Auto to Manual Tranny Conversion.

[bugno123]

???I'm pretty sure this question has come up before, but I was wondering what it would take to change my 1970 charger console automatic to a manual. I purchased the charger without an engine or tranny or any interior to speak of, but the car originally had a console auto. Ive seen some gutted out manual chargers and the floor looks a little different but I'm not sure all thats involved in making this transition. I really like to have control of the gears but not sure if its worth the trouble. If anyone has done this or knows how to... Please let me know what needs to be done.

Thanks,
Andrew

[Rolling_Thunder]

you will need the following:

floor hump
pedal assembly
clutch pushrod
torque shaft
clutch fork
misc bearings, clips, and springs
Throw out bearing
pilot bushing
transmission
bellhousing
shift mechanism
shift linkages
shifter handle
flywheel
clutch disc
pressure plate
bolts for above
trim ring
bezel
neutral safety switch
slight modification to wiring harness


feel free to mention if i missed something

[dodge freak]

A automatic trans. with a manual valve body would give you control of the gears. I have one and can take off in first , second or third gear and there no clutch pedal to push in. I think manuals get 1-2 mpg better so thats the only benefit. I like just to shift and keep my left foot on top of the brake pedal at all times so I would never get a manual. With a high stall converter and manual valve body it would be just as fast as a stick. True its only has 3 gears not 4 but the high stall would make up for it, you just lose a little more mpg, which if gas gets to $5.00 a gallon or so might matter to some.

[Chryco Psycho]

I have done 2 4 spd conversions in the last 3 weeks & I personally will never own & drive an Auto , they just plain suck compared to a 4 spd
you do need to cut the floor & weld in a hump & weld the pivot mount to the fame , other than that it is all bolt in   , finding a 4 spd top plate for the console can be difficult & or expensive & th ewhole conversion is not cheap but definatly worthwhile

[Mike DC]

Yeah, these guys have it right.

The floor would need a manual "hump" added on, just like the factory did.  (The factory only stamped one floorpan for all cars back then, and it was the automatic one.  For stick-shifted cars, the assembly line workers would recut & weld a stick-shift floor hump onto the floor by hand.)  You gotta buy & install a reproduction floor hump for a conversion.

Another issue that gets overlooked in the descriptions is the crankshaft:  A stick-shifted car has a pilot hole bushing hole drilled into the back end of the crankshaft.  A crankshaft that's always been in front of an automatic tranny won't have the hole so you'll need to have a machine shop add it for you.  (Of course, this means disassembling the whole engine.)

[six-tee-nine]

Maybe look at this link


http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,9234.0.html

[dodgeboy67]

DOESNT SOMEONE HERE HAVE STEP BY STEP PHOTOS OF THE WHOLE PROCESS?

[Chryco Psycho]

I guess on the next one I do I will have to stop & take a pic every 10 minutes

[bugno123]

Thanks guys, that was a lot of help! From what it sounds like, I might as well just get a 727 tranny. Besides I would have to otherwise teach my fiance how to drive a stick and that is WAY too much trouble! 

[BigBlockSam]

it cost me about $2200 in parts alone and i got good deals.