Shifter question

[Conbird]

Hello to all. I am working on my bird and I am putting in an FE Ford engine backed by a C6 tranny. I like the looks of the shifter the car came with and would like to use it with the C6. I know that the shifter does not allow for a position for all three forward gears. 1st 2nd and 3rd. Has anyone modified this unit to allow this? Any information is appreciated.

[ICON 1956]

The Moderator will place this question in the "Modification/Custom" forum.

[55blacktie]

Conbird, check PM.

[Conbird]

Hello 55blacktie

I am sorry I dont know what "PM" stands for and where to find it on the forum

[Joe Johnston]

PM means Private Messages. Look at the light blue bar at the top of the forum, just below the wide dark blue VTCI title bar. You will see a link to Private Messages on the right.

[55blacktie]

Conbird, you can't access your personal messages unless you're logged in.

[paul2748]

55blacktie - if you have some info on this, please share it here

[55blacktie]

Good morning, Paul.

First of all, I am swapping out the Fordomatic for a C4 (actually C5/w C4 valve body and torque converter), using Flat-O Products kit. At the time I bought the kit, Gene (Flat-O Products) recommended I use the Mustang shifter. However, I do not like the Mustang's T-handle. My transmission builder suggested the same. A 57 owner recently purchased the Flat-O kit and asked about retaining the original Tbird shifter. Gene said it could be used, but it would require straightening the shifter rod/linkage. Unfortunately, neither shortening/lengthening the shifter rod/linkage will allow manually shifting into/out of Low, using the OEM shifter. The problem is that the Tbird shifter has detents that do not match the detents in the C4 transmission. Note that the Tbird shifter can be used without modification with the C4 in the Automatic/Drive mode, and can be manually shifted into all gears, with the exception of Low.

On Second Hand Garage, there is an article, regarding the installation of an AOD transmission in a 57 Tbird. They chose to retain the original Tbird shifter. However, for the same reason using the Tbird shifter with the C4 will not allow manually shifting into/out of Low, they had to graft the Tbird handle to a B & M shifter and use a shifter cable, not a rod, between shifter and transmission. The transmission tunnel also had to be modified to accommodate the B & M shifter. Although the modified shifter is fully functional, the original Fordomatic shifter bezzel, while retaining the stock look, no longer serves as a gear indicator.

For simplicity's sake, and preferring its appearance to the Mustang shifter, I will be using a Lokar C4 floor-mount shifter/w shifter rod (not cable) and 6-inch straight shifter lever.

[paul2748]

Thanks

Good morning, Paul.

First of all, I am swapping out the Fordomatic for a C4 (actually C5/w C4 valve body and torque converter), using Flat-O Products kit. At the time I bought the kit, Gene (Flat-O Products) recommended I use the Mustang shifter. However, I do not like the Mustang's T-handle. My transmission builder suggested the same. A 57 owner recently purchased the Flat-O kit and asked about retaining the original Tbird shifter. Gene said it could be used, but it would require straightening the shifter rod/linkage. Unfortunately, neither shortening/lengthening the shifter rod/linkage will allow manually shifting into/out of Low, using the OEM shifter. The problem is that the Tbird shifter has detents that do not match the detents in the C4 transmission. Note that the Tbird shifter can be used without modification with the C4 in the Automatic/Drive mode, and can be manually shifted into all gears, with the exception of Low.

On Second Hand Garage, there is an article, regarding the installation of an AOD transmission in a 57 Tbird. They chose to retain the original Tbird shifter. However, for the same reason using the Tbird shifter with the C4 will not allow manually shifting into/out of Low, they had to graft the Tbird handle to a B & M shifter and use a shifter cable, not a rod, between shifter and transmission. The transmission tunnel also had to be modified to accommodate the B & M shifter. Although the modified shifter is fully functional, the original Fordomatic shifter bezzel, while retaining the stock look, no longer serves as a gear indicator.

For simplicity's sake, and preferring its appearance to the Mustang shifter, I will be using a Lokar C4 floor-mount shifter/w shifter rod (not cable) and 6-inch straight shifter lever.

[JimCunn]

I've not investigated how this is accomplished, but the 55 T-bird two position shifter will manually select and lock into all three gears on a Fordomatic transmission.
Start in Drive and you get 2 & 3.
Or
Start in L to get first.
Then pop D & back into L to lock into 2.
When ready, shift to D to get 3.
I've been using this method for over fifty years on my 55.

Is it possible to do something similar with a C4?

[55blacktie]

A stock AOD holds 2nd the same way as a Fordomatic. As soon as the transmission goes into 2nd, quickly manually shift into Low. The issue with the AOD is not the shifter; it's the valve body, which can be modified to shift manually in all gears, while retaining full-auto function. There are also manual valve bodies for the AOD that eliminate auto mode.

Having owned an 88 Mustang 5.0/w AOD, I did not find having to manually shift into Low to hold 2nd desirable. I never attempted it/w Fordomatic in my 55 for the same reason.

[JimCunn]

For me, it was very desirable with my 55 Fordomatic. It allowed the two speed T-Bird selector to access all three gears at will.

I do not know if it will work with a C4.

[JimCunn]

55blacktie, could you say more about the AOD valve body mod?

[55blacktie]

Jim, you are better off talking to a transmission specialist who knows the AOD. You can also email TCI. TCI should have an AOD shift kit that will allow holding 2nd without having to manually shift back into low. A good builder can accomplish the same thing by modifying the valve body. Some people opt to install a shift kit themselves, but you better know what you're doing when you start messing with the valve body.

[JimCunn]

"TCI should have an AOD shift kit that will allow holding 2nd without having to manually shift back into low".

Thanks for the info.
What's the issue with shifting back into Low?
I got used to doing that in 1965. Never saw a problem with it.

I'm comfortable with modifying mechanical devices. Doesn't mean I know what I'm doing initially, but I learn.