4 speed - swap entire column or just spacer to remove lever?

I recently swapped my Saginaw manual 3 speed in my 72 skylark custom convertible that had the 3 on the tree shifter on the column with a Muncie M20 and floor shifter. Runs and shifts great. The problem I have is although the car as a factory manual transmission it has the correct speedo, factory pedals etc. but because of the column shifter it still has the column lever... I could just remove the chrome handle but a few issues:

1) the lever makes it look like it had an automatic
2) I bought the reverse lockout kit, installed it but as you know the way it works is the linkage comes from the 4 speed rods to the steering column and turns a part of the column. it is supposed to twist the column to activate the reverse lights and also be able to prevent the key from coming out unless its in reverse. I can only adjust it to either take the key out OR turn on the reverse lights but not both....

So I bought a floor shift steering column from a 71 Chevelle. I thought I could swap the columns out and plug the wiring harness in and go. However, the wires are a little different. the Buick has 2 pink wires and the Chevelle 2 green in their place.

I saw a "Musclecar" episode http://www.powerblocktv.com/episode/MC2013-11/copo-camaro-component-resto#.U-2LCZUg_IU

where they had the same issue. They take an automatic column, removed the sleeve portion that had the shifter handle and just replaced that portion with a sleeve that was smooth.

I am looking for suggestions on what to do?

Can I just swap the sleeves (and can I do this in the car?)
or am I better off swapping the entire column and swap the turn signal wiring so all the colors match?

thanks for any input you might have...

 

You might try to find a floor shift manual collumn. I have heard of guys grinding off the lever mount and using all metal as a filler t repair the spot

 

I am not sure as i have all man trany cars, but i think that the arm on the bottom of the coloum is shorter that auto trans.

 

Yep that's what I did, JB weld work's wonders.............................

 

X2 with the JB weld. Sanded it out and painted. You could never tell now.

 

A floor shift auto column will work. Should not be too hard to find one. Mine works the reverse lights and the reverse lockout using the auto column/firewall linkage from the muncie shifter linkage.

 

good to know thanks....The 71 Chevelle floor shift column I bought should work then. I will just change the turn signal wiring so all the colors remain stock and you will never know this was a manual on the column car...