Reverse manual valve body worth it or a hassle?

[440beep]

Having my transmission rebuilt and have the option of getting a reverse manual valve body. The Bee is a column shift and having it be a reverse manual would definitely save the danger now of manual shifting and accidently going from 2 to N when shifting. Being reverse I would at least go from 1(D) or 2 to D(1) and be safe.

For those who have a column shift reverse manual body, how do you like it? If I got tired of shifting all the time, can it be left in D(1)? Assuming the car would just start off real slow since it's technically in 3rd. Does manually shifting put extra wear and tear on the column?

 

[Zeppelin264]

Never seen a column shift manual valve body. I think that would be annoying. I had a column shift auto and moved the shifter to the floor and went manual valve body and I find that annoying at times.

You wouldn't want to leave the car in 3rd, you'll burn up the trans. Maybe 2nd off the line.. maybe.

Just my opinion.

 

[WileE]

What is the purpose of the car ? What is the purpose of having a reverse manual valve body ? Are you racing the car ?

 

[dvw]

File the notch in the shifter pawl so you can pull straight down to 2nd (it'll work like going from N to 1st). Then you can pull back and down on the shifter for 3rd. No going 1st to 3rd with this mod. My wife used to drive mine in 3rd. Works fine at light throttle. All depends on the converter and gear.
Doug

 

[R413]

If it’s a driver don’t do it. You cannot start in 2nd or 3rd gear, will destroy the trans. Foolish idea.

if it’s a race car it’s awesome. I have one on the column. When you shift you don’t shift like the Incredible Hulk, just gently move the lever.

 

[Fran Blacker]

Reverse manual VB on a column O'man no way. Had a RMB in my car with floor shift for 30 years. It got old. (or it was me?) Had 3.55's and yes you could on level or down slope you could leave in D. You have baby it some no oops I gotta get going in a hurry. You'd find starting in D as big a pain as shifting. Transmission strain I don't know.

 

[493 Mike]

I have only had one so far but, I like to shift it. I use a Cheetah valve body and shifter. My new car will utilize a Cope MVB with a Lokar shifter. Not too lazy to shift my gears!
Mike

 

[Ironbuilt]

I have reverse VB in both my 63 and my Power Wagon. I like to shift the car, but am considering a swap to a 4 speed with granny gear in the power wagon. Not because I don't like the reverse VB, more because I like the 4 speed when off road.

 

[m79ded]

I have a reverse valve body on my Duster and it takes getting used to it on the street, OOPS I went back into 1st once and tach shot right up past 8k RPM, Lucky that 340 didn't get hurt, If it's a street car why bother, that's my take on it

 

[Aron Gleason]

I have a column shift reverse manual valve body. No regrets, and it's a street car occasionally race it.

 

[33 IMP]

File the notch in the shifter pawl so you can pull straight down to 2nd (it'll work like going from N to 1st). Then you can pull back and down on the shifter for 3rd. No going 1st to 3rd with this mod. My wife used to drive mine in 3rd. Works fine at light throttle. All depends on the converter and gear.
Doug

My A12 is EXACTLY the way Doug described, modified shift pawl, rmvb column shifter. I love it. I have two more manual bodies, one forward and one reverse. Gonna put a turbo 400 with a brake and rmvb in my new car.

 

[440beep]

The Bee is 98% street driven, and I do think it would get old eventually. I love a manual gearbox, but only if it's on the floor. I do have a rev limiter which will protect the motor for that skipped shift from 2 to N, so think I will stay with the auto VB.

Thanks for all the thoughts.

 

[Dave6T4]

Put in a 1971 or newer valve body with part throttle kick down. This way, you don't have to mash the gas pedal to the floor to catch a lower gear. I made this change to my 1967 R/T and really like it.

 

[Darter6]

File the notch in the shifter pawl so you can pull straight down to 2nd

I raced my 67 Dart with column shift reverse valve body for years.Easy to do.If your Bee is a 68/69. 70-up with a locking column is a bit more work.
I will say when I converted my 65 Belvedere back to full street duty, I removed the reverse manual valve body after driving it for a summer. D for me.

 

[BSB67]

It's a personal thing. You'll have to decide for yourself. Personnally, if I want to shift, it needs to have a clutch. No clutch, put in "D" and go. To each his own.

 

[68 HEMI GTS]

This car has been a rmvb column shift for 25 years. Works great! Detent is gone.

 

[dvw]

If it’s a driver don’t do it. You cannot start in 2nd or 3rd gear, will destroy the trans. Foolish idea.

And this information comes from where? Exactly how does it destroy it? I've been building Torqueflites over 30 years. I haven't seen it. Granted if you leave full throttle in 3rd it will heat the fluid. But driving around. No issue.
Doug

 

[forphorty]

I have TA RVB in three street cars. 2 column shift , 1 slapstick. I want to get one of these gates for my slapstick. https://www.coperacingtrans.com/?product=crt-shift-r-gate-70-up-slap-stick-shifter-copy

 

[Aron Gleason]

This car has been a rmvb column shift for 25 years. Works great! Detent is gone.

View attachment 1176326

What does removing the detent do? And I'm sure it's not in the column .

 

[mopar 3 B]

And this information comes from where? Exactly how does it destroy it? I've been building Torqueflites over 30 years. I haven't seen it. Granted if you leave full throttle in 3rd it will heat the fluid. But driving around. No issue.
Doug

You really got to watch it when the converter finally locks/grabs in 3rd. I have had a few try it and almost soiled their undess.