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I've heard that a Buick top loader floor shifter from the '37-'38 big series cars with the 6 bolt top cover will bolt to all '37-'60 three speed manual transmissions with the 6 bolt cover. Anyone ever done this before? What parts would be needed from the '37-'38 trans to make this work with a '57 three speed trans? I found this article that mentions the swap, but it doesn't give any details:
http://www.webrodder.com/article.php?AID=84&SID=4&CID=
buicks had the torq tube all the way to 1960.And as far as i know the 37/38 floor shift trans has the same torq ball connection.The trans case and gears are the same, cept its a floorshift, I,m not sure about the universal joint but it would make sense its also the same.Should bolt in, ive seen 54, and 55,s with that floor shift.It was oldschool modification.
You have to use the big series trans tho. Small series isnt strong enough.
Yes, the donor trans has to be from a '37-'38 series 60, 80, or 90 car with the 6 bolt top cover. The article I read says '35-'37 GM big cars, but I've looked at some '35-'36 transmissions and I don't think that is correct. As you state, the '37-'60 transmissions with the 6 bolt top cover are all the same, but only the '37-'38 had the floor shifter. To convert a '57 trans to floor shift I know I need the 6 bolt top cover and shifter handle from the '37-'38 trans, but do you know if I need any other internal parts from the '37-'38 trans? Just trying to put together a shopping list of '37-'38 parts. The smaller and weaker transmission had the 5 bolt top cover. I think the last year for the 5 bolt top cover trans was 1955. This article on "55-60 transmission interchange" (from a Pontiac perspective) says that the 6 bolt top cover shifter will also fit the weaker 5 bolt top cover transmissions:
http://www.members.tripod.com/starch...htips.htm#gear
you have to have the gears and the box, I didnt make that clear,as the floor shifter and side shift boxes are different. its the internal shift rails,I think you might be able to find a complete box, as I see them every once in awhile on the net.. I once had a cadillac/lasalle box it was made up from a sideshifter,by the old original B&M trans shop in calif. and they used a old ford flathead top shifter, which they modified. Now the V8 std. bell housings arent all the same as far as bolting to the engine,but the trans will bolt. if you look here in this site you will find info on trans and stuff. 'keep on keepin on'