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Transmission linkage question

On a 1987 thunderbird 5.0 how does the transmission linkage come off? I am trying to put the column shift setup on a transmission which was originally a floor shift.

I dont want to cut  hole in the floor, quite frankly i just want to get this project done. Is there a special tool required? I took the nut off, and there is a metal piece which appears to be slid into the hole in the transmission. Anyone know?

Transmission linkage question

Reply #1
The pan has to come off and the nut inside removed... The whole lever assembly slides out... It's been said it can be flipped over and reinstalled, I honestly dunno... I had to swap the one on the floorshift AODE I installed in the merc...That one required a roll pin be pulled before the lever would slide out...

Transmission linkage question

Reply #2
on my 83, i went from column shift to floor shift... i had to drop the pan and loosen the lever bolt and flip it to make it face opposite (the kickdown was flipper too...... so on yours, you's have to flip it to face up i guess.....  anyway, when you drop the pan, there's a bolt holding the shaft on and it's connected to the linkage.. on mine, if i remember right, it didn't have to be removed, just loosened to flip it


OOOH!!!  I'm a Eco Hypermiler :burnout: Not bad for 79mph on the interstate 2hours a day

Transmission linkage question

Reply #3
Quote from: mywifeskitty;242217
on my 83, i went from column shift to floor shift... i had to drop the pan and loosen the lever bolt and flip it to make it face opposite (the kickdown was flipper too...... so on yours, you's have to flip it to face up i guess.....  anyway, when you drop the pan, there's a bolt holding the shaft on and it's connected to the linkage.. on mine, if i remember right, it didn't have to be removed, just loosened to flip it


did you have to replace the seal? Also, when you went from the column shift to the console, how did you manage that. My 87 has an obvious floor section which is different. The 87 floor shift has a section that is flat, which the shifter goes through. In your original column shift car, did you cut out the floor and add this section?

Transmission linkage question

Reply #4
you have to replace the trans pan seal, but since the lever arm isn't "removed" i didn't replace that one..... as for the conversion, in the 83, the hump is "bumped" so it was a little harder to get it level (or level enough)... i have a center console, so i found an 88 center console floor shift at the yard, and took the shifter, cover, linkage and trans link mount.... that and a sawzall :flame:


OOOH!!!  I'm a Eco Hypermiler :burnout: Not bad for 79mph on the interstate 2hours a day

Transmission linkage question

Reply #5
before and after


OOOH!!!  I'm a Eco Hypermiler :burnout: Not bad for 79mph on the interstate 2hours a day

Transmission linkage question

Reply #6
Quote from: jpc647;242221
did you have to replace the seal? Also, when you went from the column shift to the console, how did you manage that. My 87 has an obvious floor section which is different. The 87 floor shift has a section that is flat, which the shifter goes through. In your original column shift car, did you cut out the floor and add this section?

 
http://www.coolcats.net/tech/advanced/floorshift_aod.html
Old Grey Cat to this.88 Cat, 5.0 HO, CW mounts, mass air, CI custom cam, afr165's, Tmoss worked cobra intake, BBK shorty's,off road h pipe, magnaflow ex. T-5,spec stage 2 clutch, 8.8 373 TC trac loc, che ajustables with bullits on the rear. 11" brakes up front. +