HELP TH400 issues with the shift linkage. What do I miss here?

[FluoFerret]

Feeling like a bloody noob right now, but I am having a hard time to get the TH400 in my Lemans hooked up correctly. I wish to use the OEM shift linkage principle to keep the reverse light switch on the steering column, as well as keeping the mechanical neutral safety.
The good news is: the shift pattern of the TH400 matches the original shifter. The bad news is... well, the linkage doesn't hook up on the bracket of the frame anymore. The geometry is misaligned. Have a look:



The transmission sits exactly where it should, as it fits perfect on the mounts of the new crossmember, intended for the TH400 on a G-Body, as well as with the engine, sitting on the OEM Chevy V8 mounts.
If I remember correctly, there was a Buick V6 paired with a TH200C installed...

The questions haunting me now are:
1. Are there other frame brackets?
2. Will the one of a TH350 fit and solve this problem?
3. Do I need to make a custom one, and what issues will this create?

As always, any help will be much appreciated. Anybody who has parts for sale that could help here, please message me.

 

[FluoFerret]

*UPDATE*
Well, since the eyelet of the pivot bracket is off by a few centimeters, I am now back to metal works, and I started to recreate a new pivot bracket by using a scrap one...

 

[500/600]

That’s the spirit! Make it work.

 

[Techman]

It shouldn’t be a problem. I have a 442 which I put a BBC and TH400 in. Linkage hooked up in OEM spot without issue. Something isn’t correct in your setup. One of the engine mount bolts hangs over the frame. You only utilize 3 of the 4 bolts for chevy engines.

 

[Techman]

 

[mikester]

View attachment 138116

How will those lines fit as far as header clearance ?
I had to reroute the brake line to make it higher on the cradle so it was further away from the tube. Same with the fuel line. Instead of hard line I had to run AN through the oval slot in the front of the frame. Of course I found this out AFTER the motor was back in the 81. Only good thing was I had the line for the wagon made the same way so I could put it in ahead of time.

 

[Techman]

How will those lines fit as far as header clearance ?
I had to reroute the brake line to make it higher on the cradle so it was further away from the tube. Same with the fuel line. Instead of hard line I had to run AN through the oval slot in the front of the frame. Of course I found this out AFTER the motor was back in the 81. Only good thing was I had the line for the wagon made the same way so I could put it in ahead of time.

View attachment 138120

Mine had the olds motor so fuel lines were routed through the frame on the correct side. My headers were Dougs headers and I have maybe a 1/2” clearance on brake line. Not as much as I’d like.

 

[mikester]

1/2" is kinda close.

 

[Techman]

It is close. But boiling point for dot 3 is 300-400 degrees. Doubtful the fluid gets that hot with a airgap between header and line. Even a small air gap.

 

[FluoFerret]

It shouldn’t be a problem. I have a 442 which I put a BBC and TH400 in. Linkage hooked up in OEM spot without issue. Something isn’t correct in your setup. One of the engine mount bolts hangs over the frame. You only utilize 3 of the 4 bolts for chevy engines.

Got the Chevy Small Block Gen1 installed and it sits right where it is supposed to be.
=============================================
I believe I found the issue:
(please correct me if I am wrong)

The pivot bracket is the same for each and every G-Body.

The difference is the rod that goes from the transmission into this bracket. The one I have is for a TH200C, a transmission that sits a little further to the back. Here's a picture of the complete set.


The one for a TH350 is apparently quite straight. Here's the picture I dug up for a shift linkage of a G-Body equipped with a TH350:

The fact that it is relatively straight, clears the position difference of the transmission to the pivot bracket.

Sooo, unless has and is willing to supply me with a suiting linkage rod, I will have to get back at the workbench for metalworks ^^
Yes, the last sentence was a question, a "pretty-please with corgi eyes"-one, since I am quite lazy right now