66 4 spd Console in a 65 Barracuda

[65TTCuda]

I'm swapping my automatic to a 4spd. Question? If I put a center console in my car, do I still need the floor tunnel? Or is the console enouth to cover the cut out in the floor for the shifter. Guess now that I think about it, my question should be, does a 66 barracuda have a floor tunnel for the console 4 spd cars? Anyways does anybody know for sure, I would appriciate all info and comments. I already have the console and all the parts to convert to a 4 spd.

To share a little of my build, 1965 Barracuda formula S, 360 magnum, stock bottom end, Big Mutha Thumr cam, 10.5:1 hypereutectic pistons, hardened pushrods, EQ heads with LA intake drilled, port matched and bowls blended, 1.6 roller rockers, Offenhauser turbo thrust 360 tunnel ram, 2x 450 cfm holleys. Trans is an A833 4 spd trans, Lakewood scater shield, Mcleod clutch and flywheel Assy., hydraulic assist, 8.75 rearend, 3.73 gears on a steel spool, Dr. Diff axles, 11 x 2.5 drum brakes on ss springs and traction bars. Front end is a straight axle from a 37 dodge, springs are from Speedway Motors, hubs and 11" disc brakes are from Scarbird. Car will ride on 275/60-15's in the rear and 195/60-15's in the front. That is the highlights of the build. any info of comments will be appriciated. Pictures are kid of what i'm shooting for.

 

[Murray]

All cars have a tunnel to clear whatever trans is in it. All consoles are smaller than the tunnel upon which they sit. Most race cars have no console, what purpose would it serve?

 

[Syleng1]

Yes you have to have the 4speed tunnel for all of the abodies (or custom make your floor to go around the shifter body) post a wanted ad I’m sure you can buy one off here easily. They are not hard to do.

 

[65TTCuda]

Thanks for the info Murray / Syleng1, the car is more of a street car, mostly, I don't have the budget to be thrashing, braking and replacing. Some of the parts in the build are not of constant racing grade. I just really like the 60's gasser look. It will see some track time but I doubt it will come off the lights at 6 grand, wheels up and hold together. lol

 

[Professor Fate]

The '66 tunnel hump is different from a '65, the consoles themselves changed in '66 to the newer "coffin" style console. Since this console is wider than the '65 console, the bucket seats were also changed and made a little narrower to accommodate the console.
So, to mount the '66 console in your '65; you would need the '66 floor hump (or make your own, they're not that difficult to make since you're obviously not concerned with being 100% factory correct and it will be covered by the carpet and console anyway), the mounting brackets, and '66 (and up?) seats.
When fabbing the tunnel, google up some reference pictures for your application, since the hump needs to not only provide clearance for the shifter (which is offset to the driver's side and requires a special shifter handle/mechanism to locate the shift lever in the "central" location of the console), but for the linkage as well as it goes around the transmission/torsion bar crossmember.

 

[toolmanmike]

If you put a 66 console in a 65 you will need the 66 seats. They are narrower to accept the coffin console I hear.

 

[65 Dartman]

FWIW, I am using 66 A Body buckets, the front half of a 66 Charger console and modified floor hump to fit a 42RH in my 65 Dart wagon.

 

[cosgig]

The 66 buckets are narrower, and the tracks are different from a 64/65 bucket seat, you will probably have to redrill the inner bolt holes for the tracks, and maybe move the floor brace to accomodate that.

 

[65TTCuda]

Just painted my center console and set the top plates in. It used to be a faded green. Now I have to take the measurements to cut the automatic shift slots out and fit the 4spd boot. it's small but it's progress.

 

[65TTCuda]

Off the subject, I also painted my inner fender wells and frame rails and bought some new spring hangers.

 

[65TTCuda]

Just finished cutting out the automatic gear select area and fitted the 4 speed shift boot. next I need to sand the silver and re-spray it. Then I'll need to fiind some chrome trim to put around the shift boot, so it will look somewhat factory.