I think i jumped the gun

[Jaysam]

OK guys a few days ago i started a thread about putting a 440 in my '74 satellite wich now has a 318 with a 3spd manual on the column. I'd like to thank the guys that replied with advise but i think i was getting a head of myself. I just got all wrapped up in all the BB talk on here but then realized i really dont have any engine building experience. I just didnt want to put money in something i may not be happy with. But im gonna give the 69,000mi 318 a shot. The thing i'd really like to do is move the 3spd manual column shift to a manual on the floor. Does any body have any experience with that job, as far as cutting a hole in the floor or whatever else it may include. Like i said in my last thread the car is in awesome shape and i dont want a hack job done on it. Now i know most people will say to just put a 4spd in, and i may, but i already have this trans and either way need a hole in the floor and was planning on keeping the bench seat for now also. Sorry for such a long post, just explaining the situation.

 

[RustyRatRod]

That job requires a bit more than just a hole in the floor. You will need one of these.

http://brewersperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=FT160

It is not a tremendously hard job, but it does require some welding. Of course, if you really want it right, you'll need a floor shift steering column without all the shifter hooha. These two things are just for starters. You'll need a correct shifter and linkage as well. Let me understand.....so you have a 74 Satellite....I am assuming 2 door with a three on the tree? Hell, that's pretty cool like it is. lol

 

[super-bee_ski]

Gee,
Lots of "TECH" help here.
Just go to forums, type in the search words.
Lots of it is archived.

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Like "RUSTY" pointed out. Brewers in Ohio are the experts.
Go to their website. Great people, great hepl, great products.

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That job requires a bit more than just a hole in the floor. You will need one of these.

http://brewersperformance.com/proddetail.asp?prod=FT160

It is not a tremendously hard job, but it does require some welding. Of course, if you really want it right, you'll need a floor shift steering column without all the shifter hooha. These two things are just for starters. You'll need a correct shifter and linkage as well. Let me understand.....so you have a 74 Satellite....I am assuming 2 door with a three on the tree? Hell, that's pretty cool like it is. lol

I ALSO kind of like the "3-on the tree"

 

[Pops1967GTX]

x2 :headbang: I ALSO kind of like the "3-on the tree"..Post some photo's...

 

[RustyRatRod]

It's gotta be low production if it's a 2 door three on the tree....you'd think anyway.

 

[WP29440SE]

i thought the 3 on the tree was LONG gone by 74 :eusa_think: that has to be one rare satty

 

[YY1]

Yeah, that's AWFULLY late for a manual on the column.

If it were me, I would consider putting in a 4 speed (or o/d 3) and putting it on the floor.

Increase the accuracy of the shifts, as well as the fun factor, the wow factor, and maybe even gas mileage.

 

[Jaysam]

Thanks for all the replies, and yea its a green 2 door w/black interior w/a bench seat, and i saw that it had total potential for something cool even with the white walls w/14" stock rally rims and the single exhaust, previous owner wanted to keep it all original, though my friends laugh at it, because they all claim to be real muscle car guys with their camaros and chevells and GTO's, but i laugh because most of them dont even know how to drive 3 on the tree. I'll get some pics posted soon. So if I understand Rusty correctly even if I want to keep the bench for now I have to change the tunnel to make it a floor shift?

 

[RustyRatRod]

Yeah and I' not sure you can retain the bench seat with a 4 speed tunnel on a 74 model. I don't think you can.

Besides all that, I'll be damned if I wouldn't leave it like that just because it's different. Just my 2 cents.

That's a real strange combo because you figure somebody that didn't want the expense of an automatic wouldda NOT sprung for a 318 and just had a slant six. That car has to be somewhat rare. We want pictures.

 

[moparmarks]

I had a 74 Charger baseline car /6 with 3 on the tree.

 

[Jaysam]

Ok, now you have me thinking twice about changing it, i'll get pics up to see what you think. Yea they really cheaped out when they ordered this car , it has rotors in the front but no power brakes or power steering, but to me less is more, if that makes any sence to anybody. Just less stuff to go wrong i guess.

 

[RustyRatRod]

I had a 74 Charger baseline car /6 with 3 on the tree.

Yeah I could see that easier than a 318 3 on the tree. Cause somebody wantin a base line car wouldn't give a damn about a 318. They'd took the slant.

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Man I'll be damned if I would change that car. I mean it'll be cool whatever you do.....but how many you think came like that?

Ok, now you have me thinking twice about changing it, i'll get pics up to see what you think. Yea they really cheaped out when they ordered this car , it has rotors in the front but no power brakes or power steering, but to me less is more, if that makes any sence to anybody. Just less stuff to go wrong i guess.

 

[Sprag]

That sounds like a cool ride just as it is so I'd switch friends LONG before I'd switch the engine/trans or whatever. Besides, your still fresh cream-puff 318 has about about 127000 miles to go before it catches up with mine, which is equal to about 1100 round trips to my house from yours. So go ahead, load up your 'friends' along with a gaggle of beers and get over here, I'll gladly knock a few of them back for you as I drool over your machine. :headbang:

Oh yeah, We NEED pics duder!

PS: Driving a 3OTT = instant bad-***, end of story.

 

[CTMopar]

14" ralley rims are better than 20" any kind of rims on a classic, white walls may need to go.

 

[fuely62]

Ok, now you have me thinking twice about changing it, i'll get pics up to see what you think. Yea they really cheaped out when they ordered this car , it has rotors in the front but no power brakes or power steering, but to me less is more, if that makes any sence to anybody. Just less stuff to go wrong i guess.

Great Ride the way it is! If anything add some twice pipes, and yeah turn the whites inside.

 

[Jaysam]

Ok so here are a few pics of my 74 satellite w/3spd manual on the column and a 318. Car has 69,000mi and i just bought it a few weeks ago. I was thinking about trying to move the manual shifter to the floor and wondering what it would all take to do so. I may just keep the 318 (for now) and try to make it a little more lively. I would like to get more low end power out of it but right now i'm just happy i have it and cant wait to get it out in the spring, I already have it put away for the winter. The previous owner (who was the second owner ever for the car) wanted to keep it all original but he said he went through a "phase" and had the spoiler put on the rear trunk lid. Other than that its original right down to the AM radio and single exhaust and manual brakes and steering. Hope you guys like it.

 

[Pops1967GTX]

Looks great......all of us can give you advice on your car. Your opinion counts the most... Do what makes you happy with your satellite.....

 

[CTMopar]

Thats a cool car as is. I would flip the white walls in though. I love to see cars that have something different. I don't know if I have ever seen a 74 2 door column shift. The spoiler with the flat hood will keep em guessing too. At a cruise I would spend more time looking at your car than a 74 4 speed road runner. I had a 73 RR so its not that I don't like them but your ride is very unique.

 

[68sportsatelliteragtop]

Looks great......all of us can give you advice on your car. Your opinion counts the most... Do what makes you happy with your satellite.....

X2 Although it may be one of only a few equipped the way it is, I don't think it will be worth any less if you do it the way you want. A floor shifted 3+1 OD trans would be a cool swap. You could bump up the rear a little, to 3:55, and add a small 4 barrel, that would help the car out of the hole and still run great on the highway. You don't have to change the column, just remove the shift lever and live with the little nub on the column.Or cut it off and do a little patch work. Looks like you got a good looking car there, have fun with it!

 

[CTMopar]

X2 Although it may be one of only a few equipped the way it is, I don't think it will be worth any less if you do it the way you want. A floor shifted 3+1 OD trans would be a cool swap. You could bump up the rear a little, to 3:55, and add a small 4 barrel, that would help the car out of the hole and still run great on the highway. You don't have to change the column, just remove the shift lever and live with the little nub on the column.Or cut it off and do a little patch work. Looks like you got a good looking car there, have fun with it!

I don't think that we always need to be worried about what a car is worth dollar wise. Maybe for the show car "look at my car its to nice for me to drive" guys thats how they see it. I will have more into my car than I could sell it for but its what I want so its worth it to me. Is a 4 on the floor more fun than 3 on the tree, absolutely. But having something as unique as this is fun too in a different way. He could make the gear and bolt on performance changes and have the best of both ways. I had a Duster 340 that was a factory 3 on the floor, not much of a performance difference from on the tree just a little shorter 1st to 2nd throw. I did put a 4 gear in it though. He definately has an interesting car to work with.