My 69 SS396 came from the factory as an automatic but in it's life prior to my ownership it was converted to a manual 4 speed.

Here is what I know:

I was told that the tranny is a Saginaw.
I have a Muncie Shifter

My question is this. I have a center console that came with the car that I want to install. However, the shifter coming through the floor is offset to the left (closest to drivers side) and the console won't fit as it is currently constituted. My knowledge is very limited but I am trying so be nice :D. What do I need to do to align the shifter so that it's centered and my console will fit? Do I need a different shift kit? A new tranny? Speaking of tranny, what tranny came with this car in 1969? Was it a Saginaw?

Thanks,
Keith

Can you post a picture of the Muncie shifter you have? It's possible it's for a bench seat car, or you have the wrong shifter for a Chevelle.

A 69 SS396 would not have an Saginaw installed unless the factory made a real BIG blunder.

The year of the car 69 came with a saginaw and a Munci.

as far as aligning the trans it will be aligned when you bolt the trans to the block

try and see what happens when you put the console in. You might need just a shifter

handle. check out Origional Parts Group in Ca.!! They have alot of answers that might be able to help and they have a 800 number---- john

If you have a Saginaw you should be able to stick a magnet to it. If it's a Muncie a magnet won't stick...it's aluminum and the Saginaw is cast iron.

The year of the car 69 came with a saginaw and a Munci.
---- john


Yes, a Saginaw was available in 1969, but not with a 396. It is a low performance transmission and will not stand the torque of a 396.

It says in the first post that the car came with an automatic. It's not the original four speed.

Post some pics. I may add that a console car has to have a console hump with the narrow rectangular hole in it or the console won't fit. Also, I would favor the Hurst Comp Plus shifter setup for console. I just did this whole conversion.

Here is the console hump: http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/4-SPEED-HUMP-CHEVELLE-68-69-70-71-72-W-CONSOLE_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem5d2844a29bQQite mZ400107545243QQptZMotorsQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5f Accessories

Sorry for the delay in pic's.

Here are some pictures of the shifter and the console:

http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/klute14/Gone/Other/DSC03790.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/klute14/Gone/Other/DSC03792.jpg
http://i87.photobucket.com/albums/k129/klute14/Gone/Other/DSC03794.jpg

Keith

I just took a picture of the Muncie shifter that came out of the '70. It's a bucket seat/console car. Your shifter is definitely not right for a console car. At least the stick isn't. I'll upload the picture I took.

http://www.chevelles.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=30101&stc=1&d=1272154223

I don't think there is any difference in the Muncie shifters from 1969 to 1970.

Doesn't the muncie shifter bolt to the cross member and with only a stabilizer rod bolting to the tranny? If so, and you have the correct shift rods for the transmission you have, the location of the shifter body should be correct. You will need a shift handle for a console.
To be factory correct you should have a Muncie transmission and Muncie shifter.
IMO a saginaw tranny behind a Big Block is a temporary thing and a Muncie Shifter is a piece of crap. If It was me I would get a Hurst shifter for the tranny you have and the car you have (with console),then adapt a muncie console shifter handle to the Hurst shifter body.

Thanks for the input.
I am really considering going with aluminum heads in my current 396 to gain more hp. However I am ignorant when it comes to this stuff. When I go to summit's site I get confused.

Is there a coversion kit that I could buy that would include everything that I need to make the switch?

Also, I am sure that I would need to replace the tranny. What type of Muncie tranny would be good for a conversion. M20 or M21? What came out of the factory in 1969?

Again, I am new to this but this site has been a valuable resource in getting educated.

Thanks,
Keith


Doesn't the muncie shifter bolt to the cross member and with only a stabilizer rod bolting to the tranny? If so, and you have the correct shift rods for the transmission you have, the location of the shifter body should be correct. You will need a shift handle for a console.
To be factory correct you should have a Muncie transmission and Muncie shifter.
IMO a saginaw tranny behind a Big Block is a temporary thing and a Muncie Shifter is a piece of crap. If It was me I would get a Hurst shifter for the tranny you have and the car you have (with console),then adapt a muncie console shifter handle to the Hurst shifter body.

starting 68 shifter was moved to the center ,of the hump ,trans makes no difference,,shifter does

Am I the only one who sees a Hurst Indy shifter handle in the pic posted? :confused:

Are you sure you have a Muncie shifter?

I saw the Hurst stick, Pete. But I don't know if Hurst ever made a stick that was capable of bolting on to a Muncie shifter.

You are correct, it is a Hurst shifter.
My mistake. :o

Am I the only one who sees a Hurst Indy shifter handle in the pic posted? :confused:

Are you sure you have a Muncie shifter?

The difference between a M-20 and a M-21 is the gear ratios. Either could be original to your car,and would depend on your rear end gears.
To get the answers to your questions we need to now what you have and what you want to end up with.
Are you wanting original, original looking,performance, or the cheapest way to put the console in your car?
Apparently you have a converted 4 speed with a Saginaw trans (steel), and Hurst Indy shifter.
Do you know what gears you have in the rear end?
Don't worry about your knowledge, Nobody can know everything.That's the beauty of forums,there is enough knowledge to answer your questions,or point you in the right direction.:beers:
Russ