TH200-4R Trans Gear Indicator for '72 Skylark Steering Column Shifter

Does anyone know of an "overlay" or decal that I could install on my steer column gear indicator that will show which position (of the shifter) accurately shows the position the selector should be in for each gear? That is, the correct positions for Park, Neutral, OD, Drive, second and first...

I was lucky enough to be able to use the original TH-350 shift cable, trans shifter arm, neutral safety switch, etc when I replaced my perfectly good TH-350 with a TH200-4R. All I had to do was locate the shifter arm (on the trans) and adjust the length to line up with the "N" on my stock gear indicator to achieve the full range of gear detents in the trans. See photos...

Everything works just fine but I would like to have the shifter pointer line up with the correct letter on the indicator. I know that there's a conversion for floor shifters but I have yet to find one for the Buick column shifter.

Any help will be greatly appreciated. Thank you.

 

You may already know this; if you used your original neutral safety switch and shift through all the gears of the 200R4 you will break the neutral safety switch with the extra Gear

 

I'll follow this - Please post what you wind up doing. I hope to to the same conversion on my '71.

 

There are several available from Lokar, Flaming River, etc - here's one from Ididit: https://www.ebay.com/p/1027470686?iid=324259153373

 

Thank you jaye but, the neutral safety switch still looks and works just fine. I just looked at it with a flashlight and inspection mirror and found no evidence of damage (cracks, etc). I cycled the column shifter through all of the positions (and tried to start the car in each one) and verified that the starter will energize only when the indicator is in Park or Neutral, and the back-up lights only illuminate when it's in the Reverse position. I can 't remember if I replaced the switch when I restored the car in the 90's or not, but it appears that clearances, wear (?), etc. are such that I'm able to move the shifter lever through the entire range of transmission detents. Maybe I just got lucky.

I performed the transmission conversion way back in 1999.

Thank you Bill, but I can't imagine how I can install them in a stock-appearing manner. It's been over 20 years since I restored my instrument cluster and dash panel but, if I remember correctly, the stock gear indicator is an integral part of the speedometer. The indicators/pointers on the website appear to be designed to mount on surface of the steering column. Ididit/Lokar/etc. make excellent products but I don't think I can use them.

Thanks Larry. I suspect that you're correct. Bummer.

 

Some one creative might be able to adapt one of the Chevy ones from Shiftworks.
https://shiftworks.com/collections/column-shift

Better still,maybe an influential board member could convince them there is a broader GM customer base to sell to.

 

Maybe there's enough ppl on here, FB, etc. to warrant having a run of speedometers done.

 

Mine lines right up. Only the 1st gear is below the old 1st position, which doesn't bother me one bit.

 

I guess that wouldn't bother me either.

 

That's how mine is too. All selectors line up perfect, and the "new" low 1 sits just below the old 1 position. No issues with neutral safety switch at all. Works perfect

 

No issue with that here, maybe because I have got a column shift car, which was converted to floor shift. Neutral switch is still at the column, and not at the floor shifter.

 

Yes - it sticks onto the column. Definitely not stock!

 

Some more possibilities: https://www.ampcustomshop.com/
https://newvintageusallc.mybigcommerce.com/custom-screen-printing/

 

Classic Instruments is another custom-izer: https://shop.classicinstruments.com/customs

 

Here's another company that does gauges: http://www.instrument-specialties.com/
Note they have a partner that restores the chrome on plastic (vacuum metalized plastics): https://muellercorp.com/

 

Thank you Bill... And the rest of you too. A lot of good information.

The source for "re-chroming" plastic interior parts will come in handy since the excellent source I did business with back in the 90's is no longer in business.

 

I'm also swapping a 350/350 turbo for a 455/2004r combo in my '72 GS. Keeping tilt column shift also. Great info gentlemen!....Lars

 

Hey Lars - keep us posted!