Author Topic: Can you tell from column if the car is an auto? (pics)  (Read 867 times)

Offline Cuda Cody

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Can you tell from column if the car is an auto? (pics)
« on: April 03, 2006 - 01:08:52 AM »
Can you tell from the original column if the car was an auto or a manual?   Shown below are the original columns from a 70 Challenger and a 70 cuda.  The Challenger is a column shift auto (green) with broadcast sheet to back it up.

I do not have the broadcast sheet or build tag for the cuda.... but I do have the original column.  Can you tell if it was a auto or Manual?  Floor or column shifter???  From the lever just outside the firewall they look to be different.  Anyone have a thought?

Bottom picture ..... the challenger column shift is on the right. THANKS! :thumbsup:

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Offline FY1 RT SE

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Re: Can you tell from column if the car is an auto? (pics)
« Reply #1 on: April 03, 2006 - 03:15:16 AM »
The longer column is from a manual steering car.  E Body's never had manual shift on the column, and the auto's on the column had the shifter selector and handle on the column which cannot be seen from the pictures.  Lower column tubes are the same for all, the lock out linkages that attach are different.

Offline ShelbyDogg

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Re: Can you tell from column if the car is an auto? (pics)
« Reply #2 on: April 03, 2006 - 08:07:27 AM »
They are both for '70 floor shifted auto or manual cars. you can tell by the little arm sticking out of the bottom, one looking very bent. These are the arms that attached to the linkage that let you release the key when in park, for an auto, and Reverse in a manual. I've also learned from converting many cars to Power steering, that you can change the link on the end to match the smaller power steering spline, then tap the shaft in like a telescoping antenna to shorten it.  Save the parts to return it to numbers matching when you sell it.
Rob
Rob

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