Shifter problem
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Glendale California
Shifter problem
I have a late 65 coupe with 4 speed transmission. When the engine is cold it is very easy to shift gears. At that time it is a pleasure to drive the car. When the engine warms or heats up, I have to fight and struggle with the shifter to switch gears. I have had the transmission serviced and the oil changed and the guy who took it apart said that there was nothing wrong with it. I had the entire clutch assembly changed also. The car also does not have the original shifter, instead it has an aftermarket Hurst shifter. Could that be the problem?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,009
Likes: 1,518
From: Prescott Arizona
I have a Hurst shifter in my 65 Coupe and haven't found them to be any more problematic than a stock Muncie shifter as long as they're adjusted properly. There are a number of areas to check that might affect shifting quality but the fact that it seems to get worse when the drivetrain is warmed up is a bit different.
Just so I understand the sequence, did this clutch replacement and trans inspection take place before or after the shifting issues began?
When you said the trans has been inspected, does that mean taking off the side cover and looking in or a full disassembly of the internals?
Are you still using the stock aluminum bellhousing? If it's an aftermarket housing, was the 'concentricity' of the crankshaft flange
to the trans snout opening in the bellhousing checked? I've heard the stock GM housings are less prone to misalignment in this area compared to aftermarket versions but it's still a good practice to check it before assembling things.
As to the Hurst shifter, is it new to the car and when it was installed was the 'neutral gate' adjustment done with the 1/4-inch diameter pin?
Is the poor shifting issue common to all gears?
Just so I understand the sequence, did this clutch replacement and trans inspection take place before or after the shifting issues began?
When you said the trans has been inspected, does that mean taking off the side cover and looking in or a full disassembly of the internals?
Are you still using the stock aluminum bellhousing? If it's an aftermarket housing, was the 'concentricity' of the crankshaft flange
to the trans snout opening in the bellhousing checked? I've heard the stock GM housings are less prone to misalignment in this area compared to aftermarket versions but it's still a good practice to check it before assembling things.
As to the Hurst shifter, is it new to the car and when it was installed was the 'neutral gate' adjustment done with the 1/4-inch diameter pin?
Is the poor shifting issue common to all gears?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 93
Likes: 0
From: Glendale California
Happy New Year!!
Thank you all for the quick reply. I have had the shifter problem since I got the car 7 months ago. The shifter just wont go into gear from Neutral. You have to force it into gear. The worse time is when you are sitting at a stoplight and everyone starts honking at you when the light turns green. I am attaching some pictures taken at the mechanic shop. The bell housing is the stock original. The transmission was taken out and sent to AAMCO (chain trany shops) and came back nicely painted. I just dont know if they did anything else to it. They said that the syncronizers where all OK but one, and they changed that one. I am going to take the car to a Corvette specialist in Encino CA. I am not sure of that either, just got the info from a friend of mine. He said that he took his 68 Camaro there and the guy knew his stuff. Anyway, thanx everyone for your continued support and Happy New Year to All ( God Bless).
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=8ayl85w&s=1
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=71vw1on&s=1
Thank you all for the quick reply. I have had the shifter problem since I got the car 7 months ago. The shifter just wont go into gear from Neutral. You have to force it into gear. The worse time is when you are sitting at a stoplight and everyone starts honking at you when the light turns green. I am attaching some pictures taken at the mechanic shop. The bell housing is the stock original. The transmission was taken out and sent to AAMCO (chain trany shops) and came back nicely painted. I just dont know if they did anything else to it. They said that the syncronizers where all OK but one, and they changed that one. I am going to take the car to a Corvette specialist in Encino CA. I am not sure of that either, just got the info from a friend of mine. He said that he took his 68 Camaro there and the guy knew his stuff. Anyway, thanx everyone for your continued support and Happy New Year to All ( God Bless).
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=8ayl85w&s=1
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=71vw1on&s=1
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 6,009
Likes: 1,518
From: Prescott Arizona
Something sounds odd here. You're saying they rebuilt your trans but only replaced 'one' synchro? The typical small parts kit's contain all the needle bearings, front and rear bearings and all new synchro's, seals, etc. Since the box would have to be completely pulled down anyway, why would they not install all the new parts?
As the previous response mentioned, why not at least verify your clutch release linkage first before tearing the rest apart.
As the previous response mentioned, why not at least verify your clutch release linkage first before tearing the rest apart.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 11,049
Likes: 2,593
From: Del Boca Vista FL
[QUOTE=Vet65te;1563405059]Something sounds odd here. You're saying they rebuilt your trans but only replaced 'one' synchro? The typical small parts kit's contain all the needle bearings, front and rear bearings and all new synchro's, seals, etc. Since the box would have to be completely pulled down anyway, why would they not install all the new parts?
They would not install all new synchro blocking rings because they are AAMCO and they should NEVER have their hands inside a standard transmission.
The shifter mechanism, if properly adjusted as previously stated by Vet65te, is not the problem. Sounds like clutch not fully
releasing as all gears are difficult to engage.
Rich
They would not install all new synchro blocking rings because they are AAMCO and they should NEVER have their hands inside a standard transmission.
The shifter mechanism, if properly adjusted as previously stated by Vet65te, is not the problem. Sounds like clutch not fully
releasing as all gears are difficult to engage.Rich
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Race Director
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 15,837
Likes: 90
From: Fairfield, VA
Throwout bearing.. Like said, If you can shut the car off, then shift it into gear, the clutch is still spinning. My only problem is that it should go into 2nd, 3rd, 4th no problem at all. You should even be able to shift into 2, 3 or 4 w/o even using the clutch. (NOT recommending it, but you can).
Mark
Mark
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 6,363
Likes: 429
From: Seattle Area WA
As a suggestion, since you are in Glendale, the only Corvette specific shop I would take it to would be Dick Guldstrand's in Burbank, they know Corvettes.
Happy New Year!!
Thank you all for the quick reply. I have had the shifter problem since I got the car 7 months ago. The shifter just wont go into gear from Neutral. You have to force it into gear. The worse time is when you are sitting at a stoplight and everyone starts honking at you when the light turns green. I am attaching some pictures taken at the mechanic shop. The bell housing is the stock original. The transmission was taken out and sent to AAMCO (chain trany shops) and came back nicely painted. I just dont know if they did anything else to it. They said that the syncronizers where all OK but one, and they changed that one. I am going to take the car to a Corvette specialist in Encino CA. I am not sure of that either, just got the info from a friend of mine. He said that he took his 68 Camaro there and the guy knew his stuff. Anyway, thanx everyone for your continued support and Happy New Year to All ( God Bless).
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=8ayl85w&s=1
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=71vw1on&s=1
Thank you all for the quick reply. I have had the shifter problem since I got the car 7 months ago. The shifter just wont go into gear from Neutral. You have to force it into gear. The worse time is when you are sitting at a stoplight and everyone starts honking at you when the light turns green. I am attaching some pictures taken at the mechanic shop. The bell housing is the stock original. The transmission was taken out and sent to AAMCO (chain trany shops) and came back nicely painted. I just dont know if they did anything else to it. They said that the syncronizers where all OK but one, and they changed that one. I am going to take the car to a Corvette specialist in Encino CA. I am not sure of that either, just got the info from a friend of mine. He said that he took his 68 Camaro there and the guy knew his stuff. Anyway, thanx everyone for your continued support and Happy New Year to All ( God Bless).
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=8ayl85w&s=1
http://tinypic.com/view.php?pic=71vw1on&s=1