Big Block A body possible with a Column shift Automatic?

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lemondana

lemondana

BlackDart
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Has anyone ever built a big block A Body with a column shift automatic. If so, what is all involved with getting this to work. I've never seen one.
 
My '72 dart 440 still has the column shift automatic. It was an original 318 car. I just went to the scrap yard and pulled all the linkage from a mid 70's big block Cordoba and it all went right on the Dart like it was made that way!
 
mopower440 said:
My '72 dart 440 still has the column shift automatic. It was an original 318 car. I just went to the scrap yard and pulled all the linkage from a mid 70's big block Cordoba and it all went right on the Dart like it was made that way!
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And what did you use for kickdown linkage, Lokar? All the linkage from any small block and 727 equipped A-Body would have all the proper linkage except for the kickdown linkage would be a bit different. Of course if you are running a manual valve body then no issues.
 
I have a 383 , 727 in a '72 Scamp column shift with t.t.i. headers . works great . You need a upper lever ( they're all the same) , to a cross shaft , connected to a frame bracket (all the same), a stud on the 727, at the inboard end of the crosshaft is an adjustable rod that connects to a lever (gear selector ) coming out of the trans . there are several crosshafts but they all have the same ratio and all will work . There are also a lot of shift levers but the besto ne is a B&M . My setup works fine once I got the shift adjustment right which took some time . I like it a lot . BTW I have some spare linkage if your interested but factory links work great .
 
HemiSSDart said:
And what did you use for kickdown linkage, Lokar? All the linkage from any small block and 727 equipped A-Body would have all the proper linkage except for the kickdown linkage would be a bit different. Of course if you are running a manual valve body then no issues.
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yes a lokar cable from summit years ago. The kickdown linkage looked like it was going to hit the firewall so i got the lokar. woks fine.
 
I have boxes full of various linkages, so that wouldn't be a problem. On the stock BB A Body kickdown, isn't the upper bellcrank a little narrower or repositioned to clear the wiring going into the firewall. I thought I remember seeing some original BB car like that. Thanks everybody for the info. I just didn't know if it was even possible.
 
lemondana said:
I have boxes full of various linkages, so that wouldn't be a problem. On the stock BB A Body kickdown, isn't the upper bellcrank a little narrower or repositioned to clear the wiring going into the firewall. I thought I remember seeing some original BB car like that. Thanks everybody for the info. I just didn't know if it was even possible.
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K.D. linkage is a Lokar item . Much simpler than stupid mopar stuff . FYI , every time you change carbs you must readjust the k.d. linkage .
 
lemondana said:
I have boxes full of various linkages, so that wouldn't be a problem. On the stock BB A Body kickdown, isn't the upper bellcrank a little narrower or repositioned to clear the wiring going into the firewall. I thought I remember seeing some original BB car like that. Thanks everybody for the info. I just didn't know if it was even possible.
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The big block A-body upper bellcrank has the down rod and the rod going to the carb on the same side so that the linkage doesn’t hit the bulkhead wiring block.
 
i put a 440/727 in a 65 dart that was /6 with a column shift auto (borg warner with a cable from memory). i just made a new rod from the column lever in the engine compartment to the shift lever on the trans'. i made fenderwell headers so no clearance issues there.
neil.
 
My question is why do you want to keep the column shift? is it because that's existing and saves money? I've always felt fumbly trying to be a ricky racer with a column shift.
 
Jesus Chrysler said:
My question is why do you want to keep the column shift? is it because that's existing and saves money? I've always felt fumbly trying to be a ricky racer with a column shift.
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I would like to install a floor shifter but dont want t cut a hole in my floor. Wondering if anyone makes an automatic floor shifter thats cable driven that just bolts to the solid floor so i wouldnt have to cut the floor out?
 
Jesus Chrysler said:
My question is why do you want to keep the column shift? is it because that's existing and saves money? I've always felt fumbly trying to be a ricky racer with a column shift.
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The reason is that it is different than a floor shifter. I dislike consoles. less expensive and I can fit three people in the front . I have a bench seat .
 
My 67 Dart is a pristine car with original paint and about everything else. 2 dr hardtop, bench seat and an underpowered 273-2. Up to this point I haven't disturbed really anything on the car yet except for different wheels and tires. It has a 2.71 rear with 225-70-15 rear tires. I drive my cars on the Interstate a lot. I was just basically thinking aloud with the big block question. Probably won't happen in my life time
Jesus Chrysler said:
My question is why do you want to keep the column shift? is it because that's existing and saves money? I've always felt fumbly trying to be a ricky racer with a column shift.
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Why a column shift? Personally, I like the auto on column. The car came that way, interior is mint, my car will rarely ever see a drag strip, split bench seat my lady can sit closer, my car has AC and it's going back in - big 3 vent box right below middle of the dash. I could go on and on.
 
Same here my 68 is a factory column shift and it's staying that way. Interior is way too nice to chop up for a hokey floor shift. I'm in my 50's and with my high school sweetheart.She still wants to sit next to me and the column shift makes it possible.

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Back in late 1967, my grandfather bought a white with gold vinyl interior 68 Dart 383/727 car & it was a column shift car. I was young & I don't remember what trim package it had but it was the first car he & my grandmother owned that had air conditioning. He traded in a 60 Ford Fairlane with an old Y block in it.
 
My 71 Demon is 440/727 column shift. Fenderwell headers and Cheetah reverse manual valve body, no kickdown needed. My car was originally a 340 auto on the column. Factory linkage is used.
 
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The very first one I built was a column shift B wedge. It was a bet and I used only parts from the dart and the donor engine and trans. I used all the original column parts, built the mounts, and angle milled the LH manifold. But it was a C body log.
 
lemondana said:
Has anyone ever built a big block A Body with a column shift automatic. If so, what is all involved with getting this to work. I've never seen one.
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I have a68 383 dart original 273 car ,I modified my stock colum shift linkage,its work very good
 
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