78 Lemans Shift equalizer levers

[Ferret]

Hi there folks!

I need your support on this one: my 78 Lemans blew its transmission and instead of the stock TH200C I swapped in a TH400 along with a new cross member made by GForce. Up here, everything works perfect and no custom work was necessary: only remove old, place new, bolt on and done. The car has standart floor shift, with a cable going to the transmission lever, which itself is linked to some equalizer levers going to the steering column. Nooooooow, here's the problem:

the shift lever of the TH400 is not at the same place as on the TH200C --> Captain Obvious strikes here, since both transmissions have different dimensions. From what I know, the TH400 was an option with the 350cui V8 in combination with the floor shift. what I need is the entire linkage between steering-colum, frame and transmission in order to get the th400 working smoothly, as it should. :-?

If someone could help me out on this, I would owe him a big favor Thanks in advance for any kind of help 😀

 

[383S10]

All you need is a longer stiffer cable that would be stand alone without the bar just like when you buy an aftermarket shifter like from B&M.......take a look at how Lokar made their work on the 400 trans maybe it can give you idea how to make a fix for yours.......

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-Hi- ... 37694.html

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-6-I ... 64082.html

http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Lokar-Nos ... 43364.html

 

[Ferret]

The cable is not the problem. It is long enough, since the transmission wandered a few inch backwards. The issue is with these guys here:

http://i.ebayimg.com/t/1969-1970-1971-1 ... ~60_12.JPG

http://www.frankspontiacparts.com/engin ... fc4960.jpg

These pictures are for illustration purpose only. They don't fit anymore, since the angles of approach/fixation changed, and before I throw in lots of money by having some durable custom made (I lack the forging tools and knowledge and the car can't be moved from its actual location), I prefer searching for the correct ones from a 78 Grand Lemans who got delivered with a TH400 on a 350 block 😉 They are required, since the shifter lever is in the middle console and the electronics for tail lights, neutral switch, etc. are located on the steering column. 😀 I want to keep the car as original as possible.


Oh, and I also tried this:

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/IDT-2801050010/

failure as well, since my steering column isn't long enough past the firewall in order to mount the kit...

 

[383S10]

Have you tried getting a measurement for the difference of distance between the two locations(original and new) and another thing to look at is can you adjust the orientation of the shift level on the TH400 to give you a better angle to work with?

 

[Bonnewagon]

Firstly, you will never find a '78 LeMans T-400 backdrive linkage for sale. That said, you don't need it. All it did was allow the key to be turned with the trans in "park" or "neutral". It is a safety/anti-theft feature. You can remove it all, and secure the tab that sticks out of the lower steering column in the "park" position so it can't move. Then the car will start in any shift position so you must be carefull. If you insist on keeping a backdrive linkage, then just modify it to work with the new trans. The frame end can probably be repositioned to line up better and the long rod is adjustable. Good move on the T-400 by the way.

 

[Ferret]

Have you tried getting a measurement for the difference of distance between the two locations(original and new) and another thing to look at is can you adjust the orientation of the shift level on the TH400 to give you a better angle to work with?

I tried by comparing the transmission size charts, but none give a clue about the position of the TH200C selector. guess I was too careless when I threw the old transmission away about your secont tip, I lost you 🙁 don't know what you exactly wanted me to do. if you like, send me a pm with more details 🙂

Firstly, you will never find a '78 LeMans T-400 backdrive linkage for sale. That said, you don't need it. All it did was allow the key to be turned with the trans in "park" or "neutral". It is a safety/anti-theft feature. You can remove it all, and secure the tab that sticks out of the lower steering column in the "park" position so it can't move. Then the car will start in any shift position so you must be carefull. If you insist on keeping a backdrive linkage, then just modify it to work with the new trans. The frame end can probably be repositioned to line up better and the long rod is adjustable. Good move on the T-400 by the way.

I would get rid of the levers, but it is a little too dangerous in my oppinion. also, I want the car to be as original as possible. Sounds stupid now, but I never considered to cut a new, longer plate for the frame end. the long rod will be a lot easier to replace by a custom made than the short one with its several bends... thank you 😀

 

[383S10]

A piece like this would go on the trans selector shaft then you can rotate it to the right angle so it will work without binding up.......bending a rod to the angle can accomplish this too.......and I do understand you want to keep it original but without photos of the actual problem we are all trying give an ideal that we think that might help work to be the fix.......

This is an example of an adjustable gear selector adapter........you can set it at any angle you need to make it work for you.........

 

[Bonnewagon]

" but I never considered to cut a new, longer plate for the frame end." I'm wondering if a linkage from a larger car would be adaptable? Like a full size Bonneville or Caprice. That would be a lot easier to source on this side of the pond. By the way, does Radio Luxembourg still exist? When I was stationed in Germany I lived for that radio station. It came in best at night out in the field.

 

[383S10]

Wow smallworld sometimes.....I was stationed in Germany also...in Wiesbaden on a little kaserne called Camp Piere near Lindsey Air Station down from the Amelia Erhardt hospital.....loved the German bier and food.......

 

[Bonnewagon]

"loved the German bier and food.." Roger that! I was with 16th Engineer Battalion, 1rst AD, Johnson Barracks, in Furth, right outside Nurnburg. A big mistake sending a beer lover into Beer Heaven! And Radio Luxembourg at night, well, that was just the icing on the cake.