When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.
Car has been kicking out of all forward gears, so was under to look at the shifter adjustment. Noticed this pin sticking out about 3/4 inch between the shift levers. Pushed it and it went in about 1/2 inch and seems to have locked into place, but still sticking out a little. What is it? What does it do??
It's the pivot and hold down for "detent" levers inside the cover. The levers are spring loaded and lightly hold the shifters (the lugs that move the dog rings to engage the synchros) in forward, center and back positions.
IDK if it is supposed to move out, (don't think so), but the reason it has the 'hat' on it is that on early Muncies, that pin would fall out inside the transmission, and if you were lucky, not get caught in between two gear teeth.
I believe there is a snap ring on the inside of that pin to retain the levers that prevent double gear engagement. Strongly recommend you remove the side plate and investigate.
I finally see it in the Chassis Service Manual on page 7-19. With it being as far out as I first saw it, I would be concerned that both detent cams may have fallen off. The pin did completely seat with a bit more pressure.
So, working under the car (up on Quick Jacks) how difficult is it to reinstall the cover and get the shift forks in proper position? Or, does the transmission have to come out of the car to do it right?
The pin is held in place with a E-clip, if the pin has moved out buy 1/2 inch the combs must have fallen off. I don't think you will do much with the trans in the car, usually the side cover and selector forks are assembled, then lowered into position. No room to do this with the trans in the car.
If your pivot pin was out 3/4," the detent cams are no longer pivoting on the pin and the retainer ring and possibly cams and spring are loose in the transmission. I also doubt you'll be able to remove and reinstall the side cover with the trans in the car. Here's another pic of (of mine) showing what the assembly looks like from the inside. Looks like the trans will have to come out for the repair. It's really not that hard of a job if you have the time and patience. Good luck.
I just replaced a side cover on a 65 Corvette. I did it with the transmission in the car at a friends house without my lift. It takes some patients but it can be done. I even had to dig my fingers through the gear oil to find the other side of his pin. Just make sure you have all of the parts that may have fallen off. If you have side pipes you do not have to take the driver side pipe off if you have underneath the car exhaust you must remove the front exhaust pipe which you would have to do to pull the transmission anyway. Put the transmission in second gear to put it back together.
Last edited by 65 Pro Vette; 05-15-2019 at 04:42 PM.
I've done the side cover R&R more than once on my GTO's, where there is a ton of room. I could do it on my '61. Not sure about the later Sting-Rays. I DO know that that missing E-clip is spring steel, and very hard, and NOT what you want running through your geartrain. The spring as well. Remove the trans and fish the stuff out with a magnet and do it once and do it right. I feel your pain. I am currently undergoing the Borg Warner Blues with my own Corvette, and the hits keep on coming.
Thanks to all for the very helpful replies. Not looking forward to removing the transmission but that is the route I'll take.
I'm going to go to the beach for 10 days and forget about this until I come back.
Thanks,
Ralph
I would try to put it in second gear and remove the side plate on the car before I pulled the transmission. If the detent cams have come off inside and it won't go into second and allow the plate to be removed then look at pulling the transmission. But you can also look at removing the nuts on the shift levers and leaving the forks, detent cams, everything hanging in the case to be fished out after the side plate is off. Then reassemble the side plate, move the synchronizer slider to engage 2nd gear and put the whole thing back together.
This is a pic showing the last post instructions, I've rebuilt my box a few weeks ago and I doubt there is enough room to do this with the box in the car....but nothing to lose trying.
You can do it in the car, but it depends on the car and one's ability to understand how things work. The hat pin should have no in an out movement at all.
Some side cover and building tips are in this Youtube video at about 16 minutes into it:
Finally got the transmission out after much swearing and thoughts of just setting fire to the whole thing...
Throw out bearing appears to have been installed incorrectly:
Removed the side cover - Chipping around pin. Pin groove has some aluminum flake in it.
Damage closeup
Side Cover
Have not yet found the E-clip from the end of the pin or the spring, Need to drain the gear oil which I suspect is a synthetic. Gears look good.
The side cover appears to have cracking around the shaft areas - opinions on whether these will be a problem solicited.
Those 'cracks' look like casting lines/flaws to me. I wouldn't worry about them. You MAY be able to fish the clip and spring out of the case with a magnet. Would be a huge time-saver.
05-15-2019, 12:13 PM
Muncie 4 spd - What is this pin?
