Automatic to 360/4-speed conversion

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ValiantK360

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Well, though I am far from this, I'm considering converting my automatic (column shifter) transmission to a 4-speed manual transmission when I drop my 360 into my '68 Valiant. I have never done this before, so it's new territory for me and it's just an idea that I'm considering, but have some questions about. I would like opinions on this too.

Okay for the questions part:

How much fabricating do I need to do into order to swap an auto trans to a manual trans?

Are the transmission tunnels different for the auto to the manual?

How much time and money would the conversion cost (the manual transmission itself, linkages, shifter, clutch, etc)?

How would I be able to disable and possibly remove the column shifter from the steering wheel?

Is it bad to "hack" apart the trans tunnel/floor to put the trans and shifter in?

What are the difficult parts of doing this process?

Overall I would probably need the step-by-step process for doing this. I see many people doing it for their cars and it would be pretty fun to drive. I love driving manual and want to turn my 4-door Valiant into a little performance valiant. :D

Now, what do all you you FABO people think of this? Good idea? Bad idea? Should I just leave it auto, slap a 727 in there and call it a day? Honestly I just want to go as fast as I can from the 360 I'm building...I like the fact that the manual has an extra gear, which can help with performance and a bit of fuel economy. What would be the best bet to go fast? I mean like have great acceleration (building my 360 for low-mid end power/torque) which practically pins you to your seat? I know the gear ratios are a factor there and I'm aiming for a very high 2 to a low 3 rear-end gear. Sorry if this is a lot, I hope I got my point across. ANY HELP/ADVICE IS MUCH APPRECIATED!
 

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How much time and money would the conversion cost (the manual transmission itself, linkages, shifter, clutch, etc)? I think everything needed from Brewers is the $3200.00 range very very simple to do and yes toss the damn automatic as far as you can go 3:23 or 3:55 gears if you don't want to bang the 4 speed hard you can go with the 833OD
 
How would I be able to disable and possibly remove the column shifter from the steering wheel? I think someone had a posting on here someplace about getting rid of the automatic stuff on the column I've done this several times again very very easy to do
 
We converted my dads Coronet, much the same process. You will need:

Transmission floor hump and front carpet that fits it
Transmission with shifter with A-body tail
Bell Housing and throw out arm
Clutch kit
Flywheel with correct balance
pedals or at least the brake and clutch pedals
Z-bar, lineages, ball pivots and spring
Frame bracket (this weld too the frame on the inner fender to support the z bar
Possibly a drive shaft or at least a yoke if your 904

You can gut the column of the shiter suff but you will need to take it apart or find a floor shift column.
 
We converted my dads Coronet, much the same process. You will need:

Transmission floor hump and front carpet that fits it
Transmission with shifter with A-body tail
Bell Housing and throw out arm
Clutch kit
Flywheel with correct balance
pedals or at least the brake and clutch pedals
Z-bar, lineages, ball pivots and spring
Frame bracket (this weld too the frame on the inner fender to support the z bar
Possibly a drive shaft or at least a yoke if your 904

You can gut the column of the shiter suff but you will need to take it apart or find a floor shift column.

Alright perfect! I will have to do a little research on those things for sure. :)
 
Make sure you get a bell that will fit the car. There was probably far more "sticks" in pu and those won't work.
 
^yup, tons of time to collect parts too. I got a Pro-matic shifted automatic and am happy as a clam!
 
Yeah... I think I will keep the automatic and just go with a nice 727. I did not realize it was so much money and work to do this. I guess it's better to just have an original 4-speed car. :banghead:

At least with automatic transmissions it's easier to drive in heavy traffic. After all, I live very close to Chicago, IL. :D
 
I have a 727 core I'll sell ya and it's sitting by the back of your car ;)
 
#1 almost none
#2 yes
#3 lots
#4 with wrenches
#5 yes , don't hack! Precision cut!
#6 see #3
%100 promise you'll make up the whole new set of curse words but also with that promise there is the promise you'll never regret it! :burnout:
 
If you want it to be "as fast as possible", I'd consider using a 904, if you go auto. Much less parasitic drag. Lots of race cars use them.

If you go stick, be careful when it comes to the flywheel, and more specifically, it's balance. I'm not sure if the 360 ever came with a stick. I think 360's were all externally balanced, and engine's that came with sticks were internally balanced. So, if using stock parts, you could end up with a bad vibration.
Maybe your 360 has been internally balanced, and maybe someone sells a flywheel that is for an externally balanced 360 if it isn't.
It's been a long time since I've considered what you're doing, so maybe someone could chime in to fill us in.
 
If you want it to be "as fast as possible", I'd consider using a 904, if you go auto. Much less parasitic drag. Lots of race cars use them.

If you go stick, be careful when it comes to the flywheel, and more specifically, it's balance. I'm not sure if the 360 ever came with a stick. I think 360's were all externally balanced, and engine's that came with sticks were internally balanced. So, if using stock parts, you could end up with a bad vibration.
Maybe your 360 has been internally balanced, and maybe someone sells a flywheel that is for an externally balanced 360 if it isn't.
It's been a long time since I've considered what you're doing, so maybe someone could chime in to fill us in.

Most aftermarket flywheels (like the 440 source one for about $150) have a bolt on weight for externally balanced and take it off for neutrally or internally balanced.:coffee2:
 
Most aftermarket flywheels (like the 440 source one for about $150) have a bolt on weight for externally balanced and take it off for neutrally or internally balanced.:coffee2:
Thanks, JP. I figured someone must sell one. It's been a long time. lol
 
If you want it to be "as fast as possible", I'd consider using a 904, if you go auto. Much less parasitic drag. Lots of race cars use them.

If you go stick, be careful when it comes to the flywheel, and more specifically, it's balance. I'm not sure if the 360 ever came with a stick. I think 360's were all externally balanced, and engine's that came with sticks were internally balanced. So, if using stock parts, you could end up with a bad vibration.
Maybe your 360 has been internally balanced, and maybe someone sells a flywheel that is for an externally balanced 360 if it isn't.
It's been a long time since I've considered what you're doing, so maybe someone could chime in to fill us in.



FWIW the 360 did come in front of a manual trans.
 
The flywheel from 440 source comes with one weight that has to be cut down to proper weight and rebalanced to work with a 440,400,340,or 360 external balance engines. all four engines have different balance weights, and the 440 has 2, 1 for 6pack rods and 1 for cast crank.
 
Thanks for info, folks. Maybe ValiantK360 will reconsider the stick shift option.
I have a 360 and 727 (was part of a package deal) for my 74 Dart Sport. If I don't bracket race it, I want to put a 4 spd in it for the street. The car has a clutch pedal; that's all I have now, for the swap, lol.
Sorry for the hijack...
 
Thanks for info, folks. Maybe ValiantK360 will reconsider the stick shift option.
I have a 360 and 727 (was part of a package deal) for my 74 Dart Sport. If I don't bracket race it, I want to put a 4 spd in it for the street. The car has a clutch pedal; that's all I have now, for the swap, lol.
Sorry for the hijack...
why wouldn't you bracket race with a 4 speed ?
 
people that have 4 speeds generally love em. I do. the bad part is its hard for people to piece them together now days. . hard to find an original parts car for your applicarion, too, which is best way to get there.

Brewers can furnish the while thing or help you with missing parts/pieces.

yep any way you look at it, takes money and work from you or someone. whats new there!?????

the column? I have cut off shifter handle, a little fiberglass and body filler, you could not tell/
 
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