56 chevy power steering

[roger55]

Looking at my mock-up, I think I'm going to have to use a shift cable to the transmission. I don't think a linkage rod will work because the lever arm on the column would hit the manifold. I don't think headers would make any difference on that.

No big deal but the cable setups are more expensive than the linkage rod setups are. The Ididit and Lokar shift cable kits are about $130.

[Katrina/10]

Looks like the shift arm on the column will hit the manifold?

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

Looks like the shift arm on the column will hit the manifold?

The transmission is a 700R4 automatic so I bought the column shift version Ididit for the truck. I didn't want to put a floor shifter in it.
So, the column has a lever arm that mounts on the end of the column. In the photo, you can see the green twist tie on the end of it holding the bushings in place.
When the shifter is in the Park position, the arm needs to be in the up position if using a linkage rod. This is where it would hit the manifold.
If I use a cable linkage, I can orient the shift arm in any position so then there wouldn't be a problem.

A cable kit is about $130. .

Here's the cable linkages from Lokar and Ididit:

Lokar:



Ididit:



Here's Lokars rod linkage kit. It's about $60. You can see that the lever arm has to be oriented towards the manifold with a setup like this. That's why it won't work.

[Dan in Pasadena]

You couldn't just section a 1/2" - 3/4" out of that arm to make it work (since you already have it in hand)?
Posted via Mobile Device

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Dan in Pasadena

You couldn't just section a 1/2" - 3/4" out of that arm to make it work (since you already have it in hand)?
Posted via Mobile Device

Then it wouldn't have the right amount of throw.
I suppose the arm could be modified to offset it. But it's just easier and cleaner to get a cable kit. I don't have a rod of any kind in hand so I need to buy something anyway.

I was just stating that I will need to buy the cable kit versus a rod kit and it's more expensive. No big deal though.

[Katrina/10]

So the cable will work with your existing column?

[roger55]

Originally Posted by Katrina/10

So the cable will work with your existing column?

Yes, Ididit makes them for their own columns as well as stock GM columns. Lokar's will work on aftermarket and original columns too.

[OrrieG]

I made my own using B&M race shifter cable and transmission bracket. My column is shorter but gives you an alternative. the L bracket screws to the firewall. I cut off the lever just past where the cable bolts thru. My installed cost was about half of the Ididit and Lokar kits using parts off the shelf at Oriellys.

[Katrina/10]

Glad you can use the column you have. Orrie's fix looks like a good solution.

[OrrieG]

If you fab your own a critical piece of information is that the radius of the cable mounting point from the center line of the column and transmission shift link have to be the same for the detents in the transmission to match the ones on the column. Took me a few hours to confirm that online. I adjusted everything with the column and trans in neutral so i did not have to mess with the neutral safety switch.