Hi Guys,
I've finally got my hk on the road and have been using it daily for about 2 weeks now (which makes me very happy!) it's original 186+p.glide with a 3.36 banjo + i'm getting around 19mpg or 7kmL in varying traffic, highway, suburban + hilly, using 95 fuel + valve lube.
I know a major contributing factor to my fuel consumption (aside from needing a good tune) is the powerglide, which demands top gear at around 45/50kmh going up hill...yes it's painfully slow and very load-bearing on the engine as it's 14km to the top, but my only other option is first gear at a revvy 25km/h...basically the engine is strained in either gear.
Ultimately i'd like to fit a 5spd manual, but lack of funds means i'm more limited to something like a trimatic....so...am i going to need a ht/g crossmember, and will this even bolt up to my hk?
can i use the original column shifter? the p.glide gear change linkage is on the left, so which model trimatic should i use?
The p.glide uses a rod linked from the manifold for kickdown actuation, would this become redundant? can i use the correct vaccuum line from the trimatic and plumb it into my existing manifold?
Finally, anyone got a really cheap (complete AND reliable) 5spd setup for sale in south east qld ;)

PS i also just discovered the fuel tank is leaking, through a previous repair of what looks like 'metal mend'or something like it. should i try to reseal it or forget and fit another tank. i have a spare tank that doesn't leak but the floor mount support is a bit rusty in few places...

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i'd rather hated for who i am than loved for who i am not.

Edited by user Monday, 21 August 2006 5:30:55 AM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

thanks johnperth, not worried about not being able to select first gear if it's really not possible, i just hate being limited to 2 speeds gears. i'm thinking a trimatic would be my cheapest option...any ideas on the other parts (ie crossmember) fitting?

Hi Guys.

If the car is currently an HK 6 cyl Powerglide, then the existing crossmember, tailshaft & manifold vacuumn fitting can all be re-used.

The only fiddles will be kickdown & shift linkage. The existing column can be used, you just won't have

You wouldn't lose it - the box will still select it automatically and most likely it will still select by the column, but there will be no indicator for it - that is why I suggested the trimatic column. The bit about 'mucking around' was because IIRC the

Edited by user Tuesday, 22 August 2006 5:03:01 PM(UTC)  | Reason: Not specified

Hey guys,
On the HG auto's isnt there a collar on the end of the steering column (in the engine bay) that acts like a gate to select the P, R & 1-2-3 (otherwise the rest of the set-up in the column is floppy)? I assume with the HK's powerglide this would