1965 Barracuda Auto to Manual? Advice/Thoughts?

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WI-Barracuda

WI-Barracuda

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Hello everyone. I have been reading a lot of the forums on this topic and just wanted to get some additional input from anyone willing to help out. I recently picked up 2 1965 Barracudas. One is a floor shifted auto and the parts car was manual trans car. I believe the previous owner was going to make the auto car into a manual, using the parts from the other one. I am torn on if I should or even want to follow that same route. I believe I have most of the parts from the parts car to do the conversion, but wanted to see if anyone cared to chime in if it is worth while doing if I am just looking for a driver car. Or am I better off just selling the parts car and sticking with the auto?

Thanks in advance.
 
65 Cudas are not in general high end cars, so originality is not a big concern. If it was a # matching 273 4 bbl car I would consider leaving it original. Me I love to bang the gears and I have changed over several over the decades. I am old and was raised up on, and learned to drive on a stick. Many younger people today have never drove anything but an auto.
 
I like automatics, but it really depends on your preference. Also, how are your fabrication skills? For some the conversion is not a big deal, for others it's nearly impossible! 65'
 
I don't think my skills are terrible, but I am no master mechanic. I have a friend who used to build drag cars that is going to be helping me out with as much as he can, so I think we could get that part of it done.
 
I have one of each and I get tired driving the 4 speed car. I'm not tired of the car but I get tired driving it. Manual steering, brakes and a 4 speed keeps you pretty busy cruising around town. I enjoy hopping into the other car with automatic and power steering.
 
Sounds like you are leaning 4 spd. You already have an example parts car to see what is required for the conversion. Go for it! 65'
 
I think driver car is the key. If you were planning to sell the car a four speed floor shift would be a plus. Because of the gearing and gear selection its a bit faster. But until that time why change it? As #5 says, the auto is a more comfortable driver. The console is nice and still plenty cool. Put your time on other things.
 
I live out in the sticks so I never drive in town. This country has one light! I also prefer manual steering!! Like said, check out the parts car to see what is involved. Simple when you have a sick car to roboff of. If I remember right, the Z bar pivot on frame just bolts on there. Any missing parts can be had from Brewers Perf. or off fabo.
 
If you have all the conversion parts, it’s a relatively easy conversion
 
If you have never got to enjoy a fun 3 pedal car you owe it to yourself to try it..... It's not for everyone but the fun factor goes way up and especially if you have some power....

My last one was a 540 in a chevelle with a 5 speed and there is nothing like it...

JW
 
4 speed is more fun. If you want to improve gas mileage/ engine wear you can swap in the OD 4 speed too. If I had the choice I would go 4 speed over manual everyday.
 
Is the parts car a 3 speed or 4 speed? I ask because the 4speed has a sheet metal hump you need in the center tunnel.
The 4 speed is much more fun to drive unless you are in traffic.
 
I believe the parts car was a 4 speed. The sheet metal is good and I have the gear box, pedals and shifter. Just wondering if I am better off selling the parts car with all the parts, even though we don't have a title.
 
my wife asked me what the difference was between driving the 4-speed V8 Barracuda (with no power nothing) and driving the 6-speed auto V6 Journey - I told her the difference can be summed up in one word: "physical". You feel everything that's going on with your car - you're so involved - clutch, brake, gas, shifter, steering - I love it, and I'm 68 with bum knees, wear a stretchy brace on my left knee in the Barracuda :thumbsup: :canada:
 
All I got to say about a transmission decision between an Automatic and a Manual is:

20150805_203443[1].jpg
 
It’s really down to whether you want to do the work and if a 4 speed would worth the effort. I usually like driving a manual but in heavy traffic it isn’t fun.
 
Well it sounds like the majority of you think I should go with the switch to a manual car. My only concern is that I would not be able to sell the parts car if I take all the 4-speed goodies out of it. I need to pay for this project somehow!? :)
 
Any plan for your wife to drive the Barracuda? When I had a 4 speed 65 Barracuda my wife took it shopping. It jumped away from a stop sign and stalled out blocking both sides of a very busy street.That was the last time she drove it.
 
There is just something right about shifting when you want, or full on power shifting with a Hurst Shifter. As for the parts car, almost everything is worth something on a 65 Cuda. Or try selling the 4 speed car and see what it brings. If not high enough do as you want. I have done the swap a few times on early A Bodies and they turned out very nice. I'm getting ready to convert our 67 Cuda from console Auto to 4 speed O/D this winter.
 
My wife absolutely loves driving the Duster, she was a farm girl growing up, not very many farm trucks or tractors had automatics back in the day.
 
I took the four-speed from a '64 Barracuda and installed it in my '65 Valiant four-door. No problem with the swap. If you do this, I recommend highly installing a firewall brace to limit firewall flex when using a stiff performance pressure plate. I ran my brace from a lower bolt/stud of the brake master cylinder to the inner fenderwell.

If you look closely in the foto, you can see a black round tube directly under the master cylinder/brake line and again you can see it under one of the yellow header tubes as it reaches forward.

65 Valiant4.jpeg
 
My advice is to convert to 4 speed but keep all the automatic stuff in case you want to convert back to automatic.

I converted my Dart to 4 speed and then back to automatic for the HOTROD Power Tour where there are hours of stop and go driving.

It's an easy swap back to automatic. Clutch pedal is tucked under the carpet and a blank over the shifter opening.
 
WI-Barracuda said:
I believe the parts car was a 4 speed. The sheet metal is good and I have the gear box, pedals and shifter. Just wondering if I am better off selling the parts car with all the parts, even though we don't have a title.
Click to expand...

Is the 4 speed car good. You can usually get a Salvage title if you are putting a car back together. That's how I got my 68 383 Formula S.
 
4 speed. You will have a fun car regardless of engine choice.
As mentioned, resale with 4speed always a plus.
Almost done with mine...……


D.
 
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