55blacktie, here a couple thoughts. I’m sure all will involve some fabrication. But I’ve done 350 and 400 turbos and powerglides to 700r4’s and 2004R’ so I know the problem.

Maybe these Mustang guys have something that will help, I have no clue what the various Mustangs used.

https://calponycars.com/products/1965-1973-ford-mustang-automatic-overdrive-aod-shift-linkage-kit?srsltid=AfmBOopFRr8jCRY9DQ3Lny8s5oLwICNijNR2eqyvarqK4BbtSb-bMG1x

I’ve also used these guys, and the push button shifter might be close enough in looks to hide the change.

https://shiftworks.com/collections/shifters/products/button-top-shifter-for-1968-82-corvette

None of it will be easy, and maybe not cheap. But you can figure something out.

Sounds like a fun efficient combo.


miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Let me ask ...

Are you doing the conversion to get a SELECT-DRIVE TRANS (P-R-N-D-2-1)?

The F/M SINGLE-RANGE (actually a mid-case MERC-O-MATIC in the BIRD) will give you all three gears and you can select between them.

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I have the transmission, Flat-O Products C4 adapter kit, etc. There's no turning back. 

Copy that.

Out of curiosity, what year C4 do you have?

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Off the top of my head, it's either an 84 or 86 C5/w C4 converter & valve body. I have the transmission, but I'm too lazy to get. I don't think there's any difference between 84 & 86. 

I'm waiting to hear from Tim Hill, who said that they either modify the shifter plate or fabricate a new plate to accommodate aftermarket shifters. I seem to recall that Hill's hasn't done a c4 conversion, but the have done AOD conversions. 

Considering the cost of a Lokar shifter + the cost of modifying or fabricating a new shifter plate, I might end up just using the 55 shifter, and sacrifice the ability to manually shift into and out of first, which I would seldom do anyway. I don't like making compromises, but sometimes it just makes more sense, and the 55 shifter will look better. 

Truth be told, I drove my Vette with a 7004r in place of the turbo 350 for a year before I modified the shifter to get low gear. I never really missed it, and rarely held low after I did all the work (no kits in those day). Your post above reminded me.

miker
55 bird, 32 cabrio F code
Kent, WA
Tucson, AZ

Paul, we might have had this conversation before, but it's easy to forget the details when reconstructing something that has 10,000 parts. Anyway, did you use the C4 neutral safety/backup light switch with the original Tbird shifter?  

Well, I am not there but it seems to me that it is do-able using the BIRD shifter assy. You would have to fashion a shift rod and a either a kick-down rod or cable setup. In fact I wonder if it has been done before and the info was never shared?

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Yes - I used the original C4 neutral ,safety switch.  No mods needed except I had to change the wire connectors on the switch  to connect to the TBird wiring.  As you know, the C4 switch mounts on the trans and does not interfere with the TBird shifter.  I think I did have to straighten the rod a bit but the length was good.

The pic Kultulz shows the NSS if for a column shift. (points down).  The floor shift cars had the shift arm of the tarns pointing up  and that is what you need.  If you have the shift arm pointing down, a simple bracket attached to the existing arm can be made.





54 Victoria 312;  48 Ford Conv 302, 56 Bird 312
Forever Ford
Midland Park, NJ

I drove my '57 Bird today.  It has an FMX transmission.  I used the original shifter and have manual low gear available.   Problem is, I don't remember if I had to modify the shifter or the transmission  arm to get enough travel  or if the FMX arm had the correct hole location to work with the original shifter.  I do have all shift positions available with the original shifter.  The FMX came from a car with floor shift.   I am still using the original  neutral safety switch which I have reworked so the car will  start  in Park and  Neutral.  Backup lightss work too.

John - "The Hoosier Hurricane"