66 skylark auto to 4 speed conversion firewall hole

Discussion in 'U-shift em' started by MilehighBuick, Feb 22, 2017.

  1. MilehighBuick

    MilehighBuick Well-Known Member

    Firewall is smooth, some had a hole filled with material in the a body gm cars but going to transfer a 4 speed into an automatic car. Some questions.. Does anyone know where to locate the hole in the firewall for the zbar rod, I dont want to guess and end up with a bigger than needed hole... Did a bench seat car without o console of course have a hump for the 4 speed on the tunnel..
    I have pedals, z bar, all linkage and tab, bellhousing, clutch/pp, and muncie. Anything else needed? Do you need the enforcement plate for the firewall or can I omit.. Thanks
     
  2. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    There's a plate around the steering column, that's where the hole for the clutch pedal rod needs to be. You can buy the plate for the manual trans or make the hole yourself, but it's an odd shape. There is a boot that fits there too. To remove or replace that plate, the steering column need to be removed!
    There's a rubber sleeve on the column where it sits in that plate. If you need that, hit the hardware store, plumbing department, and get a tubing connector.... has a rubber sleeve with metal cover and 2 hose clamps attached. Disassemble and use the rubber sleeve.

    For the shifter hump, 64-67 Chevelle with console. That's the small one. The shifter body sticks thru the hole a little so the hump covers it. You can use the Chevelle shifter boot and retaining ring too, it's the same as the Buick boot for use under the console. If the Buick had a console, there's a second boot in the console.

    I did a 5 speed swap on my '66 Special..... best mod I did on that car!:TU:
     
  3. MilehighBuick

    MilehighBuick Well-Known Member

    Thanks, is this the one youre talking about? I know Ive had some in the past that had these instaleld veen though they were automatics.. Is this Rich? I might have sold you a red 66 GS years ago..
    [​IMG]
     
    Last edited: Feb 23, 2017
  4. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    That's it, looks like a repo. Here's a pic of my original, it doesn't have those clamps.
    You'll need to buy the boot and retainer ring too. There may even be a kit that includes the bolts.
    FirewallPlate.jpg

    I know a Rich that bought a red/black '66 GS. It's now on eBay.... is this it?:
    http://www.ebay.com/itm/302224253174?_trksid=p2060353.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

    Neat car, wish he would keep it and restore it.What happened to the engine.... it was loose in the car as if it was going to be fixed.
     
  5. MilehighBuick

    MilehighBuick Well-Known Member

    Awesome, yeah this is on ebay and says chevelle but an abody is an abody.. Id like to find a steering column as well without going aftermarket but Ill find.
    Yep that was me. The way he has it is the way I got it. Its a pretty clean car and wonder if the illusion of rust without the carpet is throwing that off. I thought about getting it back but have 2 here now and a skylark. Youd think Im a huge Buick guy witht he cars but kinda learning on the fly. Oldsmobiles was my cup of tea.. but then again its all a body stuff, few changes and differences for sure..
     
  6. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    I like that eBay car. I looked it over when Rich bought it a couple of years ago... Took another real quick look last week, it's only a few miles away from me. It's solid and straight. The pics make the interior surface rust look worse than it is, the rust color is amplified. weird. I already have 2 red 66's so buying a third isn't in my plan!
    Where did you get the car from?

    For steering column stuff, the 67 had some changes due to the collapsible steering shaft. It's a larger diameter column. Stay away from 67 parts for a 64-66.
    For the various hardware for z-bar and linkage (bushings, studs, etc), Pontiac parts were a better match than Chevelle. I think Chevelle used a smaller stud than the Pontiac.
     
  7. MilehighBuick

    MilehighBuick Well-Known Member

    Thats a colorado car. Its how we usually get them here and I wouldnt have bought it if it wasnt solid.. The inside surface stuff is strange for here. Im not sure if they left the windows open or what but the rest of it isnt like that.
    I have all the pedal assembly and linkage, just need the floor hump now and on my way to getting the 340 out in favor of some torque. Was alos wondering about a dash without the auto select in it.. about the only thing I can think of. Thanks
     
  8. wkillgs

    wkillgs Gold Level Contributor

    Just paint the back side of the PRNDL indicator lens black. That's what Buick did. Even easier, put a piece of black electrical tape over it.:bglasses:
     
  9. MilehighBuick

    MilehighBuick Well-Known Member

    perfect, all these little ins and outs since Ive been away for so long.. was on an Oldsmobile path for many years.
     

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