Steering Column Interchange 65 to ????

[blackdart66]

Hey all,

I am going to put an overdrive trans in my 65 Newport. The steering column in the 65 is kind of a hybrid in that it uses the traditional column shift we are all used to, but then uses cables similar to a push button trans for shifting.

I am wondering if a 66 or 67 C body column will bolt in so I can use mechanical linkage to shift the overdrive ?

Or should I just use a conversion cable from Imperial services and adapt that to the 4L60E trans ?

I should mention. switching to a floor shift is not an option I want to pursue right now.

Thanks for your help !

 

[C Body Bob]

I have a partially disassembled column from a 65 Newport with auto & column shift. If you need some parts to make your conversion work PM me & maybe I can help

 

[commando1]

A GM tranny in a 65 Chrysler?
Best of luck. Sounds very ambitious.

 

[68plymouth383]

Yeah the 65 are kind of a hybrid car. They were the first year of c bodys. One would assume 66-68 would work. If you're making a gm trans fit in a mopar I don't think you'll have much issue with whatever column you select.

 

[C Body Bob]

I've seen this done with a toggle switch.

 

[twostick]

I've been told the plate where it goes thru the floor is different between 65 and 66. That should be fairly easy to resolve. Whether the wiring is the same between the 2 I've forgotten. I talked to Nigel at National Mo-Parts about this a while back when I was thinking of swapping the 493 into our Poly powered Polara wagon. He's a C-body guy and a member I believe.

http://nationalmoparts.com/

Kevin

 

[blackdart66]

I am really getting confused now. lol. Getting the trans in is no problem. Several vendors have them that will bolt up to the 496. Shifting the darn thing reasonably priced is the issue. Silver sport does offer an electronic push button shifter that I could put just about anywhere and then use a floor shift column, but the thing is $1200 bucks. Ouch !

 

[commando1]

I'm going to come out sounding like an *** but, why are you even doing this in the first place.

 

[68plymouth383]

I'll even second commando1 comment. The 727 3 speed torque flight has been around since the dawn of time. I mean if your set on the garbage motors trans I'd get the special new fangled shifter apparatus.

 

[blackdart66]

No Problem on the "why ?". It is just a matter of wanting my cake and eat it too. The Newport is my version of a resto mod with the 383 bored and stroked to 496 ci, vintage air, disc brakes etc, etc. The issue is that the car with 3;55 gear s and this motor kind of make it a beast to drive and cruise in very comfortably out on the interstate. It runs great, and all that, I just need another gear to make it act more docile when I am in that mood.

 

[BJS racing]

I don't know what you are planning on using to control the trans but take a look at this. I have it on my every day driver and am actually looking to do the very same thing you are doing on yours and will run this on it if I do.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/p.php?s=66501&sb=Go!

 

[commando1]

No Problem on the "why ?". It is just a matter of wanting my cake and eat it too. The Newport is my version of a resto mod with the 383 bored and stroked to 496 ci, vintage air, disc brakes etc, etc. The issue is that the car with 3;55 gear s and this motor kind of make it a beast to drive and cruise in very comfortably out on the interstate. It runs great, and all that, I just need another gear to make it act more docile when I am in that mood.

I can understand the 3.55's driving you nuts.
Seems like Gear Vendors OD unit would make more sense.
Someone I know installed one on his NYB and loves it.

 

[commando1]

I don't know what you are planning on using to control the trans but take a look at this. I have it on my every day driver and am actually looking to do the very same thing you are doing on yours and will run this on it if I do.

http://www.painlessperformance.com/webcatalog/p.php?s=66501&sb=Go!

I dunno.
May work perfectly but using all those parts sourced at Home Depot seems a little crude.