Trying to retain my factory column shifter but i am hoping someone has come up with a way to covert/modify one so that it works as a ratchet type shifter. I am trying to pull off a sleeper and my trans is a TH400 manual reverse pattern valve body unit. Thanks for any insight.

I don't know how you would do it, as the detents you feel on a column shifter are actually the detents on the manual valve inside the trans. You'd have to rig some type of secondary ratchet mechanism under the hood, but that would most likely preclude the shifter from appearing to be in park if you kept it kind of level. It could work, though. Think about using an old B&M Quick Click shifter mounted low by the column under the hood, and run the rod from the column to a clevis on the shifter shaft. Run the cable out of the shifter to the trans. Might be easier to run the shifter outboard of the column, under the fender to hide it and have some room. If you do come up with something, by all means, take some pics. You don't have to show us the car, it can remain anonymous. ;)

How about putting a regular valve body in the tranny with a good governor and let the trans shift itself?

I modified the column shifter in my '67 Chevelle so that I could go from 1st to 2nd without going into neutral. I welded part of the shaft and filed part of the gate, but that was over 25 years ago. I don't remember exactly how I did it. Mine was a Powerglide, so I only had to make one shift.

there was a guy in an ol chevy high performance mag that had i thin a 10 sec 72 with a bench seat and modified column shifter. gauges were hidden in dash and heater vents. it was sleeper interior..


aaron

I am going to go the route of modifying the governor in the TH 400 to shift itself around 5500 with a kit and use the column shifter. I've always liked the sleeper mode and this will keep the stock look all the way. I can still have 2 passengers too. 2 grandkids at a time!