Newbie (sort of) needs some ideas...

So there's an adaptor, eh? I really like the cable shift, so I want to keep the trans..lol. .
The adapter is really just a "ring" that goes in the end of the late crank. Price is about $20 something dollars, but can be made by anyone with access to a lathe.
If you like the cable trans, really have some fun, and do what I did. Get a Push button shifter from a 64 "A" body, and mount it in a console on the floor. The only change required to the trans is to change the "Manual" valve in the valve body, and the "rooster comb", to the 64 pieces. Or you can just install a 64 valve body. I have my setup in a 66 Cuda, with a 170.