The Forward Look Network
The Forward Look Network
Search | Statistics | User Listing Forums | Chat | eBay | Calendars | Albums | Skins | Language
You are logged in as a guest. ( logon | register )

Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
View previous thread :: View next thread
   Forward Look Technical Discussions -> Transmission and Rear AxleMessage format
 
56D500boy
Posted 2019-03-24 9:41 PM (#579849)
Subject: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
My shifter housing is in serious need of a paint stripping and repainting. While I was testing the installation of a Torqueflite shifter box, I took the time to note the location of the two bolts that hold the shifter box to the dash. I presume that the shifter housing was attached to the dash before the dash was installed in the car. I only want to paint the shifter box, not totally remove my dash. So can the shifter box be removed somehow? Tricks?

The current state of my shifter box (not pretty):



The two bolts that seem to be the ones holding the shifter box to the dash (I think I saw the head of one bolt when I stuck my head up under the dash - but not the other one.):

Edited by 56D500boy 2019-03-24 9:43 PM




(1956DodgePowerfliteShifterHousingAttachmentBolts.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 1956DodgePowerfliteShifterHousingAttachmentBolts.jpg (237KB - 364 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wizard
Posted 2019-03-25 2:36 AM (#579855 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13042
500050002000100025
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island
Well, I'd say that it's possible to remove them - but to get them back seems more difficult.

Take a Dremel grinder with a small cutting blade and carefully grind a slot in the screws.
With an angled screwdriver it should be possible to loosen the screws https://www.elfadistrelec.no/en/angled-screwdrivers-angled-90-mm-wih...

When you mount it, you could perhaps use clips for metal screws and philips screws from the accessible side
Top of the page Bottom of the page
60 dart
Posted 2019-03-25 5:01 AM (#579858 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 8947
50002000100050010010010010025
Location: WHEELING,WV.>>>HOME OF WWVA
has to be bolted from the other side of the panel . no hand room ?????????????? . if you can't get it out , how'd the factory bolt it in . has to be a simple solution!--------------------------------------later
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2019-03-25 8:44 AM (#579862 - in reply to #579858)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
60 dart - 2019-03-25 2:01 AM

has to be bolted from the other side of the panel . no hand room ?????????????? . if you can't get it out , how'd the factory bolt it in . has to be a simple solution!


Yeh, the factory pre-assembled the dash, including the shifter housing, before the dash was installed into the car. That Plymouth assembly line video showed that. So the easy answer is "Step 1. Remove Dash".

LOL

Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2019-03-25 8:47 AM (#579863 - in reply to #579855)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
Sven: I agree with 100% of what you said. I've already thought that one through and even then it won't be easy.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-05 3:04 PM (#606417 - in reply to #579863)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
I've been thinking about this shifter housing for sometime now and I really want to remove it and paint it, ASAP (It's bugging me)

Sometime ago, I found a shifter housing for sale on eBay and saved the photos from the auction. After reviewing the photos, I *think* (hope) I have a potentially successful plan to get at and remove those side bolts on the side of the housing that hold the housing to the dash. There are three bolts but the third one is accessible above the heater and defroster fan switches.

So here is my plan:

1. Remove the shifter box (cable still attached) from its mounting plate in the shifter housing
2. Spray the three screws that hold the shifter box mounting plate to the shifter housing
3. Remove the lower shifter housing bolt (this will also get me the size of the head of the mounting bolts on the side of the housing)
4. Remove the shifter box mouting plate (the three screws). Place the plate in a de-rusting bath for paint prep
5. Attack (access) the upper side mounting bolt in the gap made available by removing the shifter box mounting plate. Remove that bolt
6. *Somehow* access and remove the lower side mouting bolt (this is the biggest unknown at the moment)
7. Strip and repaint the shifter housing.
8. Installation is the reverse of removal.

I hope.





(56DodgePotMetalShifterHousingShowingTheThreeMountingBoltsAndShifterBoxMountingPlate_Annotated.jpg)



(ShifterHousingLowerBoltAboveHeaterFanSwitch_small_Annotated.jpg)



(56DodgePushButtonShifterAndShifterHousing_Annotated.jpg)



(56DodgeShifterHousing_Inside_Annotated.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 56DodgePotMetalShifterHousingShowingTheThreeMountingBoltsAndShifterBoxMountingPlate_Annotated.jpg (247KB - 268 downloads)
Attachments ShifterHousingLowerBoltAboveHeaterFanSwitch_small_Annotated.jpg (163KB - 274 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgePushButtonShifterAndShifterHousing_Annotated.jpg (213KB - 271 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeShifterHousing_Inside_Annotated.jpg (221KB - 270 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
samstrader
Posted 2020-12-05 6:55 PM (#606427 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 443
10010010010025
Location: Beaumont TX
Can you remove the assembly that holds the ammeter? This may give enough room to access the bolts with a small open end wrench. If the bolts are 1/4 inch, they will use a 7/16 inch wrench. If the bolts are 5/16, they will use a 1/2 inch wrench.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-05 7:54 PM (#606430 - in reply to #606427)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
samstrader - 2020-12-05 3:55 PM
Can you remove the assembly that holds the ammeter?


Sam: The ammeter is not in the way. It is to the right of the shifter housing. The bolts that need accessing are on the left side of the housing.

I will get the wrench size figured when I give the lower shifter housing bolt a go with my 1/4" socket set.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-06 6:29 PM (#606477 - in reply to #606427)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
samstrader - 2020-12-05 3:55 PM If the bolts are 1/4 inch, they will use a 7/16 inch wrench. If the bolts are 5/16, they will use a 1/2 inch wrench.


Got the shifter box out and started attacking the housing bolts. Tried 3/8" socket on the lower (rear) shifter housing bolt. Too small. Tried 7/16" seemed too big. Tried 11 mm. Worked. Got the bolt out. Tried it in the 7/16" socket and it fit fine. Go figure. (See chart below)

I can touch the head of the lower side housing bolt but I could not get my 7/16" ratcheting gear wrench on it. Tried the open end and got it to move a smidge. Taking a break and then will try my shortest 7/16" socket and mini-ratchet. Working upside down in the foot well is my idea of a fun Sunday afternoon (NOT).

Taking photos of those screws holding the shifter box mounting plate to the shifter housing is one thing. Actually getting at them is a whole other thing.

UPDATE: Got the screws out of the mounting plate and removed it. Didn't really improve access to the upper side mounting bolt. That is going to be a beotch. Neither the gear wrench or the socket/ratchet work. Tried both my stubby and long 7/16" wrenches but got very little. I did get like 1/12 of a turn on both the upper side and lower side mounting bolts but not much more.

Try again tomorrow.






Edited by 56D500boy 2020-12-06 9:44 PM




(BoltSizesStandardToMetric.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments BoltSizesStandardToMetric.jpg (56KB - 275 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-07 9:42 PM (#606500 - in reply to #606477)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
Looks like I will be throwing in the towel on this one. I've removed the rear shifter housing bolt and I got the lower side shifter housing bolt to move 1/12th of turn but no more.

I concentrated on the upper side shifter housing bolt today and make a bit of progress after filing away some dash material that was preventing me from getting much more of turn on the bolt. But after spending more that 2 hours trying to make progress, I might have gotten two full turns on the bolt. But now I am at the point where unless I remove a significant amount more of the dash substructure, my wrench will get trapped and the bolt will not be able to be removed.

There is absolutely no room to work up in there and the conditions are awful (my head is on the brake pedal and I am lying on the door sill with the door open). There might be a way to get a 1" hole saw up there but even then, I still can't get the lower side bolt to move anymore (can't get a wrench, gear wrench or socket on the bolt). Pretty sure that I am done.

Plan B: Paint the housing insitu. (Not my first choice but now it seems to be the only choice).

I'll sleep on it but...

Two photos from today:

Edited by 56D500boy 2020-12-07 9:46 PM




(ShifterHousingUpperSideBolt_Dec7_Start_Annotated.jpg)



(ShifterHousingUpperSideBolt_Dec7_Finish_Annotated.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments ShifterHousingUpperSideBolt_Dec7_Start_Annotated.jpg (151KB - 276 downloads)
Attachments ShifterHousingUpperSideBolt_Dec7_Finish_Annotated.jpg (238KB - 261 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
samstrader
Posted 2020-12-08 11:40 AM (#606502 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: RE: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 443
10010010010025
Location: Beaumont TX

 --- There is absolutely no room to work up in there and the conditions are awful (my head is on the brake pedal and I am lying on the door sill with the door open).


I can totally relate to your comment here...  I hate working under the dash.  I hated it 50 years ago and I hate it more now.  I'm sorry you are having so much trouble but I don't see anyway to do this after looking at your pictures.  Everything is just too tight.  There is no room for anything.

I did paint my dash top portion insitu and it worked out better than I though it would.  Actually looks real good and I even clear coated it.  Taping up was not a bad as I thought it would be.  But not as good as removing the part like you are trying to do.

Good luck.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
wizard
Posted 2020-12-08 12:09 PM (#606504 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13042
500050002000100025
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island
Dave, I have made some cut down open spanners for to be able to remove bolts that have little access.
If you could just get a couple of turns you should be able to saw the bolt off. Then for to mount it, use a smaller bolt with a nut on the side where the bolt head is.

Also, I modified a flat top garden bench. Sawed off the legs to the same height as the upper side on the rocker. that way I can lay down on the bench without having to arch my back. This helps a lot.

By the way, I hate working under the dash as well
Top of the page Bottom of the page
samstrader
Posted 2020-12-08 3:30 PM (#606509 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 443
10010010010025
Location: Beaumont TX
Neat idea about making a bench the same height as the upper side of the rocker. I can see how this would really be a great help.

Another thing that helps is unbolting the front seat from the floor and moving the front seat back towards the back seat so you have more room between the front of the seat bench and the door jamb. But you just hate to move this much stuff around.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-08 8:32 PM (#606512 - in reply to #606504)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
wizard - 2020-12-08 9:09 AM
If you could just get a couple of turns you should be able to saw the bolt off. Then for to mount it, use a smaller bolt with a nut on the side where the bolt head is.


At this point I am definitely thinking saw through the bolts and figure out another way to mount the housing, as you have suggested.

I tried get a bi-metal hole saw up there by the upper side bolt but the drill extension I bought was too long. I should have gotten a shorter one. No room for me, a light and a drill in that limited footwell space.

I am thinking oscillating saw through the shifter box front opening - provided I can find a long reach narrow blade that can cut metal.

Maybe tomorrow. To defeated today.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-09 11:27 PM (#606563 - in reply to #606512)
Subject: Final solution for removal of the shifter housing from a 56 Dodge



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
56D500boy - 2020-12-08 5:32 PM
At this point I am definitely thinking saw through the bolts and figure out another way to mount the housing, as you (wizard) have suggested.
I tried get a bi-metal hole saw up there by the upper side bolt but the drill extension I bought was too long. I should have gotten a shorter one. No room for me, a light and a drill in that limited footwell space.
I am thinking oscillating saw through the shifter box front opening - provided I can find a long reach narrow blade that can cut metal.
Maybe tomorrow. Too defeated today.


So first the GOOD NEWS: The 56 Dodge 1694290 shifter housing is off the dash. Whooptee Wow.

Now the less Good News: It was a *beotch* and naturally, if I had to do it over again, I would NOT. I'd figure out a way to sand, prime and paint the housing in-situ, still attached to the dash. Removal was way too much work.

Late yesterday, I tried my oscillating saw on the upper side bolt, through the front of the housing. I used a long (4") blade but it was a bit wider than I would have preferred but it did seem to work (somewhat). So I left it to try again today.

So first thing today, I tried the oscillating saw on the upper side bolt again. Some progress but not enough to win right away.

So I found my trusty old (40 years plus) hacksaw and stole its (not 40 year old) 12" blade and wrapped one end in masking tape and tried it on the upper side bolt through the front opening of the shifter housing. Better progress but slow. Tried from underneath, in the foot well but real slow (and very difficult).

My wife wanted to go for fancy coffees (cappuccinos) around 3 PM, so I said "Sure" but I said that "it has to be the one by the RONA (a version of Lowes) nearby the coffee shop". So while she ordered the coffees, I popped into the RONA and bought some new hacksaw blades and one of those small hack saw blade holder/handles.

When we got home after the coffees, I attacked the upper bolt with the new hacksaw blades (and handle) through the front of the shifter housing. More progress. Pretty sure I got through the upper bolt but the housing was still tight to the dash because the lower side bolt was still very tight.

To get at the lower side bolt, I pulled the plastic welting away from the groove between the housing and the dash and then used the oscillating saw with a narrow blade to create a hack saw blade opening in the crack between the housing and the dash. Then I got the hack saw blade in the newly cut groove and started sawing away. It wasn't too long before I could tell I was really winning. Pretty soon, the housing came off.

The dash has been marred by the various tools and I will have to do some sanding and priming before I paint. But that was going to happen anyway.

So I was left with the remnants of the two side bolts still in the housing to get out. I cut grooves/slots in the exposed stubs and tried to use a flat blade screw driver to get them out. The lower side bolt stub came out fine. The upper was very stuck (maybe this is why I failed with the wrench attempt(s)).

I took the housing into the house and ended up drilling through the upper side bolt stub and then trying a screw in the resulting hole (couldn't find my EZ-outs). Still wouldn't budge. Ended up using the proper sized tap for those bolts (1/4" x 20) to push the reticent bit of now hollow bolt out of the hole.

The photos below show the housing, the reticent bit of (now hollow) bolt and the shifter box mounting plate that spent 36 hours in a Rust-Eater bath. Looks good. I think I will just clear coat it.

Next will be the paint stripping, filling, sanding, priming, sanding and painting of the housing (and the dash, as needed).

Hey, I won!! (And no blood spilled or band-aids needed either!!)

I should note that every boss on the shifter housing, that has a threaded hole, is marked with the thread size and count, e.g. 1/4 x 20 for the big mounting bolts, 8-32 for some and 10-24 for others. Just found out that the 56 Dodge fender bolts (the ones visible in the engine bay) are 1/4 x 20 so now I just need to find some (2) 1/4 x 20 Nyloc nuts.





Edited by 56D500boy 2020-12-10 2:56 AM




(56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_theFinalSolution_1.jpg)



(56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_theFinalSolution_2.jpg)



(56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_TheHousingRemovedShowingSomeDamageToBeRepaired.jpg)



(56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_TheHousingRemoved_WithTheRustFreeShifterBoxMountingPlateAndReticentUpperSideBoltBit.jpg)



(56Dodge1694290ShifterHousingRemovedAndFreeOfAllBolts.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_theFinalSolution_1.jpg (106KB - 273 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_theFinalSolution_2.jpg (108KB - 264 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_TheHousingRemovedShowingSomeDamageToBeRepaired.jpg (119KB - 271 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgeShifterHousingRemoval_TheHousingRemoved_WithTheRustFreeShifterBoxMountingPlateAndReticentUpperSideBoltBit.jpg (96KB - 261 downloads)
Attachments 56Dodge1694290ShifterHousingRemovedAndFreeOfAllBolts.jpg (100KB - 269 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wizard
Posted 2020-12-10 1:10 AM (#606564 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13042
500050002000100025
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island
Good work Dave, a difficult task done well!
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-10 11:59 AM (#606580 - in reply to #606564)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
wizard - 2020-12-09 10:10 PM
Good work Dave, a difficult task done well!


Thanks Sven. Not sure about "Good" or "done well". But I am definitely sure about "difficult".

If I was to do it again, I would concentrate on working more from the front, with the hack saw blade, than trying to loosen the side housing bolts while lieing in the footwell, jammed in under the dash. I would only loosen the bolts if I couldn't get enough initial room to get the hack saw blade in there.

Before I do any painting, I am going to do a dry run on the reinstallation of the housing, with 1/4-20 bolts installed from the inside in the side locations to determine how much problem it will be to get nuts on the back side. I could feel the lower bolt head before (while lieing in the footwell) but I could basically only see the upper bolt head (now to be a nut). I think that I will have to remove more dash metal in that area to be successful getting the upper side nut started with my fingers.

Upwards and onwards.



Edited by 56D500boy 2020-12-10 12:30 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wizard
Posted 2020-12-10 12:11 PM (#606584 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13042
500050002000100025
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island
I use super glue on the spanner Dave, this way you can glue the nut even slanted in the spanner if needed.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-10 6:40 PM (#606600 - in reply to #606563)
Subject: Didn't mean for this to happen - "Chrome" 56 Dodge shifter housing



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
56D500boy - 2020-12-09 8:27 PM
Next will be the paint stripping, filling, sanding, priming, sanding and painting of the housing (and the dash, as needed).


Stripped the paint before lunch and then started a light sanding (400 grit wet and dry (wet)) and then I realized that I could potentially sand and polish the housing until it looked "chrome", if I wanted.

Not sure. Definitely would be different. (??)

These:



Edited by 56D500boy 2020-12-10 6:42 PM




(56DodgePowerFliteShifterHousing_stripped_lightlysanded.jpg)



(56DodgePowerFliteShifterHousing_stripped_lightlysanded_MockedIntoPlace.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 56DodgePowerFliteShifterHousing_stripped_lightlysanded.jpg (87KB - 268 downloads)
Attachments 56DodgePowerFliteShifterHousing_stripped_lightlysanded_MockedIntoPlace.jpg (125KB - 270 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wizard
Posted 2020-12-11 3:16 AM (#606614 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13042
500050002000100025
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island
It's pot Metal Dave, it will get dull with time. If You want chrome, then chrome it properly.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
samstrader
Posted 2020-12-19 6:51 PM (#606892 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 443
10010010010025
Location: Beaumont TX
Great Job Dave. I don't think I would have been able to get that thing out. I would have lost hope and patience.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2020-12-19 9:42 PM (#606896 - in reply to #606892)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
wizard - 2020-12-11 12:16 AM
It's pot Metal Dave, it will get dull with time. If You want chrome, then chrome it properly.


Sven: Probably. I am not convinced enough about the "chrome" look to have it actually plated (plus I would lose the car for at least 2 weeks and I am not ready to do that yet)(No shifter housing = very difficult to shift the transmission). I will carry on with the polishing for a bit more and then re-install it until spring. By then I will have decided on chrome or no chrome. In the meantime, I can keep it shiny with about 3 minutes of Autosol on a cloth. No biggy.


samstrader - 2020-12-19 3:51 PM
Great Job Dave. I don't think I would have been able to get that thing out. I would have lost hope and patience.


Sam: The problem is there is a point in the process where there is no going back, you have to carry on and succeed. Failure is not an option.

That said, I would never do what I did again. I either I would remove the dash to get at the shifter housing bolts or just sand and paint it in place.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
samstrader
Posted 2020-12-23 10:07 PM (#607034 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: RE: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 443
10010010010025
Location: Beaumont TX

Sam: The problem is there is a point in the process where there is no going back, you have to carry on and succeed. Failure is not an option.

That said, I would never do what I did again. I either I would remove the dash to get at the shifter housing bolts or just sand and paint it in place.

 

 

Totally understand Dave.  I have been down this road so many times.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2021-01-02 8:20 PM (#607344 - in reply to #606896)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
Well, the horror show is just about over - for now. I will have to remove the housing in the spring so I can properly re-paint the light blue portion of the dash to the left of the centerline of the Speedometer. For now, I wet sanded the housing with 400, 800 and 1000 grit wet and dry and then polished it with Autosol, Wenol and Mothers Mag polish. I will give it one more go with Wenol (which I only discovered this week) before calling it quits for now. I will see if I like the look and if so, I might go the real chroming route. For now, it is blingy enough.

For the re-install I discovered that there was no way to get a 1/4-20 into the upper side bolt location from the back (like OE) despite the fact that I had cut away some dash understructure (not seen) in hopes of getting enough room to wiggle a bolt in there. I tried from the inside by cutting down a 1/4-20 bolt so it was just long enough to fit in the available space but then I discovered that the head on a 1/4-20 was too big to turn in that space. Regardless, it might not have been long enough to reach through and ask for a nut on the back side.

So in the interim, I have discovered that I could actually turn the lower side bolt with a stubby 7/16" box end (12 point) wrench after getting it started by hand (actually one finger and friction). Why I couldn't use that same stubby to get the original bolt out is beyond me. No idea. Too bad. Way easier.

So, for the lower side bolt, I've used a longer 1/4 x 20 fender bolt (the length and the lack of threads at the tip of the bolt helped me to get it started in the threaded boss of the housing by hand (finger). Once I got it in and tight, I added a Nyloc nut on the inside to help keep it tight.

The rear bolt is the same one that came out of that location before. This time I used the 7/16" stubby to tighten it (with the OE star lock washer).

With only two bolts holding the housing to the dash, but both of them very tight, there is no movement of the housing whatsoever. Good news.

I did the reinstallation by lieing with my back on the drivers foot well and my head on the slope of the transmission tunner and then getting my right arm up in there with the stubby wrench. I was working blind (by feel) but being able to look where the bolts were actually helps.

Last steps (tomorrow??) will be to add the plate that the shifter box is attached to, the illumination bulb, the shifter box, the buttons (this time with all the black Torqueflite buttons), the shifter button plate and a final housing polish.

Today:



Edited by 56D500boy 2021-01-02 8:27 PM




(56DodgeShifterHousing_Reinstallation_Polished.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments 56DodgeShifterHousing_Reinstallation_Polished.jpg (130KB - 257 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2021-01-06 9:07 PM (#607464 - in reply to #607344)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
56D500boy - 2021-01-02 5:20 PM
Last steps (tomorrow??) will be to add the plate that the shifter box is attached to, the illumination bulb, the shifter box, the buttons (this time with all the black Torqueflite buttons), the shifter button plate and a final housing polish.


Well, it wasn't yesterday but it was today

I did polish the housing one more time, in situ, with WENOL (might be my new friend) and then added the buttons and the plate. I didn't do all black Loadflite/Torqueflite buttons (yet). I can't decide if I like the black ones or not. The "1" and "2" that I did install got their numbers filled in with WhiteOut and then their faces wet sanded with 1000 grit W&D paper. Not sure if I like the result or not.

Final result until spring (when everything comes off again and I paint the light blue properly in warmer weather):






(Polished56DodgePowerFliteNowTorquefliteShifterHousing_1.jpg)



(Polished56DodgePowerFliteNowTorquefliteShifterHousing_2.jpg)



Attachments
----------------
Attachments Polished56DodgePowerFliteNowTorquefliteShifterHousing_1.jpg (149KB - 252 downloads)
Attachments Polished56DodgePowerFliteNowTorquefliteShifterHousing_2.jpg (121KB - 256 downloads)
Top of the page Bottom of the page
22mafeja
Posted 2021-01-07 2:28 AM (#607469 - in reply to #607464)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?


Elite Veteran

Posts: 640
50010025
Location: Finland
Now it looks like it should have from the factory! I have also polished a couple of pot metal items to high gloss and of course they get a bit duller by time but
not too much.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
wizard
Posted 2021-01-07 3:42 AM (#607470 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Board Moderator & Exner Expert 10K+

Posts: 13042
500050002000100025
Location: Southern Sweden - Sturkö island
Looks great Dave, green buttons would be better if possible.
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2021-01-07 11:24 PM (#607489 - in reply to #607470)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
wizard - 2021-01-07 12:42 AM
Looks great Dave, green buttons would be better if possible.


Can't disagree. Black and white = Loadflite (truck) and 56 Chryslers and Imperials. Green would be 56 Dodge.

Mixing the green and the black and white is the worst. I need to go one or the other, not both.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
samstrader
Posted 2021-01-23 2:30 AM (#608065 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?


Extreme Veteran

Posts: 443
10010010010025
Location: Beaumont TX
This really looks great Dave. Beautiful.

I used to polish some aluminum on my motorcycle a lot and kept is shiny. I always wondered if you could shine it up and then coat it with clear coat to keep it from getting dull. But I was always afraid to put the clear coat on it.

Your part sure looks good now, especially when you compare it to the original...
Top of the page Bottom of the page
Powerflite
Posted 2021-01-23 3:13 PM (#608090 - in reply to #579849)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9604
500020002000500100
Location: So. Cal
Clear coat works, but it dulls the shine. Not bad if you aren't looking for ultra-lux. Chrysler made the dash paint with a texture for a reason, to prevent glare from hitting you in the eyes. You might want to try driving in the full sun before you decide what to do. The stock stainless wipers on my '63 Nova had a knack of directing the sun straight into my eyes. I got tired of it and installed ugly aftermarket black ones instead.

There's a Canuck on ebay that's making new buttons now. You could hit him up for them.

Edited by Powerflite 2021-01-23 3:18 PM
Top of the page Bottom of the page
56D500boy
Posted 2023-08-24 1:00 PM (#631535 - in reply to #608090)
Subject: Re: Tricks for removing the Powerflite shifter housing from the dash of a 56 Dodge?



Expert 5K+

Posts: 9854
5000200020005001001001002525
Location: Lower Mainland BC
.
While I might eventually get the shifter housing chromed, but since I did all that polishing, I have only had to repolish it a couple of times, including yesterday.

Typically I use AutoSol but yesterday I re-found my tube on WENOL and used it. Took about 2 minutes using two Kleenex, one to apply the WENOL and one to remove the haze and buff the housing.

Here is is in the background of a photo of my steering wheel after finally (hopefully) solving (??) my intermittent horn problem.

Top of the page Bottom of the page
Jump to page : 1
Now viewing page 1 [50 messages per page]
Jump to forum :
Search this forum
Printer friendly version
E-mail a link to this thread

* * * This site contains affiliate links for which we may be compensated * * *


(Delete all cookies set by this site)