Can someone help me please. I am a real nut for originality so I hate to do this but I am between a rock and a hard place. Just bought a one owner 50,000 mile 66 f85 holiday. Car is almost mint, literally a time capsule. I have wanted this car for the last 20 years, owner friend. Only problem, its a column shift bench. I dont mind the bench so I was thiunking 4 speed or 3 speed manual. But the job needs to look factory and as I dont have the build sheet there will be no way to ever know other than the tranny will not be #'s. I know i need to find a 330 manual tranny crank. Or should I look for a automatic setup but this will ad the expense of the buckets. Please tell me step by step what you would do to make a perfect factory appearing job as I would never put any aftermarket shifter or console in there. I do have the manual tranny date coded and only 2 numbers off (super rare) so it almost appears numbers matching. Please help me and tell me what you would do and how.

 

Why exactly is this a problem? Especially on a "50,000 mile, almost mint, literally a time capsule" car?

My consistent opinion on things like this is that some things should be left alone. Once you start changing things, it will never again be that "50,000 mile, almost mint, literally a time capsule", no matter how well-executed the job is. In addition to the shifter and crank issues, you also have to change the steering column, dash, wiring, ad infinitum ad nauseam. In other words, major changes from what the car is.

If you can't deal with the car as it is, sell it to someone who will appreciate its originality before you start hacking it up.

You asked.

 

If it was mine, I'd install a 700r4, and leave it on the column!
The column can be modified by grinding a couple more detents, and be virtually undetectable from sitting in the car.
Get another driveshaft, save the old and trans, and you could bring it back to 'pure stock' pretty easy.
4 speeds vs. 2 makes a world of difference, and the O.D. would be great with todays fuel prices.

 

Thanks Rickman. Rocketraider I appreciate your opinion but I am a firm believer that if you save the orignal parts and can bring it back to original then you will not affect the value or collectability of the car. If anyone knows of someone that has correct 66 3-4 speed MT setup including correct throttle linkage please let me know. I am not looking for a console as I will leave the bench seat.

 

Well, first of all, "original" means "as the car left the assembly line". Swapping to a manual trans, even taking care to use all the correct parts, is NOT original. You've modified the car. Don't kid yourself.

Please don't take this the wrong way, but you have posted a multitude of times in several forums, and it's the same question every time. This isn't rocket science, so I'm afraid I don't understand your concern. Buy a factory Chassis Service Manual and an Assembly Manual. These books will show you the correct, factory way to install a manual trans. There's only one "correct" way, and it's well documented.

Once you make the conversion, just don't call the car "original" however.

 

A 3 or 4 spd m/t will require some major mods to your floor. I would have to agree with those suggesting the a/t as your best bet. You can install a cable operated floor shifter without major mods or expense and retain your bench seat.

Then you can say, its slightly modified but you have all the parts to return it to original, if you save the old stuff!

A manual trans will require a different fly wheel, and verification your crank will accept a pilot bearing. You will need a clutch, pressure plate, throwout bearing, clutch linkage and Z bar. Interior will require pedal assy, and shifter assy. Please note once you cut that floor your originality basically flies out the door!