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Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:24 pm

my situation- I got a $100 1971SB hardtop with manual trans (a tree fell on it and it has a crushed roof - but runs well) a few months ago. I now have the opportunity to purchase a non-running 1974 SB Convertible (Autostick). My question - Can I mount the 1974 SB Convertible (Autostick) body to the 1971 SB (manual) chassis? I want to keep the original 1971 1600 and manual trans. Any major problems with the swap?

Mon Jul 11, 2005 2:54 pm

The big problem is the support stuff added to the '74 because it's a vert. Also, the 74 had rack & pinnion steering IIRC, so that might cause a problem as well. Then, there is the autostick. You'll have to convert one way or the other.

Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:08 pm

75 and later have the rack and pinion... I think the 74 will fit fine... just be sure to use the struts and lower control arms off the 74 on the front end..

you will also need to cut off the "jack mounts" on the 71 pan or they will interfere with the vert body. The jack mounts on a vert are part of the reinforcment rails.

Is the 74 pan and all rusted out or worse than the 71? if not it would be easier to use the trans and engine and shift rod out of the 71 and put them in the 74 than to do a body swap. Plus the seat tracks and rails would allow you to keep the 74 seats.

Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:14 pm

Thanks Keifernet!

Transfering the motor from the 71 would be easiest, assuming the autostick in the '74 is/was working correctly. Should be just the oil/atf pump that needs to be swapped from the old motor I think. There may be some other minor bits, but that is all I can think of at the moment.

Mon Jul 11, 2005 3:28 pm

I was going with what he wanted and loose the auto stick ( sell the parts to someone who needs them to keep on alive/spares)

Since it is not running autostick it may not work? or the engine is toast.

So why take a chance? ( unless he really wanted the autostick bad enough to try)

If he were to use the 71 engine... UNLESS the cam plug is installed reverse in the 71 engine ( likely it is not) the drive plate for the auto stick would wear a hole in it and he would have an oil leak real quick!

He wants to have manual so he just needs to swap the trans, pedal assembly, shift rod etc from the 71... there are several threads on doing the swap if you search.