The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks 65 C10 with TH350 shift linkage problem

Hey folks. I've got a 1965 C10 that has had a 350/350 installed. When I purchased it, it had a floor shifter, but I decided to put a tilt column with a column shifter in it. I thought I'd step out and put a nice one in so I purchased a Flaming River polished tilt column. The column came with a Lokar shift linkage that was supposedly correct for my installation. Long story short, the wiring was a disaster and I eventually had to cut out their "GM" plug because when it moved the connections were lost. Anyway, I finally got what I thought was the shift linkage adjusted only to discover it's backwards. In other words, when in park the column indicator shows 1. The obvious solution is to flip the arm on either the transmission or the column. Unfortunately, there isn't clearance at either end. The column arm would hit the inner fender and the transmission end would hit what I believe was the original crossmember. I called Flaming River tech support, they were worthless, had no idea at all. Next I tried Lokar and they weren't much better. Told me they didn't have anything for my application.

I can't believe I'm the first one to do this so I'm reaching out to you guys to see what you think. Possible option is to cut out the original crossmember for clearance at the transmission but that seems really drastic and I don't know if the original crossmember needs to stay for support. It is not connected in anyway to the transmission.
Another option would be to make some kind of bell crank to get the actuator action reversed.
Another option wold seem to be some kind of flex cable to get around behind the transmission arm and move it in the correct direction.

Like I said, I can't be the first to do this. What have you all done?

Did some searching on the Internet and found a 5' flexible cable from JEGs that will probably work. I would have to fabricate brackets, but that's not a big deal. What do you think, flexible cable or cut out the old crossmember?

Did you put a new crossmember at the transmission tail housing? If so, you may be able to remove the original or modify it w/o any problem.

Yes, Martin, the TH350 has a different crossmember at the tail shaft. It seems like it might be okay to remove the original that is in the way, I just don't want to jeopardize the structural integrity of the frame. I want to be sure before I cut it.

I removed the one on my ‘62 C-10 after putting in a new one at the tail shaft mounting position on the 700R4. No problems.

OK, thanks. The transmission pan is partially covered by that old crossmember so removing it will make that more accessible as well. An extra bonus.

Exactly.

Cut the crossmember out. It was difficult with the exhaust in the way, but I got most of it out, at least enough to clear the shift linkage and transmission pan interference. Hoping to get her on the road shortly. Fingers crossed! It seems like I've been here a lot, almost...

First road trip yesterday! Felt great to have her out on the road again. A few things to sort out before I feel like I can drive her regularly. Pulled her back int he garage and added the rear sway bar I bought and working on installing the front one. This has got power steering from I assume a car on it and it interferes with the sway bar. Making a few modifications to get it to work.

Larry, I have a 1965 That I'm putting a small block/ 700r in. Does yours have the same motor mounts that was used on the 6 cylinder and how much clearance do you have between transmission and lip on cab in tunnel? Thanks for any infomation