61 Vette shifter plate too small for shifter travel
10-21-2014, 04:10 PM
#1
2nd Gear
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61 Vette shifter plate too small for shifter travel
I have just completed a rotisserie restoration on my 1961 Corvette. The problem I have encountered is that the travel of the shifter handle is too great for the opening in the console plate. I have raised the B/W T-10 about 1/4" to try to compensate, but the plate will still not accomodate the shifter handle travel. I fear raising the transmission any farther lest the angle created at the u-joints/drive-shaft would result in significant stress. Hopefully someone will have an idea which will help.
David Knight
David Knight
10-21-2014, 05:56 PM
#2
Melting Slicks
Are we assuming you have a stock transmission along with a stock shifter? Is the shifter properly adjusted around the center gate? If so, my first question would be is the hole in the tunnel in the correct spot, it is covered up by the carpet now, but did you install it or someone else?
Last edited by jrm5657; 10-21-2014 at 05:56 PM. Reason: spelling
10-21-2014, 06:08 PM
#3
Drifting
David:
I have some of the same thoughts as jrm5657. My '61 is Powerglide so my experience with that won't be much help. However, my '57 came with a Muncie transmission and a Hurst shifter. I had the transmission rebuilt but had to order a new stock shifter as well as the fiberglass transmission/floor panel and the shifter plate. If, during the restoration, you had the panel off, it may not have been installed in the correct position or the hole for the shifter may be slightly off. Also, I would consider the shifter itself. Is it new or the original?
I have some of the same thoughts as jrm5657. My '61 is Powerglide so my experience with that won't be much help. However, my '57 came with a Muncie transmission and a Hurst shifter. I had the transmission rebuilt but had to order a new stock shifter as well as the fiberglass transmission/floor panel and the shifter plate. If, during the restoration, you had the panel off, it may not have been installed in the correct position or the hole for the shifter may be slightly off. Also, I would consider the shifter itself. Is it new or the original?
10-22-2014, 10:26 AM
#4
Team Owner
I ran the stock T-10 in my '61 and now a Tremec 5-speed; in neither case is the console opening an issue vis a vis shifter travel. You have something going on - but I would not mess with the tranny height anymore either...you can cause undue stress with the C1s already severe drive shaft angles...
Before anything else, make sure your shifter isn't a sloppy mess and requiring excessive "throw" to shift gears.
Otherwise, remove the screws and ash tray from the console, move it back and forth and see if there is a 'sweet spot' where the shifter's range can be accommodated; if so and it doesn't look bad I'd just screw the console down in that spot and, if needed, trim the ash tray fiberglass opening below the console for a good fit and keep on truckin'.
You could even cut the bottom off the ash tray if necessary - who smokes in their classic Corvette anyway ?
Before anything else, make sure your shifter isn't a sloppy mess and requiring excessive "throw" to shift gears.
Otherwise, remove the screws and ash tray from the console, move it back and forth and see if there is a 'sweet spot' where the shifter's range can be accommodated; if so and it doesn't look bad I'd just screw the console down in that spot and, if needed, trim the ash tray fiberglass opening below the console for a good fit and keep on truckin'.
You could even cut the bottom off the ash tray if necessary - who smokes in their classic Corvette anyway ?
Last edited by Frankie the Fink; 10-22-2014 at 10:52 AM.
10-22-2014, 12:16 PM
#5
Melting Slicks
Any chance your body is too high or the tail end of the trans is too low? Something is not right here.
Fellow SACC member here in Lakeland is finishing up a 3 yr restoration where they actually raised the body , went to side mounts, Steeroids, and more. Hood clearance issues was a reason for raising the body using hockey pucks. I told them they would probably have shifter opening issues, and they did which was resolved by raising end of the tail housing. Driveshaft angles are reportedly acceptable, and car should be on road shortly to confirm.
Another local car was a 58 which had same problem. Turns out car had homemade motor mounts and they ended up raising the tail end of the trans to correct.
Fellow SACC member here in Lakeland is finishing up a 3 yr restoration where they actually raised the body , went to side mounts, Steeroids, and more. Hood clearance issues was a reason for raising the body using hockey pucks. I told them they would probably have shifter opening issues, and they did which was resolved by raising end of the tail housing. Driveshaft angles are reportedly acceptable, and car should be on road shortly to confirm.
Another local car was a 58 which had same problem. Turns out car had homemade motor mounts and they ended up raising the tail end of the trans to correct.
10-22-2014, 04:00 PM
#6
2nd Gear
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'61 shifter plateopening too small
Are we assuming you have a stock transmission along with a stock shifter? Is the shifter properly adjusted around the center gate? If so, my first question would be is the hole in the tunnel in the correct spot, it is covered up by the carpet now, but did you install it or someone else?
FYI: We have uninstalled and reinstalled the transmission three times. The gentleman working with me is a mechanical engineer who originally designed and built transmissions for/with Borg-Warner. Everything works except the console plate won't accommodate the shifter throw. Frustration!!! Thanks for your ideas.
10-22-2014, 05:06 PM
#7
Melting Slicks
So why does the ash try hole not line up properly. That tells me that the hole or the shifter plate is not in the right spot. Pictures would certainly help in the diagnosis!!!
