Shifter Reverse Lockout Return Spring Question
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 924
Likes: 468
From: Brentwood CA
Shifter Reverse Lockout Return Spring Question
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.
Thanks,
-Doug
Thanks,
-Doug
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 22,192
Likes: 4,180
From: Kannapolis NC
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.
Last edited by 65GGvert; Oct 24, 2016 at 11:30 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 19,294
Likes: 2,754
From: Charlotte NC
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.
DUB
DUB
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 10,343
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From: Beverly Hills (Pine Ridge) Florida
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.
Plasticman
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.
Plasticman
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 924
Likes: 468
From: Brentwood CA
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?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 58,061
Likes: 7,146
Army
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)...
"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)...
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
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)...
"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; Oct 25, 2016 at 02:10 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
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
As for commenting on the unique wording used in this thread...I just can't do it....I WANT TO...but can't.
DUB
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 3,881
Likes: 1,283
From: Horsham Pa
C2 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
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.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,472
Likes: 2,647
From: Really Central IL Illinois
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
As for commenting on the unique wording used in this thread...I just can't do it....I WANT TO...but can't.
DUB
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.
P.S. I had to help you out.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
That "****"
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,115
Likes: 196
From: Wilton Ca.
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
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; Oct 25, 2016 at 10:41 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2009
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From: Charlotte NC
DUB
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 784
From: Scottsdale Arizona
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.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2014
Posts: 924
Likes: 468
From: Brentwood CA
-Doug
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 7,472
Likes: 2,647
From: Really Central IL Illinois
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.
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.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,600
Likes: 784
From: Scottsdale Arizona
BigCityCorvettes on ebay.
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