I thought I had my 68SS figured out until I got a quote for body work and the guy got me thinking about whether this car was originally an automatic or a manual shift car.

Here's the clues:

*It has a shift on the column
*It has shift boot hole in floor pan with primer and sealer matching the surrounding area although a portion of it has obviously been hacked recently and is not original.
*It has a big brake pedal, but it has been hacked in half along with something else hacked off above the pedal (see pic) If was a manual, why would it have a big pedal?
*It has a hole hacked in the firewall where the clutch pushrod goes.(see pic, this hole seems bigger than necessary even if it was originally an auto car, why make the hole so big?)
*Came with a transmission cross member that I think is for manuals
*there is an electronic thing with a rubber boot around it on the firewall(see pic) that i was told might be a back up light receptacle that might only be on manuals.
*the end of the steering arm thing that attaches to the steering box is pressed on? (see pic) Some weren't?
*the area/steel under the shift boot has obviously been hacked out with a cutting torch which i thought meant it wasn't original. The person that gave me an estimate today mentioned it could easily came from the factory like that and I confirmed that when I got to climb under a one-owner 72 manual chevelle tonight which had the same hacking out which can be seen from the underside. Which I now assume is factory.

Sorry if some of these things are stupid.

WHAT DO GUYS THINK? Auto or Manual? Thanks in advance.

Here's the pics.

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08028.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08034Medium.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08032Medium.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08047Medium-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08043Medium-1.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08030Medium.jpg

another

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08031Medium.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-1-08039Medium.jpg

I'm gonna say a manual.
That hump looks to have been there since birth.

Hacking probably for a Hurst CP shifter.

Why someone would butcher a pedal housing------dunno

Does the car have power brakes? I have seen in the past where a do it youself type had converted a manual shift/manual brake car to power brakes and found that the old brake pedal would not work with the power booster. Therefore had to use a pedal from a power brake car to fit with the clutch pedal. That has to be worst trim job I have seen though. My own 89 chevy truck with a 5 speed has an auto pedal that has been nicely trimmed to fit the pedal pad from a manual.
Paul

It had manual drum brakes all the way around originally. (although I did just complete the front disk brake conversion :))

Here's the clues:

*the end of the steering arm thing that attaches to the steering box is pressed on? (see pic) Some weren't?
WHAT DO GUYS THINK? Auto or Manual? Thanks in advance.

Here's the pics.


That's a small block (non-SS) steering shaft.
BillL

Bill, I don't know how you know that, but a big thanks to you.

That's a small block (non-SS) steering shaft.
BillL
yes it sure is:yes:
Bill, I don't know how you know that, but a big thanks to you.

it's a BB car guy secret;)

If the VIN on your car starts with 138 it was definately an SS396 car. It looks like a lot of parts may have been changed in the 40 years since your car was built.

Paul

I'm also curious about the rubber boot with the electrical pin connector located just below to the left of the wiper motor mount. I spoke with Bill Rose and he seemed to remember it being connected to the backup lights??? Bill L (ARK68SS) what do you think?

so then does it appear to you that this had manual pedals and they've been butchered? or does that hacked brake pedal appear to be from an automatic?

the connector is for the backup lights

Jeff, did automatics have the same connector or just manuals?

so then does it appear to you that this had manual pedals and they've been butchered? or does that hacked brake pedal appear to be from an automatic?

The brake pedal in the car was for an automatic.

I'm also curious about the rubber boot with the electrical pin connector located just below to the left of the wiper motor mount. I spoke with Bill Rose and he seemed to remember it being connected to the backup lights??? Bill L (ARK68SS) what do you think?

That's correct, IIRC it should have a pink and a light green wire.

BillL

Jeff, did automatics have the same connector or just manuals?
Automatics have a single orange wire going through the hole that attaches to the kickdown switch on the transmission.
BillL

Thanks Bill and Jeff:thumbsup:

Wait. Does that mean that the rubber boot with the electrical fixture is for an automatic or manual? or are you trying to say it could be either but with different colored wires?

COME ON GUYS. WHATS YOUR OPINION? AUTOMATIC OR MANUAL?

After 40 years of butchering what difference does it make?

animal69, so I missed it.....was your vote for auto or manual?

After 40 years of butchering what difference does it make?
Manual, then Auto??? Then manual then auto. What is it going to be when your finished. Thats what it is!:D

So I guess my vote would be manual.

I'll say your car was built with a floor shifted manual transmission.

Thanks Dave and Robert. I'm just trying to return it to as close to original as I can. My reason is that if I have to basically re-build the entire car, why not get back to as close to how the factory built it.

Manual

My 69 was 4 speed converted to auto. When I first saw the underside and how it was torched, I wasn't so sure. Then I removed the carpet and found the factory filler. It's un-mistakable. Yours look the same as mine (the right half anyway;))

Jimmy P. You da' man! Thanks for the vote.....and the info! btw. awesome car!

That is a 4 speed Hump for buckets wth no console or bench seat for sure..

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/Picture_0114.jpg

The rubber connector looks like the correct one for the 4 speed Reverse Light Switch..

Does it still have the bracket mounted on the frame for the Z-bar?

If your lucky enough to find a broadcast sheet hidden in the interior/seats that would also confirm it, but my bet is on the 4-speed..

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/Picture_0301.jpg

Dave

Manual, no console, small block car. I would bet on it.
Ron

Just for the record, it's an SS396 car.

Just for the record, it's an SS396 car.

If its a true 138 car, Then the steering column has been replaced with a SB column!!

My vote is Manual that has led a very rough life.

If its a true 138 car, Then the steering column has been replaced with a SB column!!
Or the tags.

it's a BB car guy secret;)


Be quiet, you've said too much already!:p

No z-bar or any signs of it on the frame when I got the car.

Below is a picture of the brake assembly I pulled out of the car tonight, next to it is an auto brake assembly(black one) I bought on ebay.

They look the same to me. What does a manual assembly look like? Could mine be manual one with the pedal changed out? Why would they hack that little tab off?


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v677/marksextra/3-21-08007Medium.jpg

That's a small block (non-SS) steering shaft.
BillL

lol i just bought the one he really needs if his car is a true SS on ebay... its an SS 2 piece steering column its going to be put into my 300 Deluxe cause its a 4 speed column :thumbsup: got it for only $132.50

I believe The housing are the same that hold the pedals, If your going manual you can buy the pedal assy through any chevelle parts vendor. If your going automatic and need a pedal let me know I have one I pulled from a 66 chevelle that you can have.
I personally think your car was an auto car back in 68, it looks way to hacked alot of back yard torching went on to get that manual to go in and work(no afense).

Is the vin 136 or 138?

What are you triing to build a car that is a show car just a nice cruise?

nothinnbut69s, Thanks for the vote and for the offer, but I have a pedal. Its the one pictured three posts back. It is a 138 that I'm trying to make a super nice weekend driver.

Anyone else have a vote?

Chris asked:

"Why would they hack that little tab off?"

And a vision of a big footprint pedal flashed in my mind.:D

nothinnbut69s, Thanks for the vote and for the offer, but I have a pedal. Its the one pictured three posts back. It is a 138 that I'm trying to make a super nice weekend driver.

Anyone else have a vote?

better get an SS steering column then:D the 2 piece is what you need

better get an SS steering column then:D the 2 piece is what you need
He dont really dont need a 2 piece shaft unless he is going for correctness. Thats why I asked him what he was triing to build.

better get an SS steering column then:D the 2 piece is what you need

I am not sure for 68's but I have a bolted steering shaft on my 69 equip'd small block car... and yes the car has been in the family since birth so no on has changed it. Bolted steering shafts are on some small block cars too. I've never seen a pressed joint on a big block car but I have seen bolted shafts on small block cars. So just by the steering shaft you cannot tell.

Here's a pic of my 69 brake/clutch assembly.

http://www.chevelles.com/showroom/data/500/medium/P10102191.jpg

Hey Neuman, thanks for the picture.

I take it you're about to yank the steering column because that rag joint at the gear box looks ready to fall apart. Just checking.
;)

Just for a quick update. The car is at the media blaster. I took the interior out of it. I'm looking for a 2piece shaft. Correct manual steering column and rolling tach in good condition. After the media blaster, it goes directly to the body shop who said less than 8weeks to paint.:) Even if 8 turned to 12 that's be ok. JULY!

Troopery2k, I guess I'll have to get a new ragjoint? Not sure of what it does or how it works. I'm taking things one piece at a time.....

Curiouschris, SSuper Dave is selling a BB Steering shaft. Here is the link.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/showthread.php?t=219070

68chvlss396, thanks for link. contact was made.


Any more takers on whether this was a standard or automatic?

Chris asked:

"Why would they hack that little tab off?"

And a vision of a big footprint pedal flashed in my mind.:D



:yes: oh yeah :yes:

footprint pedals rock! you might be right!!