That is an outstanding reference picture Moparmarks! Thank you very much! If I'm going to do something, I'm going to do it right. I already contacted the guy I bought it from and he was pretty good about it... said he was sure it came from a cuda, *but* it was stored a long time ago and its possible it came from a b body. He is taking it back. So, it is on its way back. Thank you all for your help. I have already purchased the now correct set up, pictured below. Now, I just need to buy the correct linkage. Don't know if I should just buy it from yearone or find original parts. While I have your attention... yearone lists 2 different part numbers for the shift linkage, one for 1970 and one for 1971-74 The pictures look exactly the same... could someone tell me why there would be a difference between the years? For example I know the consoles are different only because 70 has a seatbelt holder and the 71 to 74 has an ashtray.

The main difference i know of between 70 and later years is the interlock linkage. To connect the key release linkage to the shift linkage, the end of the linkage where it attaches to the transmission shift lever is different.

In 70 one piece of linkage had a long pin that went through the shift lever and through the other piece of linkage. They are held together with a clip through the pin.

In 71 the pin on the shift linkage was shorter because it didn't need to pass through the second piece of linkage. I believe in 71 they also switched to a push in retainer on the lever. If not 71 soon after they did.

If you are not using the 70 interlock linkage you don't need the 70 linkage but the shift lever may be different. Shift levers are not a big deal though.

You can see from the pictures the 70 with interlock and 71 up without interlock.

So... the car is a 1970 barracuda that rolled out of the factory with a small block paired to a column shift. I don't have it home yet, she is awaiting transport. The car now has a 426 hemi in her that they paired with a B and M floor shifter with no console. I am attempting to collect all the pieces ahead of time to get rid of the b and m and have a console slap stick shifter. Does knowing that swap has been done help determine what I need or does it simply depend on being able to look at it in person?

I'll start with a question.

Do you want it to be like exactly like an original 1970 Floor shift or just look good and work correctly?



When they moved the key from the dash to the steering column starting in 1970, they added a lock the steering wheel when the key is removed. They also added an interlock to prevent the key from being removed and locking the wheel while driving.

Pretty much all column shift cars are the same 70 and later. (There are differences but nothing spectacular)

1970 floor shift cars had a one year only interlock system. 71 and later floor shift cars used a simpler system.

There are a few questions you need to answer.

Is the original column shift column still in the car or did they change the column?

If they changed the column is it a 70 floor shift column or a 71 and later column?


Under the hood, a 70 floor shift column will have a tab on the side of the column to move the key interlock system. It looks exactly like a column shift column tab to move the shift linkage under the hood. BUT a 1970 floor shift column will not have the lever or place to mount a lever on the steering column inside the car.

On a 71 and later floor shift column there will be no tab under the hood and behind the key there will be a tab to depress so you can remove the key.

I can round up some pictures if you need me to.

Do you have any pictures of the inside or underhood of the car you are waiting on?

To answer your first question, I just want it to look good and work correctly. I posted 2 pics of engine compartment, but they don't show what we need to look at. She still has the original column shift column on her.

You can leave the column shift column in and remove the lever arm but you will have a nub on the side of the column and the shift indicator on top of the column. Kinda noticeable but functional. If you go this route use the 71 & up shift linkage.*

I prefer to swap or convert the column to floor shift.

If you find an affordable 1970 column you can swap it out. You can also install the interlock linkage if you choose.
You will need the 70 linkage for the shifter if you install the interlock linkage or 71 up floor shifter linkage if you don't use the interlock linkage.*

If you can't find a 70 Column, you can swap in a 71 or later floor shift. It will not work with the interlock linkage, so use the 71 up shifter linkage.*

E bodies used a different column shaft/tube than all the other mopars.
BUT
Good news is that the same upper column design was used from 1970 through the 80's, Converting your existing shaft & tube to 71 & Up floor shift is easy.
You will need the lower and middle portion of a floor shift column head and preferably a lower column seal. Most Mopars used a lower bearing but E bodies used a foam seal in a retainer.

Once you figure out what you want to do with the column you can make the rest work.

Some important things to consider.
1. A lot of aftermarket shifters have their own lever on the transmission. This lever is not included in the linkage kit but are extremely common being the same on nearly all 727/904 tranny's. You may need to change the lever from the one you have now since you have a B&M Shifter.
2. If you use the 70 column or a column shift column and no interlock linkage, you will want to lock the interlock/shift tube to prevent it from rotating. If it rotates out of the park position you will not be able to remove the key. An easy way to lock it is to remove the small black screw holding the wiring cover on the bottom of the column and swapping in a long screw. Unnoticeable after done.
*3. You can use the 70 shift linkage without the interlock lever by making a small spacer to take up the slack where the interlock linkage would mount. (several washers should work)

If you need help converting the column let me know. I have done more than one. They used to even sell conversion kits.

Awesome information! Thank you very much! Sounds like I am after 1971 or later. I think you are right that getting rid of the nub and shift indicator will look much better. I have't had to look at it on a daily basis yet, once I do I am sure it having them there will definitely annoy me. lol Is this the conversion kit you were talking about https://www.manciniracing.com/mretp25.html Can this be bought and just replace that part of the column with out replacing the rest of it?

Yes. That is one. There may be others. You can get those parts from floor shift cars, trucks,and vans into the late 80's

I buy a whole column for about $40 and scavenge parts. They are getting harder to find in junkyards though.

This one is specific to the 70 and I believe it will keep the interlock operational. Not a big deal in my book.
https://www.manciniracing.com/mretp26.html

What I have not tried is to swap a 71 up head onto a 70 tube. It should work it is just 4 screws holding all those parts to the column tube, almost everything else is the same.

The only difference I know of for sure is the 70/71's used a bolt to hold in the ignition lock. In 1972 they started using a spring loaded pin on the lock cylinder to hold it in the column. Moving to a 71 column head may require a new lock cylinder.