Transmission / Overdrive: 1962 Hawk Automatic Transmission Floor Shift

[chet445]

Has anyone had experience using '63-'64 power floor shift on an earlier model Hawk? The transmission is a Flight-O-Matic used from '58-'64. I'm told it will not work; if so why not? Thanks, Chet

[64V-K7]

The Power Shift Floor module(stick, shifter rods, switches, etc) can be installed and hooked up the the trans, but the "not working" part is that the Shift indicator will show PRND21, instead of PNDLR. Internally, the '62 gearing detent will only have 5 positions over the range of the quadrant instead of 6. When you pull it back out of Park into Neutral, the shift indicator will be somewhere between PRN. Into Drive, the indicator will be somewhere between RND, etc. See the picture?

[chet445]

Yes. The various indicator positions are different on '63 - '64 than on my transmission. Thanks for the clarification. Chet

[Dwight FitzSimons]

Yes. The various indicator positions are different on '63 - '64 than on my transmission. Thanks for the clarification. Chet

Just to make it clear...... Only the 1963-64 Power Shift transmission has the "PRND21" shift indicators, and it is the only floor-shift A/T on Studebakers. The column-shift automatic transmissions all have "PNDLR" shift indicators. (Qualifier: I don't know about Studebaker's automatic transmissions in the earlier 1950s.)
-Dwight

[StudeNewby]

I'm just guessing here, but the Power Shift transmissions are not thick on the ground, are they? I'm only asking because that first-year start is quite desirable.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

I assume you mean "first-gear start." The Power Shift, like the Flight-O-Matic, starts in second gear when starting out in D. But, I usually go 1-2-D with my Power Shift, so use all 3 gears.

No, the Power Shift transmissions are not thick on the ground. Larks, Hawks, & Avantis all offered it in 1963-64.
-Dwight FitzSimons

[StudeNewby]

Thanks for catching my typo, Dwight. I didn't realize that the Power Shift also started in second gear. That's what I get for assuming.

[Dwight FitzSimons]

The Power Shift trans. can be converted to first-gear start in D, but I'm not familiar with the work & parts needed. That process has been discussed on this SDC Forum.
-Dwight FitzSimons