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4 speed shifter 1975 Replace? Rebuild?

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Old Aug 22, 2015 | 07:40 PM
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Default 4 speed shifter 1975 Replace? Rebuild?

Just installed a used 4 speed shifter. It's in but will soon come out. It's usable, but it's not fun shifting. Hard to get in 1st, hard to get in reverse- Sloppy is the word. The usual slop when a shifter outlived its life span. Once it's out of 1st it goes through the gears, but once stopped, and it has to go back into 1st, that's where the problem is. Then there's reverse.

New ones go for around $200. I'm following one on the auction site selling for $100, and rebuild kits sell for around $60. I plan on keeping the car so I'm leaning towards a new replacement shifter.

Any thoughts? Thank you.
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Old Aug 22, 2015 | 09:00 PM
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I bought a new kit for mine which was $250 for everything.

All new paws, rods etc were replaced with no issues with the install.
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 09:36 AM
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Originally Posted by ddawson
I bought a new kit for mine which was $250 for everything.

All new paws, rods etc were replaced with no issues with the install.
Thanks. Which kit, or do you have a link to the shifter?
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 11:15 AM
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I bought the one from Corvette Central.

I will add after getting it all adjusted I removed it and went with the Hurst. It felt just as sloppy as the original.
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 11:23 AM
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Default 4 speed shifter 1975 Replace? Rebuild?

I've been contemplating one of the $60 rebuild kits. I'd be interested in hearing from someone that has gone that route.
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 11:24 AM
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Originally Posted by ddawson
I bought the one from Corvette Central.

I will add after getting it all adjusted I removed it and went with the Hurst. It felt just as sloppy as the original.
Thanks, but I was referring to the Hurst. Which kit did you get and from where, may I ask?
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 11:28 AM
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Originally Posted by Iceaxe
I've been contemplating one of the $60 rebuild kits. I'd be interested in hearing from someone that has gone that route.
I can't help but wonder if it's even possible to breathe new life into a 40 year old worn out shifter, enough to really make a difference.
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 11:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Iceaxe
I've been contemplating one of the $60 rebuild kits. I'd be interested in hearing from someone that has gone that route.
I bought the $60 rebuild kit last fall. It made a marginal difference. I could see wear on the stick, portion which engages the shifter gates. I squeezed the box a bit in a vice while I had it apart, installed the slightly thicker piece (don't recall the proper name for the part, there were 2 which could be used.). My shifter is probably close to how it was new. I doubt it could ever feel as solid as a Hurst. The $60 kit is OK for freshening. I'm not familiar with the $250 kit, don't know what parts are included which are not in the $60 kit.
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 03:18 PM
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Default 4 speed shifter 1975 Replace? Rebuild?

Originally Posted by BBCorv70
I bought the $60 rebuild kit last fall. It made a marginal difference. I could see wear on the stick, portion which engages the shifter gates. I squeezed the box a bit in a vice while I had it apart, installed the slightly thicker piece (don't recall the proper name for the part, there were 2 which could be used.). My shifter is probably close to how it was new. I doubt it could ever feel as solid as a Hurst. The $60 kit is OK for freshening.
Is the rebuild kit straight forward? Or have any tips or tricks to speed things up? $60 isn't much to pay if it does a descent job of freashing up the stock shifter.
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Old Aug 23, 2015 | 03:54 PM
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Originally Posted by Iceaxe
Is the rebuild kit straight forward? Or have any tips or tricks to speed things up? $60 isn't much to pay if it does a descent job of freashing up the stock shifter.
It's pretty easy to do. I recommend taking lots of photos before and during dis-assembly so you'll have something to refer to when you have questions on orientation.

Cleaning all the parts, and re-lubing helps. The stock shifter was never as solid or smooth as a Hurst. I basically tightened the side to side play of the linkage arms and got it a bit smoother with new grease.
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Old Aug 24, 2015 | 10:25 AM
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Originally Posted by Iceaxe
I've been contemplating one of the $60 rebuild kits. I'd be interested in hearing from someone that has gone that route.
I'll be ordering the rebuild kit this week. I'll let you know how it pans out if you're interested.
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Old Aug 24, 2015 | 10:43 AM
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Default Both.

Originally Posted by cor66vette
Just installed a used 4 speed shifter. It's in but will soon come out. It's usable, but it's not fun shifting. Hard to get in 1st, hard to get in reverse- Sloppy is the word. The usual slop when a shifter outlived its life span. Once it's out of 1st it goes through the gears, but once stopped, and it has to go back into 1st, that's where the problem is. Then there's reverse.

New ones go for around $200. I'm following one on the auction site selling for $100, and rebuild kits sell for around $60. I plan on keeping the car so I'm leaning towards a new replacement shifter.

Any thoughts? Thank you.
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buy a replacement shifter, and rebuild the current one. Are you sure shifting issues aren't a clutch pushrod adjustment? If doesnt disengage fully, will go into gear very hard. Shut it off. If goes right into gear, that is probably it.
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Old Aug 24, 2015 | 12:05 PM
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Originally Posted by derekderek
buy a replacement shifter, and rebuild the current one. Are you sure shifting issues aren't a clutch pushrod adjustment? If doesnt disengage fully, will go into gear very hard. Shut it off. If goes right into gear, that is probably it.
You can see the slop in the shifter. From all I hear, it's pretty common to have to rebuild a 40 years old factory shifter. There's no grinding going into gear, so I don't think it's a clutch adjustment issue. There's a new clutch in, and all new adjustments there.
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