I need some experienced guidance with a conversion of my Automatic column shift to the OEM console shifter. I am putting a complete console in the convertible. The console I bought came complete with the shifter mechanism but it was used as a two speed not the P, R, N, D, L2, L1 of the T400. As I was rebuilding the shifter mechanism it dawned on me that the shift handle may not have the L1 (or second Low) detent on the shift plate but ony the L2 (first low). When the button is pushed to change gears the pin goes down, exits the detent notch and goes in the direction you push it and engages the detent where you want it to be. See the photos below where I marked the pin in red and the position with black tape. First picture starts with I am guessing is L2 since the shifter is pulled all the way back in the mechanism, and then moving in the photos from right to left, second photo may be Drive, then Neutral, then Reverse, and then Park but not sure. It could be in the wide detent that Park, Neutral, and Reverse are all in that detent depending on how the position of the column shifter. Need opinions on this and if I am correct then I either need a pattern of the correct detents that I can cut the second L1 detent or find another shifter. Opinions/Suggestions? Hope all this makes some sense. Thanks in advance for comments. Last detent, L2? Next to last, Drive? Neutral? Park, Reverse, ? Overall shifter
Thanks Nick, I have sent PM's to my favorite parts suppliers, just what you recommended, a photo or I am willing to purchase the correct shifter.
This was removed from a '67 GS400 parts car many years ago. However, when I compare it to your photos it sure looks the same to me. Someone else asked about this in 2013 but it doesn't appear that anyone posted any other photos: http://www.v8buick.com/index.php?threads/shifter-shenanigans-67-gs-400.264803/#post-2183335
Your right Gary, it does look the same. I think I goofed up and gave Chuck some bad info. Sorry Chuck, it's been 10 years since I made the same conversion as you're doing and I shouldn't have chimed in. I deleted my errant post.
I'm not so sure that you posted incorrect info. I can't be sure that this shiftier is correct either. This shifter and console came out of a friend's '67 GS400 parts car like 30 years ago. It had the P R N D L2 L1 indicator on the console for a 400 transmission and everything seemed original but since I don't know the car's history I can't be 100% sure about it being original. Hopefully someone else can chime in and give us all some confirmation.
Thanks guys. Gary, your photos look identical to mine. I have put out several PM's to forum parts guys so we will see what turns up. I will also post in Part Wanted.
I could be wrong but I believe park is on the right in the pictures which makes drive the last detent position. Low 1 and 2 or simply low would not be detented and the driver would be able to bump the shifter forward into drive without using the push button. That said, the shifter is probably correct for either traadmission
I agree with Tom, was thinking about this when I posted. Most shifters lock in park. Most Buick shifters will allow you to shift from L1 to L2 without using the button. they also allow you to go from drive to neutral without the button. Reverse and park are the only detents that require the button or slide (on later shifter) to be lifted. This is why drag racers modify them to be able to one gear at a time and not getting into neutral without pushing the button and or lifting the slide.
Great comments guys and once again this Forum answers a tricky question. I have now confirmed with the seller that the photos of the shifter I have rebuilt came from a GS 400 T400 parts car. I had misunderstood and thought that it came from a 2 shift car because the lens on the console had one L indication and therefore I thought the shifter was also from a one L car. With your comments, Gary's photos, and the confirmation from the seller I am moving forward with using my shifter as we make the conversion from column shift to console. Thanks again,
Well I'm glad to here that the shifter I pictured is indeed for a ST400 because I sold the console/shifter assembly on eBay a few years ago as a 3-speed automatic set-up. I'm not very knowledgeable about the floor consoles like you sporty guys because both of my '67s have column shift ST400s.
Well that's good to know. Now we have definitive photo proof of the correct shifter. That would be great to add to your '67 GS site Gary. Here's another photo that's related to the floor shifter conversion that usually the toughest item to find. That would be the shifter lever surround or housing with the attached rubber boot. (sorry, best pic I could find of it)
Nick, I need the rubber boot as the one that came with my shifter stuff is completely shot. I see a lot of boots on vendors sites but have not found one for the 67 Buicks that fit the metal hold down shown in your photo. Any suggestions on where to find one? I can always modify another one I guess. I also have to figure out where to cut the hole in the floorboard.
I couldn't find one either. Luckily mine wasn't in too bad of shape and I was able to clean it up and re-use it. I have no idea what boot would be even close to matching up with ours. That's an item that's surely needed and would be great if it was repopped. Doubt that would ever happen though. The hole in the floor is dependent on shifter placement. If I remember right, there's 2 dimples punched into the floor that coincide with the rear mounting holes of the shifter, That 's where I mounted my shifter and everything lined up. I then cut a rectangular hole by mocking it all up.
Someone on this board posted these photo in 2015 so I saved them since it was the only time I had seen one of these. Sorry I didn't record who posted them but they are good photos of this hard to find part of a floor shift set-up.
Seeing the photos helps a bunch. I am going to try to tape my remaining pieces together to get an idea of size and shape then go on the internet and find something I can modify. Thanks
Thanks, I may have found one that could be modified to work. Just ordered it from Summit and it is a Goodmark product. Summit part number GMK-4032-508-684 (Goodmark's number without the hyphens). When it gets here I will know if the dimensions will work and if so I will have to cut new holes to line up with the metal hold down trim piece. If it works I will post photos of how I modified it. I also like the idea of the inner tube and I can see how that could work also.
Chuck, I cut out and saved the transmission tunnel from the '67 GS400 car I just parted out. It has the correct location for the shift lever slot and the holes for the wire harness clips along with the brackets. I will be away from home for a couple of weeks but can measure the location of things, or ship you the whole thing if you want it. I just can't do it right away... I saved it just for this reason just didn't realize it would be needed right away!
