Heresy, I know, but I'm considering it! Once my real four speed 2+2 is well underway, since I'm doing it entirely stock, I'm considering changing my black car from a 5-speed stick over to an overdrive automatic. I'd do EFI at the same time. I'd like to make it into a turnkey cruiser and make it really driveable. And then I'll still have the totally stock factory four speed car next to it.
I'm trying to remember all what would need to change back:
- Column, shifter, and linkage
- Pedal box stays, but need auto brake pedal setup
- What changes on the console? I don't have a floor hump, so how can I tell if the console they used is really an auto or four-speed from looking at it? There's a boot where you'd find the shift plate so it -could- still be an auto console. I have lots of auto shifters still, but no spare consoles.
I should have an auto brake pedal here somewhere. I think the console is actually different, and I should be able to help you out with a console - It might need a little repair work though. I might also have the linkage (and bracket that bolts to the frame) that goes from the transmission to the column.
Once the snow melts (likely June) I'll do some digging through the garage for the necessary stuff. You'll also need the cable for the shifter to transmission. I might have that, but I don't think so.
On my 66 Grande with the 396 I just changed from a Powerglide to a 700r4 so it didn't really involve very much but it is really worth it to have a nice highway cruiser. I'm not sure you even need the Fuel injection as the original Quadrajet works really well and I've been getting about 20 mpg at cruise with lots of power. (Its an original 3:31 12 bolt open rear with stock height TA radials.)
In Alberta it has not been a factor yet but for the record I have not modified it in terms of emissions from the stock configuration so I would hope it would pass any future emissions stuff that may arise.
The other good thing as that it looks almost totally stock except for the TV cable to the tranny.
I used the same shifter and just changed the detents to fit the 4 forward gears.
This car originally had a powerglide, which I switched to a TH350 at some point (same length driveshaft). Then I put a 200-4R in it (same driveshaft but adds overdrive) and then a TKO-600. So it's had a lot of different transmissions! Now I'm thinking a 6L90E.
Fastest was the 200-4R, it ran a 12.9 and I laminated the timeslip so I can say it's a 12-second car (OK, I didn't really laminate it, but i was happy).
When you own the same car for decades upon decades it can go through a lot of different iterations!
