Chevy 3-speed w/ overdrive + Hurst Floor shifter?

Well, I started to install my Hurst floor shifter the other day on the '59 elky and ran into some problems. I don't know shit about transmissions so I just dove in and hoped for the best. When I ordered the shifter, I never even thought about the overdrive causing problems w/ the mounting of the new floor shifter. I don't even know how the overdrive works honestly. There is a cable under the dash and it's all out of a '64 chevy. Anyway, I obviously have the wrong Hurst kit for this setup and can't seem to find the correct install kit to make this work. Anyone know if Hurst makes a kit for this setup or do I just need to leave shit alone and hook the column shifter back up? I like the idea of the overdrive but the column shift seems too "old man" and not "hot rod" enough. I'm not gonna swap trannies, I'll put it back the way it was if I have to but I'd really like to put the shifter on the floor. Any advice? Thanks

Mootz

 

There was a different installation kit for the overdrive transmissions, as opposed to the conventional three speeds, but I'm sure that Hurst discontinued it years ago. What's the problem? Does the mounting bracket run into the overdrive solenoid? I've got to believe that it wouldn't take that much to modify the standard setup to make it work on your O/D unit.

 

Friend of mine had a 3spd/od in his 57. Used a Hurst floor shifter but left all the overdrive stuff hooked up under the dash and wiring, etc. If I remember correctly, it wasn't a special shifter or anything. Just the regular shifter with the 5-6-7 arm thst cleared the bench seat. Newer o/d's shouldn't be different.

 

The bracket that the shifter mounts to goes right where the solenoid is mounted on the drivers side of the tranny. It won't clear no matter how many cuss words I use.

Mootz

 

The cable under the dash locks the OD out. You can set the governor at a certain speed at it can kick in after letting off of the gas. My uncle had a OD trans in his 57 chevy truck. Used a toggle switch to let it in OD. You have to have it when parking on hills or at least you do in my dad's chevlle. When parking down hill, leave it in reverse. Do the opposite when parking uphill. Peopel have drove my daf's car years ago. They get out of it and the car takes off rolling.

 

Can you print a picture? I may be able to help.

 

HURST made a special shifter for OD transmissions.

I have an old HURST Mystery shifter specificaly made for that application. Can't remember if HURST made the high dollar flat handled shifter for that application.

If I can remember, next time I'm at my shop I'll take a couple of pics of it. The mounting bracket will clear the tin can.

AND...............OD's are great. I have one in my '55 Chevy. With a good running 327 and a 3.36 rear gear, I'd pull down 20+ mpg running 70 mph on the interstate.

Set mine up so I had 6 forward speeds.

 

Damn, that sounds good. So, you think if I were able to come up with an old mounting bracket for the o/d models, my new shifter would work? I couldn't imagine the shifter itself has changed much but who knows. I'd really like to get a floor shifter in this thing. It's running a 327 and I've got a 3 duece setup to go in and I think the combination of the two would be killer.

Mootz

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ight=overdrive

Read the above thread.

The only difference is the bracket for the shifter mount. A different mounting kit is or was available with a bracket that cleared the solenoid. Check with Hurst/Mr Gasket or see if someone has an old Hurst catalog.

overspray

 

Can't get your link to work but I'm hoping they will be open tomorrow. I've looked through their new catalogs and don't see anything listed. I plan on giving them a call and since I'm off tomorrow, hopefully they will be there.

Mootz

 

I don't see why ya' can't make your own mounting bracket, or convert your existing one to work.

Is your transmission an early one or the later Saginaw all syncro 3 speed one?

My shifter is for the early style.

 

I'd guess the later? It's out of a 64 chevy car. This is as close to a transmission I've ever been and I'm definately not a mechanic. The reason I can't make the bracket myself is that I may be retarded and lack of tools and/or equipment. If I cut the area out of the bracket where the solenoid is, their won't be much left of the bracket itself. I like to try to do this stuff myself to learn etc...many could shrug their shoulders and make it themselves. I'm not one of them. The car is in a buddies shop and I don't want to spend the time it would take me while leaving a 17.5 foot car sitting in his shop.


Edit:Guess I have the earlier according to the post below.

Mootz

 

http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/s...ight=overdrive


The link works on my computer--try it again.

Overdrive transmissions were basically the same from 1955 to 1965 in the Chevy. 1955-7 did not have a mount on the tailhousing. These used the lighter 3 speed that was not syncronized in 1st gear. The 1966-9 were different in that they were based on the larger case saginaw fully syncronized 3 speed. On the newer ones (66-9) you can actually mate the overdrive to a saginaw 4 speed.

http://www.chevytrucks.org/tech/overdrive.htm

overspray

 

Called Hurst today and they said they do not make a bracket for the overdrive unit. He seemed very sure of himself and stated that they never have in the past either. Now I'm not sure what to do. It's lookin like it is going to stay on the column.

Mootz

 

I pretty much doubted that they did. I had a '57 Ford with a 312 and a '62 Ford car hauler, both with B/W T-85 (?) trannies with OD. None of the shifter companies made a floor shift coversion for the OD setup either. Were it me, I'd build an ultra cool shifter knob for your El Camino and leave her on the column. In the early-mid '50s, a lot of guys preferred a modern column shift and thought a floor shift looked "old timey". Look in some old custom car mags and you'll see.

I've got a new Hurst Indy shifter for my Ford sitting here but might leave her 3 on the Tree, just to be different.

Jan

 

I'm sure they don't anymore, but I'm just as sure they did in the past. One of my old Hurst catalogs listed a shifter for a mid '50s Chevy with a part of the part number being "5557OD". Jeez, I wonder what that meant?

 

Never doubted you a minute. I just figured they had been asked this numerous times and maybe had an easy solution. That catalog was probably printed the year this kid on the other end of the phone was born. I'm gonna keep my eye open for one but I guess for now, I'll hook the column linkage back up so it's mobile. Thanks for the help, you guys have given me hope.

Mootz

 

If I ever come up with a picture of the bracket, I'll let you know.

 

Mootz,

Let me take a picture of mine and post it tonight (I just bought it from another HAMB'r last fall and it's not installed yet).

 

In an era of paddle shift transmissions, having your shifter on the column keeps your hand that much closer to the wheel for better control and ergonomics and it seems decidedly more modern from that standpoint. I guess it may not be as cool as yanking a floor shift around though.

 

Went to the shed to see if there was an overdrive mount, but no luck yet.

I did find a NOS shifter instalation kit complete with warranty card and instructions (dated 1970). It looks like the side mount bracket could be trimmed to clear the solenoid. I'm pretty sure that's what they looked like new, just the same bracket with a cutout and the shifter mounted to the rear of the bracket.

overspray

 

OK Mootz, here's the long waited for pics of the never made Hurst shifter for an early 55-64 Chevrolet overdrive.

I mocked it up on a '57 standard transmission so ya' can see how it should attach. I would've used an OD, but you'd still be waiting for pics 'cause they are buried deep under the work bench and my back didn't feel up to the challenge.

 

Damn, you guys are awesome. I didn't expect people to go through this much trouble but I appreciate it. It's amazing how much different things look when you're not underneath a dirty car looking up with a shop light.


Mootz

 

Word of experience to ya'.

Ya' best pull the transmission to install the shifter. Ya' should have it out in less that 30 minutes. Thats a 2 piece driveshaft car and a transmission mount. If it was a '55-'57 Chevy 15 minutes. That includes jacking the car up. (if ya' can't do that, ya' better find another line of work or a different hobby like collecting coins ).

Do all the installation, set-up and adjusting on the work bench. Make sure there's no binds or clearance problems.

If ya' can't put it back in with the shifter on, take the shifter off, but at least all the hard work part of makin' sure stuff works is already done.

To make life easier puttin' the tranny back in, take a couple of 1/2" x 2-3" bolts and cut the heads off. Grind a taper on the shank. Put'em in the top 2 holes of the bell. These become your alignment & supports for the tranny when you're re-installing.

WORK SMARTER NOT HARDER

 

Here is my 3sp+od floor shifter set-up with views of the cab and two views of down below. I fabbed a bracket onto the tranny using existing bolts and 3x3 angle iron to which I welded a flat to attach the Hurst 3 speed shifter.

I found that the shifter was way too close to my right leg so I went up-over-up using 3/8"X 3/4" flat stock with anglebracing for extra rigidity. Works like a charm for 20K + miles as I am a daily driver (only vehicle I own). You can see where I welded the tranny shifter arms to reduce the shifter throw distance and to retain the traditional "H" 3 speed shift pattern. Ask questions if I can help. Cheers, Cosmo.

PS I don't know how to reduce pic sizes, please pardon.

 

I would have had the shifter installed w/o pulling the tranny relatively easily if the bracket would have fit around or over the o/d box. I understand how it mounts etc but pulling the tranny seems like a bunch of unecessary work. It would obviously make mounting the shifter a snap but the bolts are far from impossible to get to with it in the car as is. With the right bracket, I'm fairly confident I'd be cruising right now (that's as if there wasn't 4" of snow and ice on the road).

Mootz

 

I've got an old Hurst two piece mounting bracket that may help you out. I'll compare it to the '58 Chevy three speed I've got tomorrow and let you know.

 

58-59 Mount differently they attach to the bottom of the trans ,,Back in teh day Hurst Made Overdrive set ups for most everything,,kinda phased out in teh mid/late 60's Though the popular kits did last longer

 

Weld three long stiff metal rods to the shift levers and the overdrive lockout. Heat and bend them so they will stick up through the floor pan. With three shift levers you can tell everyone that you have a Quad plex tri plex mack truck transmission. Can also be done to any 3 or 4 speed tranny. Besides nobody will be able to drive your vehicle but you. Different but it will really work. A good source for the long tempered shift rods is from econoline vans. Guess how i know? OldWolf