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74 Gremlin 304 V8, Automatic to Manual
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camrock View Drop Down
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Points: 32 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote camrock Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Topic: 74 Gremlin 304 V8, Automatic to Manual
    Posted: Jan/26/2016 at 6:38pm
I'm getting rolling on a restoration project on a 74 Gremlin that has a frozen 304 V8 with an automatic transmission. I do miss driving a manual, and I found a guy on Craigslist selling a 3-speed transmission with clutch, pressure plate, bell housing, and a set of pedals from a 304 V8 Gremlin for $200. And according to him the linkage is all in great shape.

Is making the switch difficult? Too much trouble for what it's worth? How involved of a process is it? You're talking to someone who using this project to learn how to work on this car, so be gentle with me.
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tyrodtom View Drop Down
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Points: 6214 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote tyrodtom Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan/26/2016 at 7:06pm
The engine has to come out anyhow.

I don't think it's a difficult job, I've done it on a 74 Hornet years ago, and on my present 66 American recently.

You might ask him if he has a flywheel.

Linkage ? Clutch linkage, or shift linkage, or both ?

You might check the overall length of his transmission and compare it to your automatic. If they're not the same, you'll need driveshaft work.
66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va.
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Points: 3314 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote 1970390amx Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan/26/2016 at 7:08pm
As long as every thing is there it is not bad, but will be kind of like putting together a puzzle with out a picture. A manual or parts book shows a lot but if you have never looked at one assembled lots of time the pictures are hard to decipher. If pieces are missing the puzzle gets worse. As far as how difficult it should not be real hard unless you are missing parts. Its not like rebuilding a trans or motor. It would be nice to find a manual trans car to look at while you are working on it.
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purple72Gremlin View Drop Down
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Points: 16614 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote purple72Gremlin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan/26/2016 at 10:19pm
get the driveshaft if you can. the yoke is different. and the left strut rod bracket has a hole in it for the Z bar. the transmission is a T14.   (I have a 1972 V8 and a 1974 6 cylinder Gremlins with the T14)
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mixed up View Drop Down
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Points: 2178 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote mixed up Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan/26/2016 at 11:29pm
thats is one heck of a price for  the parts even if the parts are not there you have a good start of lots of fun driving i would buy them if your thinking of going manuelClap
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Points: 5394 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote uncljohn Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan/27/2016 at 8:47am
Some parts are made out of unobtainium, and if you do not have all the clutch linkage parts, the odds are you will have an extremely hard time finding them. As the standard transmission for this car is a non synchromesh low gear unit leaving only 2nd and high as easy to shift you might want to think twice about how much fun it is going to be to drive it. At least I think it is.
As far as anything else it takes to make it a standard transmission car, those things are generic. But the pedals are product specific, with out them the car becomes an lawn ornament.
On the other hand, the automatic used with it has a lot of potential.
If this car is intended to be a learning project, I question the logic of doing a change over.
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Mr. Ed View Drop Down
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Points: 4916 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote Mr. Ed Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan/27/2016 at 9:06am
I am having Casper converted from a four speed to an automatic since my knee will no longer support use of a clutch. I had an automatic Spirit to use as a parts car so the issues outlined by others are not a problem. So in the end it might be wiser to find a donor car so you don't have to scrounge up the parts for the conversion. Since the Spirit is basically an updated Gremlin, those parts might be usable for your conversion.

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Mr. Ed
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The T-14 is synchromesh in all forward gears.
And the prices the guy's asking for the parts is low.

Any car is much more fun to drive as a straight stick, even if they are just synchromesh in the top 2 gears. To me a automatic just sucks the fun out of driving.
Go for it.
66 American SW, 66 American 2dr, 82 J10, 70 Hornet, Pound, Va.
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Points: 16614 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote purple72Gremlin Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Jan/31/2016 at 10:54am
Originally posted by tyrodtom tyrodtom wrote:

The T-14 is synchromesh in all forward gears.
And the prices the guy's asking for the parts is low.

Any car is much more fun to drive as a straight stick, even if they are just synchromesh in the top 2 gears. To me a automatic just sucks the fun out of driving.
Go for it.
X2.   that was one of the big reasons I bought my 74 Gremlin. the 258/3spd.
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bob401 View Drop Down
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Points: 263 		Post Options Post Options   Thanks (0) Thanks(0)   Quote bob401 Quote  Post ReplyReply Direct Link To This Post Posted: Feb/08/2016 at 8:29pm
Doesnt the driver's side strut rod bracket also come into play?  As in you need to find one for linkage reasons?
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