Overdrive transmission into a 72 challenger: shifter and linkage question

[Steve Reiter]

I have an overdrive that was in a pickup, so it has the correct rear tail shaft housing. I also have an A body shifter with no rods, but I do have the tabs that connect to the case cover. I have to order the correct spacer for the challenger and I need to find shifter rods. Do any of you have suggestions on how to make this work?

 

[moparleo]

What kind of transmission out of what kind of truck ??? A body shifter ?? what year for what trans ?? floor or column ?? Details really help a lot.

 

[Steve Reiter]

What kind of transmission out of what kind of truck ??? A body shifter ?? what year for what trans ?? floor or column ?? Details really help a lot.

thanks for taking the time: here is the trans: Aluminum main case, c13157 bearing retainer & c99539 tailshaft housing. This was a floor shift trans. I have the hearst shifter that came with it, a 6353 shifter which I believe is an A body shifter. the seller told me that the transmission was originally an a body that he took apart and put the longer shaft into with the longer ebody tail shaft housing. So it a bit cobbled up. I have the correct bellhousing. I don't have a flywheel yet, or clutch/pressure plate. And the bearing retainer has to be replaced. Passon and Brewers insist that I have to have an ebody shifter. I'm just wondering if I can order the correct rods and modify them to fit this shifter. Sorry about the parts confusion. I'm just trying to get this the car on the road for a few years before I invest in either the passon overdrive upgrade or the actual 5 speed they do have. Also, the shifter has a handle but I'm sure I can't use it. Too long and pointed in a weird kind of direction when I compare to pictures of the challenger shifters.

 

[moparleo]

My opinion ? Go with the pros. Why end up with a "Frankenstein Monster" ( Various parts and pieces) that will most likely not work properly and no-one will be able to diagnose any problems because it is a one off. Sell the parts and just go with a 4 speed for now. Then when you convert to the o/d you will already have your flywheel, shifter etc... to use with the o/d unit. And you can easily sell what you no longer need.

 

[magnum440]

e body shifter, rods and tabs work ,,i put one in my 70 challenger just had to flip the rods,if not od ends up being 3rd ..hth

 

[Chryco Psycho]

I agree with Magnum 440
I have done a lot of these conversions , the E body shifter & rods will work , the levers sit at different angles on the OD shift cover so you may need a set of E body also , I usually have had to bend the 3-4 shift rod slightly to clear the trans crossmember as the lever is upside down to have the correct shift pattern .
The front brg retainer can be turned down on a lathe from 5.125" to 4.80" so you do not have to replace it