shiftworks, as i remember they had a piece of linkage to convert w/o the belcrank/cross shaft
it is kind of universal, but they tell me it is pretty infin. adjustable, in other words, it can be adjusted to match the "ratio" needed to match up the trans to the column-i ordered one should be here soon, then i will see how it works out-right now i have a 400, but one day plan on using my 4l80e(i might dummy it in and see how the link. works for it)
Old 03-25-2008, 08:30 AM
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I just installed a Ls1 & 4l60e in my 65 cutlass. The column shifter hooked up just like it did to my 2 speed jet away. No mods required. I removed the fork off my 2 speed trans and it bolts direct to the 4l60e. The only problem I had is I can't shift it into 1st manually. I'm going to try and adjust my column housing tube to allow the shifter to reach 1st but if I can't I don't see a big deal cause the trans want stay in first on a hard launch anyway. It will shift itself at RPM weather your in the 1st select or not. In my case my trans fail in line with my shifter linkage arm. By shear luck I guess. The shift indicator pointer on the dash even lines up with reserve, neautral, & drive(OD now). I was wandering how I could fix that but it worked out for me as is. Shift works has indicators for chevelles, novas, camaro's etc for the 4 speed od. I wasn't so lucky they don't make the cutlass version.
Old 03-25-2008, 08:56 AM
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Originally Posted by 91parkave
thx, yea it'd be easier if i was using the older style trans like you mentioned but im using the 4l60-e so thats another story..lol
So, the shift linkage outside the 4l60-e is different from its cousin the 700-4r?

You could put on those cool paddle shifters, then you would still shift from the column (electronically).
Old 03-25-2008, 11:32 AM
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well in my case the shift linkage for the 70 tempest which was using the Th-350 trans when i got it, is completley diffrent from the 4l60-e that i have now.

Noob question though,
So the fork thats in the th-350 that the shift linkage hooks up to, can that bolted to the 4l60??? well hell i try it out in a little while. see what happens.
Old 03-25-2008, 11:36 AM
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We used the lokar universal steering column shifter linkage for our conversion, it is adjustable on works nice in combinations where there is not much clearance.





Lokar


http://lokar.carshopinc.com/product_.../65499/ACA1804
Old 03-25-2008, 02:59 PM
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On my '68 Cutlass LS1/4L60E I had similar experience to others above. I took the connector gizmo off the side of the TH350 and it bolted right on the 4L60 where the ball type had been.

As the horizontal portion of the linkage pivots it bumps into my Hooker swap headders. I think I get Park, N & Drive but not more than that. I mght be able to bend or move something to get more travel. I'm happy for now but something from Lokar migh be in my future.

Eric
Old 03-25-2008, 03:42 PM
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If you check some of the Restoration parts (year one, NPD, Ground up) catalog, I have seen kits to cover the stock shifters from the TH350 to a A4.. I will see if I an find it again..

I only have the Paddockparts catalog here at work.. but they have part # sc224 and SW10B to convert to TH200R4/TH700R4 and Overdrive trans.. $70-$80 for the kit for Console conversion.

So. there are ktis out there.. just another option...

Last edited by bczee; 03-25-2008 at 03:48 PM.
Old 03-25-2008, 09:00 PM
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The company that makes the shifter kits is called "Shiftworks".Check the back of your magazines or look them upon the web.

I used one of there kits to convert my Chevelle's SS shifter from a Powerglide to a 200R4.Slick kit.Make sure to use a GM shift cable.I broke 3 after market cables in the 1st 4 months.The GM cable has been in it since 04.



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