torque-tube floor shifter

i have a '54 chevy car w/ factory 3spd tranny. i want to convert to a floor shifter, but cant seem to find one that will fit. all i can find are the Mr.Gasket ones that say they fit '55 up chevs. is it possible to put a floor-shifter in my car? if so, where do i find one?

thanks
-ncg

 

thought 54 and up had the open driveline with saginaw 3 speed, but that would make things too easy. with a torque tube as far as I've seen there is nothing (whole different trans), grab a generic shifter an get fabbin! pick up something like the hurst indymatic, adapt a mounting plate as best as possible, and make linkages from some straight steel stock like the super shifters had. on a side note, how big of a market would there be for a shifter for these things? need a project for my engineering course.

 

Patrick makes a 4 speed saginaw conversion that goes in the torque tube so thats another way to get the floor shifter.

 

Other than the rear of the trans being setup for closed driveline the 49-54 trans is very simular to the 55-65 box. Many parts interchange internaly. The 55 up shifter will probabley need a little fiddling with where the mounting bracket attaches to the trans case, otherwise should work.

 

I've got a N.O.S. Hurst mounting bracket for putting a floor shift conversion on '49-'54 Chevy three speeds. I don't want to sell it, but I'll trace it on paper so you've got a pattern to go by, if that will help you.

 

National Chevy makes um just for the three speed torque tube early chevies

 

I think I have one in the garage that I would be willing to sell. I had bought it for my old 50 chevy. I think you just have to make a bracket to mount it. PM me..

 

What's wrong with column shift?? in the 40's and 50's people were converting to column shift because it was cool, and if you'r still running the stock gear box it obviosly aint for racing

 

do they still make those i've been looking but cant find one. and the regular indy would prob be beter for him not the auto one

 

can't you fit a truck box with the floor shifter?

 

47 up 3 speed truck boxes are collum shifters. Earlier 3 speed floor shift boxes are much shorter.

 

I got one for my old 52 Chevy from Honest Charley. In 1960, or thereabouts. More recently I looked for one to put in a First Series Chevy pickup. Nada.

 

As stated, National Chevy Association has them...

 

didn't know that Sir! Thanks, you just saved me some work and embarressment as I was going to try that!!

 

Hmm. Maybe I should take the Hurst Indy off the 3-speed toploader I want to dump.

 

This link says 47 used 3 spd floor shift.

http://www.classicparts.com/frame-truck-years.html

 

Yes, they did, but it's not a transmission I'd go to the trouble to retrofit to a newer car. They make the '49-'54 three speeds look high tech.

 

Yes they do, but have you ever looked at one? The shifter itself is pretty cheesy.

 

Yes I have, and yes it is. Its a Hurst Indy (or clone) I believe. Not something I would buy, but then I'm not the one asking for a source. It's the only currently available choice that I've seen.
If it was me, I'd find a good used factory floor shifter (from any make) and make my own mounting bracket.

 

cough, hurst, cough, cough... jegs and summit still listed the indymatic 3spd shifter last time I checked for under $130. now, as for a bracket to mount that shifter to the early trans, would there be a market? as mentioned, need a project for an engineering course that is markatable. school shop is full cnc equipped so able to make multiple units.