Guest mattblack Posted January 2, 2008 Report Posted January 2, 2008 I have a '52 Dodge I'm building and it has 3 on the tree with no overdrive right now. I'd like to convert it to a floor shift unit if possible. Is this a straight forward swap, or can't it be done? I saw on a thread where it said it uses a selector, like one lever would control reverse-1st, then when the other lever is moved the 1st lever would then control 2nd-3rd...essentially making the need for 2 shifters if on the floor? Any help is appreciated, thanks in advance. Quote
mackster Posted January 2, 2008 Report Posted January 2, 2008 I know it can be done with the three speed trannies. It CAN'T be done on the M6 semi-automatic trannies. (at least I couldn't do it!) you will need an early MOPAR shifter. this is the way to go. in other words don't go to the web and buy one for a chuvy or furd because it will not work. "sales pitch; I have one available if you need it. contact me." Mack G. Quote
greg g Posted January 2, 2008 Report Posted January 2, 2008 You can't do it with a universal 3 speed shifter because the linkage and pattern are different from the Ford GM style. There were some made years ago and they do come up from time to time on e bay and at swap meets. but not very often. Quote
bob westphal Posted January 2, 2008 Report Posted January 2, 2008 You could use a floorshift tranny from the 30s but I think the gear ratios are different from the newer gear boxes. Quote
Normspeed Posted January 2, 2008 Report Posted January 2, 2008 If you can find an old Mopar floor shift conversion it will work, but if you go to an overdrive later it won't fit with the OD. Seems like with all the technical/mechanical folks on the forum, someone ought to engineer a Mopar floor shift. Quote
crosleykook Posted January 2, 2008 Report Posted January 2, 2008 If that's a stock '52 dodge, you've probably got a fluid drive too... didn't all dodges come with either Fluid drive or automatics in '52? Quote
mackster Posted January 3, 2008 Report Posted January 3, 2008 crosleykook said: If that's a stock '52 dodge, you've probably got a fluid drive too... didn't all dodges come with either Fluid drive or automatics in '52? I think so, It will work with the shifter I have if it is a three speed. even if it is a fluid drive. Quote
RobertKB Posted January 3, 2008 Report Posted January 3, 2008 There is no way a floor shift from the 30's will work. It is part of the top of the tranny that bolts on and there is no way this would work with the side shifters on the later trannies. (I have both a '38 Chrylser and a '48 Dodge D25). A while ago there was a member that had and has now sold a 49 or 50 Plymouth woody wagon. This had a floor shift in it but it had been put in the car long before he had it. So yes, it can be done but it sounds like from the other threads they are hard to come by for a MOPAR. Good luck in your quest. Quote
dndrodshop Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 I made one and it works on the bench. Quote
mackster Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 dndrodshop said: I made one and it works on the bench. Welcome to the P15-D24 board. Your set up looks really interesting. The shifter I have has two arms and they attach to both levers as you shiftthru the gears. your shifter drops and picks up the levers to move the one you need. ARGGH! I will have to take some pitures tomorrow......Mack G. Quote
Plymouthy Adams Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 Mackster..from what I can see thus far the second lever at this time is floating with the top lever set up on a center pivot. That is one nice heavy made mounting adapter though...interesting to see how the second lever is going to attach as I do not see a second arm from the shifter to connect.. Quote
greg g Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 Hey Ed long time no see, where you been hiding? Quote
MiltYergens Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 In the 60's I bought a floor shift for old Mopars from JC Whitney (JCW called these selector transmissions). The top mounted shaft was operated with the forward/ back movement of the shift lever, however the side mounted shaft was actuated by tilting the lever from one side to the other. Meaning, both shafts were actuated for each gear selection. Quote
mackster Posted January 4, 2008 Report Posted January 4, 2008 It's an original Hurst can't tell the model but it's from back then. it has a selector lever like Milt Y.described...... and it's for sale!!!! Quote
dndrodshop Posted January 6, 2008 Report Posted January 6, 2008 The shifter for sale loods like a standard 4-speed shifter. The photo attached shows the second arm. When pressed to the side it shifts the Modifier Arm of the transmission. Made this from a Hurst Mystery Shifter. As far as being gone... Well, different projects, another car, work, etc... and I don't find this format as easy to drop in comment on. Quote
mackster Posted January 6, 2008 Report Posted January 6, 2008 dndrodshop said: The shifter for sale loods like a standard 4-speed shifter.The photo attached shows the second arm. When pressed to the side it shifts the Modifier Arm of the transmission. Made this from a Hurst Mystery Shifter. As far as being gone... Well, different projects, another car, work, etc... and I don't find this format as easy to drop in comment on. I also have a mistery shifter, I will use it on my tip toe shift M6 tranny. but it will be easier to use the other hurst for the side mount levers on the later three speed mopars. Quote
crazycasey Posted May 26, 2008 Report Posted May 26, 2008 I have a '53 Meadowbrook with a 3-speed column shifted manual. I know the Meadowbrook and the Coronet are the same...so my question is, is a '53 Coronet the same as a '55 Coronet...because if so this: http://www.jcwhitney.com/autoparts/Product/showCustom-0/Pr-p_Product.CATENTRY_ID:2001161/c-10101/p-2001161/Ne-600003730/N-111+10201+600003730/tf-Browse/sct-body/s-10101/th-StoreCatalogDisplay/ss-10101 Should fit and work for my Meadowbrook, and possibly a bunch of other early column shifted Dodge/Plymouth/Chrysler/Desotos...maybe...any thoughts! Quote
greg g Posted May 26, 2008 Report Posted May 26, 2008 When I got my 56 engine, it came with the transmission. the transmission had the basics of an old floor shift on it. I believe I sent it off to Lou Earle back about 4 or 5 years ago. Never heard if Louwas able to utilize it or actually mounted it to any of his cars. He may still have it in his parts cache. I believe it was for the selector stlyle transmission. I believe the 6 transmission is externally the same as the 46. Our Plymouth and Dodge three speed shifters work so much better than the ford and chevy units of the same period, I don't kow what advantage there is to changing to a floor shift. If you shift like I do grabbing the handle right down by the steering column, I am only moving the lever about 3 inches for each shift. When I had my 52 Concord way back when, I could powershift it with the best of the floor shifted cars. Most of my friend had those cheapy whitney units in their 54 55 and 56 chevys and fords. They were forever stripping lock nuts on the handles and readjusting their linkages. The couple of rich kids that had hurst shifters were the only ones the had and advantage. Quote
crazycasey Posted May 26, 2008 Report Posted May 26, 2008 My biggest complaint about the column shift is that my car falls out of second gear. If I take the shifter knob off, the problem goes away, but I don't like the idea of gravity working against the transmission. Quote
crazycasey Posted May 26, 2008 Report Posted May 26, 2008 greg g said: I believe I sent it off to Lou Earle back about 4 or 5 years ago. Is Lou Earle on this board? How do I know which transmission I have? I've heard people say that if it's a '53 Meadowbrook it has to be the fluid drive, but I don't think it is...not sure how to tell though...I know that '53 Meadowbrooks that had fluid drive had a big fancy "Fluid Drive" Emblem as a part of the Meadowbrook fender emblem, which my car doesn't have. Quote
PatS.... Posted May 26, 2008 Report Posted May 26, 2008 crazycasey said: Is Lou Earle on this board? How do I know which transmission I have? I've heard people say that if it's a '53 Meadowbrook it has to be the fluid drive, but I don't think it is...not sure how to tell though...I know that '53 Meadowbrooks that had fluid drive had a big fancy "Fluid Drive" Emblem as a part of the Meadowbrook fender emblem, which my car doesn't have. With the car running, if it's in gear, can you let the clutch out without stalling the car? If so it's likely a Fluid Drive. If the car's not running, roll back the carpet/rubber mat on the passenger side, on the side of the transmission hump there should be an oval access plate. That is the access to add fluid to the fluid coupling. If, after opening that access plate, there is also a round hole in the bell housing, shown here under dirt on my Chrysler engine, then it's likely a fluid drive. Pop the cover off the hole and the should be a unit resembling a modern torque converter, (it's not, but it looks like one) then it is a fluid drive. Quote
greg g Posted May 26, 2008 Report Posted May 26, 2008 Yes Lou is a member of this forum. As far as I know all 40's US Dodges were fluid drive. Quote
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