I've known for a while that you could order a four-speed in a full-size car (the earliest being the 1964 Jetstar 88, I believe), and I know only about 17 people did, but does anyone have any experience with this type of setup? Is it a pleasant car to drive, does it make a difference in speed/fuel consumption, or is it totally useless as a drivetrain option?

 

Kurt (wmachine) has a '65 Jetstar 1 I believe, with a stick and I think the 425! Rare and beautiful car....I think he likes it!

 

Well I have a 66 Delta with factory 4spd, 375 HP Starfire engine. The car itself is a great car as I have had others with Auto trans. The 4spd is no different in my opinion than any other car with a stick. I have a 442 as well that is stick. The only negatives woulld be the sorta awkward angle and very stiff clutch pedal. You really feel it in your calf muscle after a while. The other thing is the Muncie shifter has a very long throw.

 

Don't know why an Olds'd be stiff, unless someone put an 'old school' H.D. pressure plate in it!
I've had 2 L knee surguries from a '56 chebby w/4000 clutch - ex-wife couldn't push with both feet!!
E+R Rubberdrive! [solid rubber in the disc!]

 

I went to an Olds show back in the early 1990s and came across a '69 Delta 88 convert with a 455 & 3-speed column shift! I thought I was hallucinating.

 

My 66.

 

You're correct that the earliest was the '64 Jetstar 88 ('66 was the last year). However, the number made was 312. But who's counting.........
Pleasant to drive? I wouldn't bother for just "pleasant". It is a blast to drive! It really is not as much a pain as it may seem. Definitely a different experience in a big car. But it is fast enough that is makes the car seem smaller, if that makes any sense.

I have to agree with Rick, a stock clutch does not have that much pedal pressure. Interestingly, the '65 full size 4-speeds came with the 10-1/2" clutch even though GM had 11" ones (like in the '65 442). My flywheel was was only only drilled for the 10-3/8". Only one I've ever seen that was not dual drilled. I replaced the flywheel with a dual drilled one and a stock 11" GM clutch, which GM considers to be a "high performance" clutch. Easy clutch pedal pressure and plenty of grip. No more clutch slippage.

Weird, for sure. I know of a '70 88 too. 3-on-the-tree was still the standard trans on the big cars (except 98s and Toros) thru 1971.

 

Long throw on a Muncie has been a problem since day one!! Even brand new!
Hurst Competition Plus, steel bushings, and new shifter forks will bring travel to about 3 - 4 inches!!
Back in the day, I'd install it, with parts + labor, for around $150.
Probably have done 50 over the years.

 

I once owned a 1960 Super 88 Holiday Sceni Coupe that came from the factory with 3-on-the-tree. I wish I still had it. She would haul!

 

You bet! I think my arm changes counties shifting from second to third...........

To clarify, I believe most of those conversions you did were on A-bodies like '64 and '65 442s and Cutlasses that had Muncie shifters. You would have had a hard time finding 50 4-speed B-Body Oldsmobiles!
I'm keeping mine original only for the sake of keeping original, otherwise I'd Hurst-it in a heartbeat. New bushings in the bottom of the shifter handle helps some.

 

One thing you can do to help shorten the throw is put the linkage in the lower hole on the side cover arms. The upper holes help with ease but they make the throw longer. This can also be done on the Hurst OEM shifters. Next question please.

 

How hard to convert a Jetstar I to a manual? Needed parts as far as pedal assembly, mods, etc?

 

Sooooooooooo freaking jealous.