3-Speed Column to Floor Conversion

[dabruce15]

Does anyone have pictures of the hole they cut for this? I bought an Indy 3-speed because my column is shot. I couldn't find an FAQ for this, any help would be greatly appreciated.

[PanelDeland]

Shifter placement will vary from truck to truck slighly.You may have to mount the shifter and figure out the hole from there.As far as your column shifter being shot....I doubt it.I have seen some that wouldn't work at all get a good cleaning and lube and work like a charm.In fact mine did it this spring.I just hadn't degreased and lubed it lately.The other thing is the bushings on the shifter arms need to be in good shape.There is a great write up in the FAQ's on column shifter rehab and adjustment.

[cdowns]

it's amazin how moving parts love to b cleaned and lubed to work smoothly

[sneakysnake]

Also there are two screws that can adjust the "slack" in the shifter.

[usmcchevy]

Here is the only pic I have of it, I already welded it up and will be using my column shifter.

[dabruce15]

Originally Posted by usmcchevy

Here is the only pic I have of it, I already welded it up and will be using my column shifter.

Thanks for the pic. It's good to have a reference point.

[chevy88]

Originally Posted by sneakysnake

Also there are two screws that can adjust the "slack" in the shifter.

Where is the second as I only see the one???

[sneakysnake]

Originally Posted by chevy88

Where is the second as I only see the one???

Its straight across from each other.Notice the spiral slot, that lets it tighten the bushings.Loosen the clamp and two side bolts and tap the clamp counterclockwise.

[chevy88]

Thanks for the tip I will try that instead of going to a floor shifter as I thought it was just worn out.

[frog trucker]

Did ya cut the hole yet? My camera is shot, so I can't help with pics, sorry. I cut the hole for my Hurst Indy shifter just last night. lmk if you want me to describe how I determined where to make the hole in the floor.

[dabruce15]

Originally Posted by frog trucker

Did ya cut the hole yet? My camera is shot, so I can't help with pics, sorry. I cut the hole for my Hurst Indy shifter just last night. lmk if you want me to describe how I determined where to make the hole in the floor.

I haven't had time yet, so any lessons learned you'd like to share would be appreciated. Thanks!

[mr mike]

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=393318

[dabruce15]

Originally Posted by mr mike

http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=393318

Awesome pics mr mike! That's going to be a big help!

[frog trucker]

Originally Posted by dabruce15

I haven't had time yet, so any lessons learned you'd like to share would be appreciated. Thanks!

Okay Bruce, I hope you have your Hurst installation instructions handy. My Hurst is one I bought off eBay . . . it’s N.O.S. so my instructions are REV. 3/87. Your instruction sheet might be the same as mine. My installation instructions in step one read “Use the stock transmission bolts to fasten brace, bracket, and leg to transmission”. First tip for you . . . go to the hardware store (Lowe’s) and buy some new bolts and flat washers! I followed the instructions and pulled a few threads out of my case. The stock bolt was too short when used with the original-thick split-ring lockwasher! I used two grade-5 hex cap screws, 7/16-14 x 1-1/2, on the left side for the “Mounting Bracket “ and “Bracket Leg”. The top right bolt hole in my trans case is a open through hole, so to mount the upper “Brace”, I used a 7/16-14 x 2 grade 5 hex cap screw. I cleaned the holes with “Brake cleaner spray” and put a couple drops of blue Loc-tite on the new bolts.
To mark the spot to cut-out the floor, I scribed the bottom of the floorpan with a long screwdriver held flat alongside the”Mounting Bracket” (PT 1170189 on your instruction sheet). I wanted a line directly above and parallel to the edge of the ”Mounting Bracket”. I scribed as far forward and back on the floorpan as I could go. The instructions say select a hole (in the ”Mounting Bracket”) for the location of the shifter mechanism . . . I decided to use the forward most, upper hole in the ”Mounting Bracket”. (BTW, the speedo cable will just barely clear the shift rods and shifter mechanism). Next, I temporarily bolted the shifter mechanism to the ”Mounting Bracket”. It would not go on vertically because it hit the floor (right where the cutout needs to be!), so I rotated the shifter mechanism until I could bolt it on. I then used the long screwdriver alongside the shifter mechanism to scribe the floor in the same manner as before. That gave me two parallel lines scribed that were the same distance apart as the width of the shifter mechanism. The shifter was then removed from the bracket so I could mark the front and rear of the area to be cut-out. I marked the floor directly vertical above the shifter-mounting hole, measured 1-1/2" ahead of and behind that mark to complete the boarders for the cutout.
I used a SHARP bit (large enough for a saw blade to fit through) in my cordless drill to make a hole in each of the four corners. I went inside the cab and cut away the carpet and padding with a knife, and then I cut the floor from hole to hole with a scroll-saw. A little work with a flat-file to de-burr the saw-cut edge and I bolted the shifter handle on to see if it clears everything. I hope this helps ya and LMK if you have any other ????s!

[dabruce15]

Originally Posted by frog trucker

Okay Bruce, I hope you have your Hurst installation instructions handy. My Hurst is one I bought off eBay . . . it’s N.O.S. so my instructions are REV. 3/87. Your instruction sheet might be the same as mine. My installation instructions in step one read “Use the stock transmission bolts to fasten brace, bracket, and leg to transmission”. First tip for you . . . go to the hardware store (Lowe’s) and buy some new bolts and flat washers! I followed the instructions and pulled a few threads out of my case. The stock bolt was too short when used with the original-thick split-ring lockwasher! I used two grade-5 hex cap screws, 7/16-14 x 1-1/2, on the left side for the “Mounting Bracket “ and “Bracket Leg”. The top right bolt hole in my trans case is a open through hole, so to mount the upper “Brace”, I used a 7/16-14 x 2 grade 5 hex cap screw. I cleaned the holes with “Brake cleaner spray” and put a couple drops of blue Loc-tite on the new bolts.
To mark the spot to cut-out the floor, I scribed the bottom of the floorpan with a long screwdriver held flat alongside the”Mounting Bracket” (PT 1170189 on your instruction sheet). I wanted a line directly above and parallel to the edge of the ”Mounting Bracket”. I scribed as far forward and back on the floorpan as I could go. The instructions say select a hole (in the ”Mounting Bracket”) for the location of the shifter mechanism . . . I decided to use the forward most, upper hole in the ”Mounting Bracket”. (BTW, the speedo cable will just barely clear the shift rods and shifter mechanism). Next, I temporarily bolted the shifter mechanism to the ”Mounting Bracket”. It would not go on vertically because it hit the floor (right where the cutout needs to be!), so I rotated the shifter mechanism until I could bolt it on. I then used the long screwdriver alongside the shifter mechanism to scribe the floor in the same manner as before. That gave me two parallel lines scribed that were the same distance apart as the width of the shifter mechanism. The shifter was then removed from the bracket so I could mark the front and rear of the area to be cut-out. I marked the floor directly vertical above the shifter-mounting hole, measured 1-1/2" ahead of and behind that mark to complete the boarders for the cutout.
I used a SHARP bit (large enough for a saw blade to fit through) in my cordless drill to make a hole in each of the four corners. I went inside the cab and cut away the carpet and padding with a knife, and then I cut the floor from hole to hole with a scroll-saw. A little work with a flat-file to de-burr the saw-cut edge and I bolted the shifter handle on to see if it clears everything. I hope this helps ya and LMK if you have any other ????s!

Thanks for all the details. I bought my setup used and didn't receive any installation directions, so this is a big help.

[frog trucker]

Do you have a number where you can receive a fax?

[dabruce15]

Originally Posted by frog trucker

Do you have a number where you can receive a fax?

I'll be at work tomorrow. I'll get the fax number then. Thanks!

[frog trucker]

I'll check back on my morning break . . . maybe I can get a copy of the instructions to ya then.