I have a Saginaw 4 speed I rebuilt for my very mild 327 Chevelle. Yes, I know, Saginaws are crappy but it allows me to row gears on this mild driver until funds allow for an overdrive trans. I basically have everything I need for the conversion.

So the questions...

1.) I just rebuilt the tranny. How much side-side play should there be on the input shaft of the tranny with it uninstalled? Seems like there is a fair amount but the combination of the pilot bearing and the driveshaft yoke should take care of that, right? Axial play is small.

2.) In regards to transmission hump mods. Is there any benefit to welding in the sheetmetal in the hump area? This is not an original car, no console. I was just going to blow the hole through the hump and put a Hurst boot on it. Or does the shifter protrude enough that you need the sheetmetal tweak?

1. end play on input shafts always seem excessive. a new pilot bearing will take care of the alignment.

2. matter of preference in appearance.. the shifter i use on mine is a console shifter from a firebird and is centered in the transmission tunnel. the stock transmission hump is a bit cleaner looking and makes a boot easier to install.