Hi all my question is that I have a th350 behind a 455 in a 70 skylark. It is floor shifted but the whole shift mechanism for the floor is definitly incorrect for the car (it looks like the ones i see for camaros and monte carlos no anchor point for front of console). I am also not sure if the cable is correct but it still goes through all gears except low 1 ( limitations of the incorrect shifter). Lastly I want to upgrade to a 2004r in the future when funds allow. So what does a factory correct shifter look like for a 70 besides just the woodgrain? Also I read the cable for a th350 and th400 may be different but that the 2004r is veeery similar to the th350 as far as fitment goes. So should I keep my current cable or try for th400 cable? I want to get all my knowledge straight before I go posting in the parts wanted section!
The console and floor shift for 70 thru 72 GS & Skylarks are the same for both 350 and 455. The shifter cable may be a different length but the console itself and shifter are the same. Here they are and what they look like installed in my '71 GS455.:
If you are going to put a Turbo 200-4R in it at a later time, Shiftworks makes a new shift plate, cable, trans pan bracket and trans shift selector that works great with that shifter. I've got one and I can hit Park all the way to L1 without issue. Your only concern is to create a neutral / backup light switch if you decide to put it on the floor shifter. You can also mount it on the column but that requires the rod that goes up to the column. I used an overdrive GN neutral / backup light switch and bonded it to the bracket for an old 3 speed switch. Still works after 6 years.
If you take a close look at the floor shifter in the above photo you'll see that it has a neutral safety switch mounted on it that also activates the back-up lights when in Reverse. That switch is on '69 and early '70 floor shifts before they went to having the neutral safety switch on the steering column. I removed it on mine as my column had a neutral safety switch on it and the wiring was already going there. But, you could re-route the wiring down to the floor shift switch pretty easily. Good luck with your project.
Outstanding info guys ty for laying all of it out. I feel a lot more confident moving forward with this part of the car now.
I went with this . Instead of the factory GS. It's a Hurst Dual Gate. With an original Olds Hurst console. Witch is just a plastic cover. You can buy the same mini console cover from the Parts place. That is if your looking for Alternatives.
