Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism
dludvik76
Posted 2019-11-30 8:14 PM (#590946)
Subject: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism


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Hi everyone, I'm looking for a 3 speed transmission selector and shift mechanism. If you have one please reach out to me. Thanks!
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56D500boy
Posted 2019-11-30 8:59 PM (#590948 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: RE: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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dludvik76 - 2019-11-30 5:14 PM
Hi everyone, I'm looking for a 3 speed transmission selector and shift mechanism.


I presume that you mean for a 3 spd TorqueFlite Automatic??

Even so, you probably should mention for which car and year. There are differences.



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dludvik76
Posted 2019-11-30 10:34 PM (#590951 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism


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Thanks. And sorry about that. Yes, looking for the mechanism for a 64 Torquflite that we're putting into our 56 Belvedere along with a 318 poly.
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56D500boy
Posted 2019-12-01 2:42 AM (#590955 - in reply to #590951)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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dludvik76 - 2019-11-30 7:34 PM Yes, looking for the mechanism for a 64 Torquflite that we're putting into our 56 Belvedere along with a 318 poly.


Okay. You are going to have a few issues to deal with.

First one is I think by 1964 the pushbutton shifters were now equipped with a parking pall (a lever to put the trans in Park). You will need a way to work with or without that pall.



If you can live with that (or figure out away around it), this 63 Dodge Polara box might work:

https://www.ebay.ca/itm/1963-DODGE-POLARA-PUSHBUTTON-AUTOMATIC-SHIFT...

Second one is if you can get a shifter box, you will likely be able to mount it in a 56 Plymouth shifter box dash "pod" but you will have to search out "straight" type push bottons (the Powerflite R N D will probably work but the L will only work for either "2" or "1", you will need to find a fifth button.

Third issue will be making a 5 button shifter plate to fit in the Plymouth shifter pod. The 57-58 D100 Truck Loadflite 3 spd auto plate might work with some modification and extension.








Edited by 56D500boy 2019-12-01 2:46 AM
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GaryS
Posted 2019-12-01 5:57 AM (#590958 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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Back in 2014 I played with the idea of modifying a '64 Valiant shifter mechanism to operate the three speed A-727 in my project '56 Plymouth.

I did several mockups and managed to get it to function, but gave up because of the excessive pressure needed to push the buttons. If interested, you can read about some of the ideas I came up with, and also see the '56 Plymouth plate with five buttons and the '64 park lever incorporated in the stock pod. Someday I'd like to take another shot at the idea, but it took up too much of my free time to pursue.

https://56plymouth.blogspot.com/2014/

Edited by GaryS 2019-12-01 6:04 AM
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56D500boy
Posted 2019-12-01 10:20 AM (#590969 - in reply to #590958)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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GaryS - 2019-12-01 2:57 AM Back in 2014 I played with the idea of modifying a '64 Valiant shifter mechanism to operate the three speed A-727 in my project '56 Plymouth.
I did several mockups and managed to get it to function, but gave up because of the excessive pressure needed to push the buttons. If interested, you can read about some of the ideas I came up with, and also see the '56 Plymouth plate with five buttons and the '64 park lever incorporated in the stock pod. Someday I'd like to take another shot at the idea, but it took up too much of my free time to pursue.
/


Well I think you did a great job on the Shifter pod:

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dludvik76
Posted 2019-12-01 10:15 PM (#590990 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism


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Some great info here, thanks! I'll read up on the detail in the link, really appreciate the guidance all.
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Powerflite
Posted 2019-12-02 11:47 AM (#591006 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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Many '57-'58 shifters are the same as what you need. The hard part is getting the right buttons. You need those from a '57-'64 Dodge truck and they are hard to find. Next, making the new faceplate to fit the Plymouth is non-trivial. Where did you get the material to make it Gary?
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GaryS
Posted 2019-12-02 12:21 PM (#591011 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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The reason I used the '64 mechanism was to incorporate the Park feature which was part of the mechanism, but there might be better candidates to use.

I bought the embossed aluminum online from a company that specializes in small quantities. The spacing of the pattern is not quite correct to match the '56 OEM material, but it's close enough to not be noticeable. I replaced all the stock material with the material I bought. If you need a small amount, I have some extra.

I made my own buttons from clear Lucite. The are crudely made as it was just a test design and if I had continued to proceed I would have made nicer ones from green Lucite to make them look more stock. The clear plastic makes the lighting a little too harsh. I probably would have also tried to switch the N and R locations, but it would have required a very complex button shape. The letters and numbers were also crudely done by heating steel stamps and branding them in.

The brass sleeve was also purchased online, and the engraved badges were done by a local trophy shop.

It was a fun attempt, and I would like to try again using electronic switching and motion control.

Edited by GaryS 2019-12-02 12:24 PM
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Powerflite
Posted 2019-12-02 1:45 PM (#591015 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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I would like to purchase enough extra aluminum material to make a '56 Plymouth bezel from you Gary. Send me an email on my PM to let me know cost. Thanks!
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finsruskw
Posted 2019-12-02 3:03 PM (#591016 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: Re: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism


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Ever give a console shifter w/park a thought??
I have one from a 64 300 K that would do the trick I believe.
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Powerflite
Posted 2019-12-02 5:20 PM (#591018 - in reply to #590946)
Subject: RE: Looking for a 3 speed selector and mechanism



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I personally don't like consoles. One of the things I really dislike about newer cars. But I am biased because I usually have my wife or one of my daughters sitting in the middle as I am transporting 6 people around.



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