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[C2] Shifter

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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 09:45 AM
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Just got a new to me early '63 convertible with a Borg Warner T-10 transmission. I noticed that the shifter seems really sloppy when going thru the gears. Especially when compared to my '66 SB. Is this the way they are, or should I think about rebuilding it?

Regards,
Jerry
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 09:50 AM
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I'd go under there ad make sure the linkage is tight and correct first.
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 10:52 AM
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Just curious, does the shifter for the Muncie look like the BW in 63?
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 10:57 AM
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IIRC, '63 shift linkage doesn't have a short throw setting in the 1-2 and 3-4 shift levers bolted to the transmission. Your '66 may have those and the rods are set in the short throw holes.
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 05:33 PM
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I am aware of the short shift option on the Muncies, but the '63 is very much worse than the stock '66. I can hardly tell if the reverse lockout is engaged properly when shifting into reverse.

Frankie mentioned checking out the linkage, but I am not really sure what to look for or do to accomplish this.

Regards,
Jerry
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Old Jan 29, 2021 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by gjesion
I am aware of the short shift option on the Muncies, but the '63 is very much worse than the stock '66. I can hardly tell if the reverse lockout is engaged properly when shifting into reverse.

Frankie mentioned checking out the linkage, but I am not really sure what to look for or do to accomplish this.

Regards,
Jerry
I would just get under there with a good light, and using your hands wiggle all the shift rods and levers to see if there's any play in them, or wallowed out holes in the levers, loose nuts on the shift arms, or at the shifter levers. move them every which way to check for play. Not really rocket science.
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 12:48 AM
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Also check what is being used to hold the shifter arms and rods together. Some times they use cotter pins that are to small. There is a circlip that works much better. Made from spring steel.
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 05:20 AM
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By design, I don't believe a '63 shifter will feel as solid or robust as a '64-'65 shifter. Not saying this is what is different in this case, just saying.............
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 08:05 AM
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Originally Posted by MikeM
By design, I don't believe a '63 shifter will feel as solid or robust as a '64-'65 shifter. Not saying this is what is different in this case, just saying.............
This^ and you can get a ballpark feel for the amount of slop in the linkage without even getting under the car. The shifter will move a bit when the trans is in any forward gear. The lever on the transmission won't, its held in position by detents inside the trans side cover. Any shifter handle free movement is because of linkage slop. If its a lot, you're getting under the car to tighten things up.

That said, and at the risk of getting hammered again, yes, check the obvious stuff, but often the answer is the craptastic feel is just the way some of these antique things are. My car has a Hurst shifter. Pretty tight as these things go. It was off the road for a year and a half, and the DD was an 03 Cobra with an MGW shifter. You haven't felt short throw until you've driven one. Getting back in the vette after all that time, the feeling of the shifter was a total shock. It was like a boat oar. These are 60 year old antiques. Sometimes they just feel sloppy even when everything is in spec.
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 10:57 AM
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Yep, and the predecessor was “three on a tree”. Now there is some vague feel!
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 11:09 AM
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Originally Posted by gjesion
Just got a new to me early '63 convertible with a Borg Warner T-10 transmission. I noticed that the shifter seems really sloppy when going thru the gears. Especially when compared to my '66 SB. Is this the way they are, or should I think about rebuilding it?

Regards,
Jerry
A '63 shifter in good condition is not sloppy at all. Odds favor your shifter being simply worn out. The good news is that the reproduction shifters are excellent and I recommend them.
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Old Jan 30, 2021 | 02:52 PM
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I agree with Jim.
My 63 BW T-10 shifter had worn rods. I bought new replacements and readjusted them. Turned out great. I had intended to replace with a Hurst Comp +.
But it turned out so well I stayed stock.
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