Tech | Transmission Upgrade
Just out of the shop with a fresh coat of Clearwater Aqua paint on our '67 Fairlane 500 hardtop, we're now reassembling the car. The 289 engine in the Fairlane was rebuilt recently, as was the rear axle that's equipped with 3.50 gears. Between the two lives a C4 three-speed automatic transmission. The C4 was working fine when we last drove the car, but we're looking to improve its shift feel and we really don't know the condition of the C4's fluid either. As part of our Fairlane project we have decided to convert the car from a bench seat and column shift configuration to a bucket seat and floor-shifted arrangement, which is more commonly found in the GT. Last time we looked at our Fairlane we replaced the stock steering column with a great tilt steering column and steering wheel from Flaming River, so now we're addressing the question of transmission shifting. Trying to cobble together a factory console would be complicated and expensive and what we really wanted was a simple and cleanly designed shifter mechanism that had a stock flavor to it, making it blend well with our new factory-style interior. We found the solution in the form of the B&M Racing Unimatic Shifter. We felt that is was a perfect column shift replacement because it installs mostly below the floorpan and incorporates a factory looking rubber boot over the carpeting instead of the console assembly found on other B&M floor shifters such as the Quicksilver or Star Shifter models. The Unimatic includes a neutral safety switch, black T-handle, five foot cable and all required hardware.
While we're addressing transmission related issues we decided to take our project further in light of anticipated performance upgrades. To protect our transmission against the additional heat generated by our more powerful rebuilt engine we decided to equip our car with a B&M Super Cooler automatic transmission cooler. This compact cooler is really a separate radiator dedicated to the cooling of the transmission. The factory heat exchanger, while it is adequate for normal driving, can easily become overloaded and the B&M unit is very inexpensive insurance against the number one enemy of your transmission. Although our car was running fine with the transmission working smoothly we also decided it would be hard to go wrong with a B&M Shift Improver Kit, part number 50260. We've had good experiences with B&M kits in the past and they offer improved shift firmness as well as other advantages over stock. Join us and we'll see how easy it was to upgrade our transmission in these three important ways.
Here's the heart of our transmission...
Here's the heart of our transmission conversion from column- to floor-shift. This Unimatic Shifter has a sanitary and business-like appearance and looks like a factory four-speed unit. Part number 80775, the shifter carries an MSRP of $129.95. In keeping with the factory theme, we also opted to use the white B&M logo shift ball instead of the T-handle that comes furnished with the shifter. Part number 46110, the knob carries a price of $27.05.
Depending upon your interior...
Depending upon your interior you might have to completely remove the carpet or your console, but in our case we were lucky in that we only had to fold the front half of our carpet out of the way to access the trans tunnel. Cut out the template for locating the shifter that is included in the instructions and mark out the location for the shifter. Look underneath the car to determine just how much clearance between the floorpan and the transmission is available and where the shifter will work best.
Next we make the cut for the...
Next we make the cut for the shifter mounting according to the pattern laid out with the template. Once we trial fitted the shifter it became apparent that the unit wouldn't sit flush with the floor without bottoming out on the transmission. According to the recommendation in the instructions we decided to shim the shifter up to the extent that it would fit the opening and not contact the transmission. Because the installation wouldn't be a flush mount, we created enough length to the opening to install and accommodate the unit without any interference problems.
Before installing the shifter...
Before installing the shifter into the car we completed the attachment of the cable assembly to the unit. Here we tighten two opposing jamb nuts that anchor the cable casing to the shifter frame.
Next it's a simple matter...
Next it's a simple matter to complete the connection of the cable itself to the shifter output arm using the metal C-clip provided in the kit.
Here we're installing the...
Here we're installing the Unimatic shifter into the car. The elongated slot we created will help us get the shifter installed without disturbing the transmission and will allow the unit to sit level.
We completed the installation...
We completed the installation using four identical spacers we found in our extra parts box, but you can use washers or cut your own spacers from steel tubing. The additional amount that the shifter sticks up will easily be concealed by the boot once installed. Remember this is a universal kit and some improvisation may be required according to what type of vehicle you're dealing with.
All that remains of our installation...
All that remains of our installation inside the car is to install the shift boot. Using the frame as a template, the required holes are created with a drill. Other than the underlayment fibers winding up around the drill bit this part of the installation was easy.
Our completed shifter install...
Our completed shifter install looks great in our freshened interior and works perfectly with our new floor-shift style steering column; now to connect the shifter cable to the transmission.
Because of the headers on...
Because of the headers on our car, it wasn't possible to photograph the installation of the B&M shift lever included in the kit, but this diagram plainly illustrates the installation. The cable assembly includes everything you'll need to make the connection including the threaded cable swivel. Simply adjust the shifter by changing the position of the swivel on the cable by running it forward or backward on the threaded cable end. If you've got an AOD transmission then use Bracket and Lever kit part number 40496 available at a cost of $54.11.
We now turn our attention...
We now turn our attention to the B&M Super Cooler transmission cooler installation. Part number 70255, the unit is rated at 9,800 BTUs of heat transfer capacity and costs only $74.95. It comes complete with the appropriately rated hose and extensive mounting hardware. Here we're scouting out a location for the cooler somewhere on the radiator core support directly in the slipstream. At the far right end of the support we found a perfect spot complete with a factory opening perfect for routing of the cooler lines. All we had to do to access the spot was to temporarily remove the horn.
This B&M-supplied diagram...
This B&M-supplied diagram shows the correct placement of the cooler in the transmission cooling circuit. Notice the direction of flow shows that the cooler is located downstream of the heat exchanger in the radiator and directly before the fluid return to the transmission. The B&M instructions explain how to determine which line is the fluid return line according to your make of vehicle. We were certain to be correct in this determination because the B&M external cooler works to improve on the cooling job done by the factory heat exchanger. To do this the cooler needs to be last in line before the fluid returns to the transmission.