Chucky,
I ran a hotrod shop for the last 10 years in Texas, but am now in Norway. It really depends on your preference. A OD is no harder to put in than a th350. As mentioned you do have to get the TV cable correct, but that is simple. You can make the column shift work as your sifter for your auto, but it will require much work for it to have the detents and lockouts like a normal column. Many an old car is running just using the tranny detents inside the trans to hold it in a certain position. An aftermarket or stock auto trans column is esier, but harder to find and more expensive. As stated above a 2004r is a little smaller and is the same used in GN turbos, so they are tough. I have run several myself. A 700r4 should fit without cutting your tunnel though. ONe thing to look at on your car is that you have a 2 piece driveshaft, which you will have to shorten the front shaft regardless of what trans you use. If you have a 2 door, and this depends on your ride height, you can use a 1 piece driveshaft without cutting on your X-frame. In your application the stock 2 piece is fine. I have a '61 Impala with a 409 and 4spd with a 2 piece , with a urethane carrier bearing, it will take VERY harsh launches...the rearend is not so forgiving...If you should wnat to stick with a manual trans and stay old shcool. The 3spd w solenoid actuated OD work OK. The solenoids can cost as must as teh whole tranny though. I think i have 1 or 2 still back in TX if you should go this direction. They are operated via the solenoid and a cable pull. This would be the easiest swap for an OD. Not to start an argument with John, but I have bought and sold and modified tons of stuff like this, I even had that trans in my '27 roadster for awhile, BUT unless its a T10 or muncie 4spd, a auto with fetch more, and usually way easier to sell. Even though these 3spd/OD were cool in the day and get the job done, they usually get yanked out and sold for an auto or 4spd...I will have a container coming to Norway this spring and well as end of summer if you should have somehting large to bring across the pond.
Hans
