Shift plate and boot fit problem.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 24,125
Likes: 15
From: Columbia Missouri
Shift plate and boot fit problem.
I will likely have to modify the metal surround on one of my boots but I really hate to do that.
I ordered a new re-pop shifter plate for my '77 Corvette. I had the stock shift boot with metal surround and a new re-pop I ordered a few years ago that I had never installed.
The old shift plate was thrown away long ago.
The new shift boot metal surround is too big for the opening on the shift plate, both in length and width.
I tried the old stock one and it's too big too. In fact the new shift boot was the exact same size as the old one so the issue here is the shifter plate. The opening is just too small.
I can't cut material out to make room for the metal surround because I'll lose the screw locations. My only option it to cut the surround on all four sides and installing it that way.
I don't want to try to order a new shift boot as I'm worried it'll be the stock size too and won't fit.
BTW - All parts ordered were for a 1977 Vette specifically.
I ordered a new re-pop shifter plate for my '77 Corvette. I had the stock shift boot with metal surround and a new re-pop I ordered a few years ago that I had never installed.
The old shift plate was thrown away long ago.
The new shift boot metal surround is too big for the opening on the shift plate, both in length and width.
I tried the old stock one and it's too big too. In fact the new shift boot was the exact same size as the old one so the issue here is the shifter plate. The opening is just too small.
I can't cut material out to make room for the metal surround because I'll lose the screw locations. My only option it to cut the surround on all four sides and installing it that way.
I don't want to try to order a new shift boot as I'm worried it'll be the stock size too and won't fit.
BTW - All parts ordered were for a 1977 Vette specifically.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 413
Likes: 0
From: Cohutta GA
When I was replacing my 73 boot the metal surround was too tight and the screw holes did not line up. I had to do some slight modifications (aka bubbafications) which included drilling new holes and cutting the metal. PITA but the finished product looked nice. Just take your time.
Navigator
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Florida
im having the exact same problem on my 77 , i have what looks like the original plate on there and the boot i ordered from ecklers was too big. the tech guy said the car might have a 1976 plate installed based on the dimensions of the plate opening that i gave him.so instead of checking to see what style the plate is (turns out its a 77 like it should be) just ordered the 1976 boot, i just got it in and its alot closer but like 1/8" too wide on the top and the overall length is about 1/2" too short, so i just sent another email to ecklers tech dept trying to figure out what the deal is,i could modify this one to work but i would rather not if i didnt have to. what did you end up doing DB?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,481
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Last edited by Easy Mike; Dec 10, 2012 at 04:17 PM.
