4-speed shifter question
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,601
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From: BETHEL PARK PENNSYLVANIA
4-speed shifter question
just picked up a 79, and there is alot of slop in the stock shifter. is there a rebuild kit? any tricks to get this thing out of the car?
thanks
vc
thanks
vc
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
Hurst?
I had the same problem and installed a Hurst shifter (purchased through Eckler's). It costs $120 more then a stock replacement shifter and $240 more than a linkage kit, but I'm glad I spent the extra $$ for Hurst.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: BETHEL PARK PENNSYLVANIA
8th Gear
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 8
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From: Austin Tx
It's not easy but I did one about 4 years ago. Don't quite remember but I think I had to remove shifter linkage arms, and then remove bolts from the shifter to the mounting plate that bolts to the crossmember.
Getting out was easier than going back in but I did it. Then it wasn't adjusted right so I had to do it over again to get it adjusted right. lol
Getting out was easier than going back in but I did it. Then it wasn't adjusted right so I had to do it over again to get it adjusted right. lol
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Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I thought 79 were bolted in. Sorry to here their not. You can get up there to get the three bolts out but it is going to tuff. You might try removing to the top console and then remove the rubber boot attached to the tunnel. Then remove shifter bolts from top.
My 2 cents worth!!!
My 2 cents worth!!!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 9,429
Likes: 44
From: Macon, GA
It's not easy but I did one about 4 years ago. Don't quite remember but I think I had to remove shifter linkage arms, and then remove bolts from the shifter to the mounting plate that bolts to the crossmember.
Getting out was easier than going back in but I did it. Then it wasn't adjusted right so I had to do it over again to get it adjusted right. lol
Getting out was easier than going back in but I did it. Then it wasn't adjusted right so I had to do it over again to get it adjusted right. lol
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 1,601
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From: BETHEL PARK PENNSYLVANIA
That's right. I did mine just yesterday. I did not remove the arms from the shifter though. I took the arms off the trans and let them hang there while I took out the bolts that hold the shifter to the transmission. Remove the shifter ball and reverse tab and then just pull everything down throught the boots. Pretty simple.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 19,344
Likes: 654
From: Tampa, Florida
Seriously, I was under my car today evaluating things and it looks tight...too tight.
Any more tips on working around the welded crossmember and exhaust?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,883
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From: North Easton Mass
Rick B.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2005
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From: BETHEL PARK PENNSYLVANIA
I had a lot of play in the 72 shifter and it turned out to be the E-clip at the end of the linkage. Take a mirror and look at the left end of the piece that runs through the linkage. If the E-clip is bent or missing you can get one for less than a quarter at a hardware store. My linkage tightened up to probably factory spec when I replaced the bent/almost falling out clip. From what I have read on the forum a Hurst shifter is a great improvement but they cost more than $.25.
Rick B.
Rick B.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
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From: North Easton Mass
No. The rod that holds everything together up top. The shifter and all of the plates that actuate the rods. I only had a little play but it translated into a large amount of slop in the shifter mechanism. I had to squeeze the mechanism together with a Vice Grip and slip the new E-clip into the groove at the end of the rod. You can get to it by removing the shifter boot.
Rick B.
Rick B.
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Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,802
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From: Wichita KS
Remove the arms from the transmission not the rods from the shifter.
My 72 shifter was held to a shifter mounting plate with one long bolt and two short ones.
The shifter mounting plate was held to the cross member by 4 bolts.
The cross member is welded in on all C3 4 speed cars and bolted on automatics according to the Corvette 1968-1982 Restoration Guide.
If you have a set of gear wrenches it is very helpful for tight spaces.
cc
Last edited by CCrane65; Mar 13, 2007 at 10:27 PM.
