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On my '65, ~3/8" of the return spring is exposed. Is this correct (see pics)? It was like this when I bought the car. Functionally it works just fine. The spring is totally concealed on my '69 shifter.
No it's not normal. The spring should go up into the hollow in the ball. If you aren't careful, you'll pinch sections of skin out of your fingers with that. The ball should screw down and cover that gap.
I am wondering. If you took the ball off and then removed the spring...and then threaded the ball back on. Does the ball actually thread down that same as when it has the spring in it or does it go further down.
I can make out the line on the shaft where the ball use to be screwed down to (about 1/4" below where the spring is).
My guess is that the spring has been distorted and compressed, and does not sit fully in the pocket. Try unscrewing the ball (releasing the compression on the spring), and then reinsert the spring (uncompressed) and see if it will go further down into the pocket.
Thanks for the input gentlemen. Here are a few more photos. The first shot shows the gap with the ball installed without the spring. Maybe the hole in the ball isn't deep enough?
Well something is certainly mismatched there regardless of the spring...wrong ball mebbe ??
"Bad Frank" on left shoulder wants to take a cutting wheel and knock of a few threads of the shaft but "Good Frank" on my right shoulder says it might be an original piece and you're ruining it.
Bottom line check your ball and look for a deeper hole (no jokes please)...
Well something is certainly mismatched there regardless of the spring...wrong ball mebbe ??
"Bad Frank" on left shoulder wants to take a cutting wheel and knock of a few threads of the shaft but "Good Frank" on my right shoulder says it might be an original piece and you're ruining it.
Bottom line check your ball and look for a deeper hole (no jokes please)...
Frankie,
It's actually referred to as a "****". Of course, I'm sure at least SOMEONE will find that reference funny as well.
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; 10-25-2016 at 02:10 PM.
I do not know if I am having a 'brain fart'...but something is telling me that I have seen the spring actually fit inside the small hole inside the threaded tube....and the spring not be on the outside of threads.
As for commenting on the unique wording used in this thread...I just can't do it....I WANT TO...but can't.
Are you sure it is a 64-67 shifter and not a later one with the older reverse lock out? Show a picture of the shifter where the handle meets the base of the shifter.
I do not know if I am having a 'brain fart'...but something is telling me that I have seen the spring actually fit inside the small hole inside the threaded tube....and the spring not be on the outside of threads.
As for commenting on the unique wording used in this thread...I just can't do it....I WANT TO...but can't.
DUB
DUB, Frankie is waiting for one of us to reply so he can compare the number of ***** to number of *****.
Quite "FRANKLY, I count the ***** on the dash and hope for only one chrome BALL/****, or whatever to grab on the shift lever.
As for the OP's problem, R66 has a lock nut on the shifter to lock the BALL/**** in place which I believe goes directly under the BALL/**** (don't know what else to call it at this point). The thickness is about equal to the exposed spring that will BITE YOUR FINGERS (don't let Frankie ask how I know).
Soooow, I'll be following this to find out the exact configuration of the spring, lock nut, and BALL/**** assembly.
That's not the right ball. They should look like this except chrome for 66.
That "****" doesn't look right. It not only isn't deep enough but, whatever that is down inside shouldn't be there. A new correct one will run you about $20.00+shipping.
I do not know if I am having a 'brain fart'...but something is telling me that I have seen the spring actually fit inside the small hole inside the threaded tube....and the spring not be on the outside of threads.
As for commenting on the unique wording used in this thread...I just can't do it....I WANT TO...but can't.
DUB
Well DUB, without looking at the AIM, that "item" is referred to as a "****" in every catalog I've seen including L.I. corvette.
I believe the spring is in the correct position, he just needs the correct ****!
Gary
Last edited by Gary's '66; 10-25-2016 at 10:41 PM.
Well DUB, without looking at the AIM, that "item" is referred to as a "****" in every catalog I've seen including L.I. corvette.
I believe the spring is in the correct position, he just needs the correct ****!
Gary
I am totally fine with the words being used and how they can be 'played' with...regardless if you use 'ball' or '****'. SO....( I am jumping into the abyss fellas) and if feel that the problem with the '****' is that no one has polished that '****' in a while.
I am totally fine with the words being used and how they can be 'played' with...regardless if you use 'ball' or '****'. SO....( I am jumping into the abyss fellas) and if feel that the problem with the '****' is that no one has polished that '****' in a while.
DUB
I am working on the same problem and my spring is the same size but it does not work when I put in the spring, were you able to figure it out.
I had this problem on R66. Removed the **** and found the spring and a lock nut. Removed the lock nut and reinstalled the spring and ****. It no longer has the gap to bite fingers.
Tried reassembling it with the locknut, but couldn't find a way without leaving the gap. The locknut is in the box of original parts. Don't know why as the suppliers all show the locknut for replacement shifters.
Thanks for the input gentlemen. Here are a few more photos. The first shot shows the gap with the ball installed without the spring. Maybe the hole in the ball isn't deep enough?
I finally figured it out, you need to buy the smaller spring that fits into the shaft and that will fix the problem. The ball does not matter at all and I used a spring from a 68-81 that I bought from
BigCityCorvettes on ebay.
10-24-2016, 11:26 AM
Shifter Reverse Lockout Return Spring Question
That "****" 
Well DUB, without looking at the AIM, that "item" is referred to as a "****" in every catalog I've seen including L.I. corvette. 
