I'm an FNG and throw myself at your mercy. I have a '51 Chevy Deluxe Coupe that I'm building into ... not sure yet?! Any ideas or is it even possible to convert the 3 on the tree column shifter to be used for a 3 speed automatic. I know it's easier to just toss in a floor shifter, but I figure someone else had to do this in the past. Thanks kindly.
You can fabricate linkage to use the column shifter to work as a automatic shifter although it takes some time to get it to work perfect. I did it with a 1940 Ford sedan. HRP
I converted the shifter on my 41 Chevy to work with a 4l60e transmission with a minimal amount of work, modifying the stock pieces and using a Kugel shift rod.
the only problem is you don't have any lockout and can shove it in reverse or park when going down the street.
My 59 F100 is set up like that, and without the positive detent for Park, I think it is downrite dangerous. It works and looks OK, but that's all I can say about it. I'm looking for a factory fordomatic linkage to install (trans is a C4) this spring, but if I can't find one I'll install a floor shift (unfortunately).
It isn't that hard to rig up and the kugel linkage helps a lot as it is easily adjusted. http://www.kugelkomponents.com/zencart/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=2 As a couple of the guys said you don't have any detents on the column with that setup so you do have to be careful getting it in the right gear but that is a learned thing anyhow. With a bit of work on the bottom end of the linkage on the column you could most likely fab up a detent setup or adapt a detent setup off another column shifter.
I just installed one of these in my 49 Ford. http://limeworksspeedshop.myshopify...s/products/retro-shifter-and-linkage-kit-only It will work with chevy also, money well spent. Rich
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