What determines the gearshift detent points on the steering column. I have a 66 Cutlass that came with the Jetaway, and someone has put the TH400 in it. I would like to be able to select first gear but the gearshift lever range will not allow me to pull it down far enough to select it. Will I have to change out the column and also the selector point window-slot on the dash?

 

The shifter determines the Park position, the trans works the rest. All that will happen is your indicator will not align with the lower gears and drive will be a little off center. You will be able to shift in every gear, including neutral and reverse without any issue.

I did the same swap in mine and still use the column shifter in mine.

 

x2, i did the same swap.


bill

 

I found a 1967 dash insert from a 1967 442 with all 3 speeds indicated.

 

Sorry, but that's not quite true. There is a shift detent quadrant in the column, just as there is in the floor shifters. This part is notched for the various gear locations, which is why you need to pull the lever towards you to move it. The quadrants are different for 2 spd and 3 spd transmissions.