67 skylark, has a 455 swapped in but still has the ST300 transmission. Column shift. It has the split bench and I already have the seat cover to re-cover that, so I'm staying with column shift. So, if I go from a 2 speed to a 3 speed on the column, is it hard to change the detent on the shifter to have the extra gear position? I guess I will have to come up with some other display lens but I can make that if I need to, just wondering about the linkage and detent modification. Seems most people that do this have the bucket seats and floor shift, but with the nice tilt wheel and new seat cover, I need to stay column shift. Thanks Jon
I did that swap on my 68 Cutlass (in 1974, column shifter). Seems like I just moved the trans support back, and put a short 400 yoke on the drive shaft. The shift lever was adjusted to work OK, don't remember if I changed the shaft coupled to the trans. I never bothered to change the indicator lens, how often do you need to know if its 1st or second? Are you going switch pitch? Bruce Roe
Jon the only correct 3 speed indicator lens that would be correct would be a 67 GS 400 with a column shift. That should not be to hard to find, the standard in 67 was column shift if you got a auto. Thanks Bill.
I don't know if I should go with the switch pitch or not. I just don't know enough about them to make an informed decision. I see old BOP transmissions for sale about $100-200 or even a rebuilt one for under $500 but doubt they are Switch Pitch. How much is a S.P.? Is the ST300 that I have in it now considered a S.P.? what exactly do I gain by going to one? It would be great to get more info as I get closer to it. For now tho, my winter project is getting the old beast water proof. Finished the trunk floor repair, working on rear window for now, almost done, and just took the front windshield out. Sigh, need the new cowl piece now. It should show up soon. Thanks for your responses. Jon
I went from a 300 to a 400 trans in y2k. All I had to do was get the proper yoke, move the cross-member back and shorten the driveshaft. Adjusted the linkage so that "drive" lined up, and that was it. It's really important to make sure you're all the way in the detent or you can smoke the trans with low pressure. Of course, I rerouted the modulator vacuum line.
I believe your ST300 is a switch pitch; if so you already have the controls in place. Is standard on 67, gives some extra launch torque by switching to high stall, then back to low stall for economy. Great on a driver, not so much advantage for performance only aps. Bruce Roe
