Floor Shifter

[85ltd]

I went to the search bar, but couldn't find what I wanted.

I have an 85 vic with the stock AOD transmission. Is it possible to use the B&M cable operated floor shifter with these transmissions? It doesn't have to be B&M, that is just the one that they carry at the auto parts store. I think I saw somewhere that these were linkage operated transmissions, but didn't know if I could convert it over; and I want the shifter in the floor because of looks and ease of use.

[Merc302]

Im sorry that i cant answer that question. But i agree with the application. And I was wondering. Does the needle on the dash line up with the prndl like its supposed to? mine doesnt and i swear it wont drop into first

[85ltd]

Mine does, but it is starting to get worn and not always lock in instantly, but I will say that I have done the 1-2-1 and usually leave it in 3rd for cruising around town.

[Merc302]

hm...well. I havent been able to go anywhere but up and down the street since the car isnt tagged and i have no license...due to a very special 1981 Corvette...

[87gtVIC]

Pop the steering column covers off and look for the plastic gear indicator cable. It is a collar that that has a wire attached to the shift tube. You can align it back into place if need be by carefully loosening the bolt and playing with the orientation of the collar.

Maybe try raiding a V8 fox body auto trans car for all equipment including the pieces that attach to inside the transmission and you can probably convert to a floor shifter.

Some others have installed B&M floor shifter hand have problems with the cable breaking and such.

[Merc302]

Okay thanks...by carefully do you mean. dont break it or what?

[87gtVIC]

Yeah because the plastic collar gets very brittle over time...it may actually be broken already..I once went to loosen the nut that tightens the collar and it just snapped off. I find heating the collar up with a heat guns helps lower the possibility of cracking it. Just be gentle with it all. The collar slides in an insert only so much that is what gives you your adjustment.

[sly]

the plastic collar around the shaft is very brittle and very prone to breaking when disturbed (and may already be broken). the one on my mark is refurbished with duck tape (by one of the previous owners). The one in my 88 MGM is long gone (doesn't even have the cable up to the indicator).

edit: 87gtVIC beat me to it

[Merc302]

I wish i could just bolt in a 4 speed power glide...that would make my day.
well actually the mercury fairy could just come by and poof the thing back to factory spec and THAT sir would make my day.

Thank you very much. I will attempt not to break it as soon as i get home. Well no i have class damnit.

[85ltd]

Maybe try raiding a V8 fox body auto trans car for all equipment including the pieces that attach to inside the transmission and you can probably convert to a floor shifter.

Some others have installed B&M floor shifter hand have problems with the cable breaking and such.

Okay, thank you. I also saw the Lokar is mechanical, but I may just do the fox body swap.

[85ltd]

So, I went to the junkyard today, all I could find was the 4cyl foxbody. I still ripped the shifter out of it with all the extras, but when I got home, I noticed that the gear selector is different. It has P-R-N-D-2-1. Is this not going to work? What tranny would that have been? a C4? Hopefully it will still work, don't want to have to modify a linkage; I just have to remember that 2 is D and 3 is O until I change it.

[pantera77]

Doesn't Mr. Land Yacht have a floor shifter in his car?

[gadget73]

The AOD has the same number of shift detents that a 3 speed has. Notice its P-R-N-OD-D-1 where a 3 speed is P-R-N-D-2-1. I dont really see much reason that you couldn't use a C3 (4 cyl Mustang) shifter with an AOD. You just have to know that D is OD, and 2 is D. There are different shift levers on the side of the transmission for cable, rod, and floor shift applications. Not quite sure what you need, but I suspect something out of a Mark VII might do the trick. THose also have floor shifters and are AOD cars, though since the shifter is designed to sit inside a console its pretty ugly without the covers on it. The shift lever can be changed, but it involves dropping the trans pan, removing a nut and a roll pin, unhooking the TV lever, and sliding the parts out.



and the Powerglide is a 2 speed, not a 4 speed.

[87gtVIC]

Doesn't Mr. Land Yacht have a floor shifter in his car?

Yes. And on at least two occasions it has broke on him because the geometry/routing of the cable wasn't kosher.

[merc91]

i'm putting in the B&M unimatic floor shifter today in the old girl, but its not getting hooked up until the end of the month when the new tranny gets built. you need a bracket kit specifically for the AOD, but it is supposed to fit good... i guess we shall see.