Powershift Transmission

[avantilover]

Is it possible to convert a Flightomatic Column Shift Automatic to a Powershift Floor Mounted Shift?

Am considering getting Buckets and Console and thought maybe a Floor Shift unit would be good.

Any thoughts?

[Kurt]

I am in the middle of the same thing. I Decided to switched my trans to Ford Small case cruise o matic, with Stude parts installed in it. The reason is, that the flightomatic shift range is PNDLR the powershift floorshifter is PRND21. I wanted a more heavy duty type trans, and I had this other tranny at my disposal, so I decided to go this way. John Metzger is/has been a lot of help with this. He might know of a way to accomplish what you want. His email is on the Turning Wheels Cooperator page.

[N8N]

Is it possible to convert a Flightomatic Column Shift Automatic to a Powershift Floor Mounted Shift?

Am considering getting Buckets and Console and thought maybe a Floor Shift unit would be good.

Any thoughts?

I believe that if you wanted to convert the trans to a Powershift and *keep* the column shift you could use Jeep parts... but I'm not aware of any cars that used a floor shift similar to the Powershift but with the Flightomatic shift pattern.

nate

[studebaker-R2-4-me]

It would be easier to find powershift transmission and rebuild it. They are two different Transmissions with different shift patterns. I recently bought 2 powershift transmissions, one from JP the other from Dick Lindsey. Both transmissions are now confirmed rebuilt, one is going in the Lark converting it from column shift to floor shift. The other transmission is going on the shelf in my shop for when I blow one up in either car.

You need a few things for this conversion:

Powershift Transmission
HD torque converter
The collar for the steering column (hard to find) but you can cut off the bump off and body fill the hole.
Shifter rod and swivel
Floor shift tower (Sasco had them)
Shifter assembly (pop up on Ebay from time to time)
Chrome Shifter Bezel
Wiring Harness for the shifter
Floor Console
Bucket seats
And Time.

It took me a couple of years to get the parts together to make the conversion but I think it will be a sweet ride when she is done.

Allen

[sbca96]

My dad has a left over Powershift trans from a 1969 Avanti II. Not sure what
is different (just the bellhousing?) to mount it to a Stude.

Tom

[stude dude]

John, are you aware of the internal differences between a Powershift and Flightomatic transmissions?

It is a reasonably easy conversion to fit an Avanti type floor change setup to a Flightomatic in a RHD Lark or Hawk, plenty have done it before, but converting a regular auto to function like a Powershif is near impossible. I believe even the trans housing is different.

A while ago I had some Powershift plastic dials custom made in the PNDLR shift pattern to allow for this conversion. Apart from changing your detents (so you don't accidentally shove it in reverse!) it is pretty simple once you have all the parts.

[candbstudebakers]

John what car would you be putting it in? you have an Avanti right? so that one doesn't need it, I have every thing .but not cheap or give away prices...Bob

[avantilover]

I have a 1962 Lark Regal 4 Door Sedan. Considering the transmission works well I may leave it alone. What I really needed to know I now realize is that a floor shift can be installed, just not a powershift (thought that was what a floor shift was), so a floor shifted flightomatic is the way to go if I wish to do it.

Many thanks to all.

[sbca96]

Oh yes ... there is a difference between the Powershift and a Flightomatic with floor shift.
Problem is, there are not any aftermarket floor shifters that have the Studebaker pattern!
One of the many reasons I went with a 700R4 in my Hawk.

Tom

[avantilover]

Decided not to do it, she works well, no need to invite trouble. If I wanted to update a Studebaker I'd go the Art Morrison frame/ modern everything route, too hard to combine old and new.

This one will do me I wanted a car and have one.

Merry Xmas Tom