[SCG] Why is there a Fisher Body Accessory code for 4-Speed Transm ission?

[chevrobilia at juno.com]

Bill, 
Yes, Dave Trull, Kent and I have pondered and studied along this path over the past few years. It's a well beaten route to us. 
What Kent told you is our conclusion: that the reason for the 4-speed code was merely to keep Corvair record keeping in line with other Chevy car lines, some of which may or may not have required a code. We never found a physical reason for Fisher to make note of a Vair 4-speed installation vs a 3-speed.
There is no difference in the bolt pattern for mounting 3 speed or 4 speed shifter assemblies (confirmed by Dr. Claypool). In fact, Chevy recommended installing 3-speed shifters in 4-speed cars to achieve  shorter shift throws. Likewise, the carpet hole would be the same for both shifters.
Dave  


-- "Bill Hubbell" <whubbell at cox.net> wrote:
<?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" />
This is a mystery that I have never solved.  We know that the accessory codes on the Fisher Body tag were only there for the RPOs that required some action on Fisher Body’s part before turning the car over to Chevrolet.  At first glance, it seems that all of the actions required to replace the standard 3-speed transmission with the optional PowerGlide or 4-speed transmissions are done by Chevrolet.  However, we eventually figured out that Fisher supplied the front carpet and had to know in advance whether to cut a hole for the shift lever or not, and hence the reason for the PowerGlide accessory code (2M) became apparent.
 
However, we still are not certain of the reason for the 4 speed code (2L).  I have been studying the 1964 assembly manual and have come up with a “possible” explanation.  If you study the chart below, it is apparent that there are different part numbers for the shift lever housing for the 1964 3 and 4 speed transmissions.  The levers are also different, depending on whether the car has bench or bucket seats, but the housing is transmission specific for all years except, oddly, 1961, in which it is Model-specific.  Of course, the parts book could be wrong, as it occasionally is.
 
Anyway, since the housing assembly is just about the ONLY part that is different between the 3 and 4 speed transmissions in any way that could affect Fisher Body, I am wondering if that is the key; in other words, is there something about that difference which might require Fisher to cut the front carpet shifter hole differently?
 
Does anybody have access to both 3-speed and a 4-speed Corvairs (preferably same years, 62-65) that can be checked to see if this is the case?
 
If this is not the reason, than can anybody else thing of another one?
 
Bill Hubbell
 
 
Part #
Name
Years
Model
3-Spd
4-Spd
Buckets
Bench
Lever Part #
3784295
Housing Assy, Lever
60-64
<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" />Monza
x
 
x
 
3712703
 
 
61
Monza
 
x
x
 
3784297
 
 
61
Monza
 
x
x
 
3812701
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
3787016
Housing Assy, Lever
60-63
Corvair
x
 
 
x
3780349
 
 
61-64
Corvair
 
x
 
x
3796141
 
 
62-64
Monza
 
x
x
 
3812701
 

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