Hello everyone!

I recently purchased a 68 Chevelle that I'm going to begin restoring. I already have a 65 Olds 442 and a 66 Buick Skylark, and I love the GM A-Bodies.

Since the Chevelle is completely apart, I think I want to take advantage of all the latest and greatest parts and goodies as I build it back up.

I expect I'll be asking MANY questions over the next few months as the restoration begins.

Since the engine and trans are already out of the car, I'm going to ditch the TH300 and go to a 700r4 w/ overdrive. At the same time, I'm planning to convert from the factory Column Shift to a floor shift. I know that shiftworks makes a detent and lens kit for the horseshoe-style floor shifters. (http://www.shiftworks.com/chevelle.htm#68-72chevelle)

What all is involved in making this converstion? I'm aware I'll need a new steering column, etc. But I'm not sure what I'll need on the floor-shift side. I know I can get a reproduction shifter assembly from Ground Up for like $130. I also see the cables are available.

Will I need to cut a hole in the floor?

Is there a good faq or tech page on this?

Thanks!

yes a small hole for the cable

I did the same thing...not sure about the one from Ground Up, but I got my floor shifter from OPGI...recently (6 months after being on the road) I had the shifter stop functioning...turned out they "press-fit" the stud for the cable into the metal plate on the drivers side of the shifter....pretty hokey if you ask me.....the hole it sat in worked itself loose after some shifts and it just fell out, still attached to the cable...so.....my fix was to drill the hole all the way through the plate, put the stud back in and then I tack welded it in position, never to fall out again.....as far as the conversion goes, its pretty easy...new driveshaft (shorter..$300), new cable, lens, shifter, hole in floor, new gears for the speedo (driven and drive..$80) depending on tire size and rear end gearing....Bow Tie Overdrives(700R4.com) has the calculator and the gear set.....the holes are already in the frame, just get a new crossmember ($160 + I had mine powdercoated to match the rest of the frame for $50)...anyway..have fun...I love my overdrive.....75mph on the freeway at 2400 (3.73 gears) is kinda nice....I had my trans built locally and it's pretty stout..I'm in the range of 550hp....good luck...

oh yeah, btw...you should have the dimples in the floor already that show the location of the bolt holes for the shifter and the hole for the cable.....!!

That's awesome - thanks so much for the help.

Say Hi to Chewbacca and Han Solo for us!!

Sorry, as a Star Wars Fan, I just couldn't resist ...

No one probably gives a rip, but, in case you're interested, here's a Corellian Corvette: http://www.starwarssource.net/sws_display.php?template=1&document=216