I pulled my factory shifter, cleaned it all up, squared it and switched the linkage to short shift. Night and day - it's like a rifle bolt now and I am very happy with it.

But that spring in the shifter for the reverse lockout shaft rattles a bit under acceleration and I just can't seem to stop it from doing that. New spring, stretched it a bit. Just when I think I 'got it' it rattles a bit more. I just turn the stereo up. Am I alone in this or have I missed a small part somewhere?

Also just a general comment.

Dropped my 'vette off for a state inspection and a front end alignment. It sat until the very end of the day but was ready at 5 and it's fine. When I drove it home I had a long sleeve shirt on. Jumped in it yesterday for the first time since with a t-shirt on and immediately felt the two inch razor slice in the armrest right where my left elbow sits. Didn't feel it the first time around and saying anything to that place is pointless. Probably a simple mistake, maybe he never noticed but you'd have to know the owner - I don't need that bad noise and will just file this away. For a roll up inspection that I am standing there for he's been fine and in convenient. After that now .......I dunno quite what to think.

I suppose I should be more upset but just can't bring myself to get into it with them. They are door cards repros from 1981, not original - but they didn't have any slices in them until now. Had this happened in the shop where I knew the guy for 40 years ( he retired) the man probably would have handed me a 69 door card from his own stash, because he has one.

 

Have you temporarily removed the spring and possibly the T handle to see if you still have the noise?

 

No, honestly I haven't removed them at all while driving it but have had it in/out several times.

When it does that I can lightly touch the t-handle and it stops. Nothing in here but the t-handle shaft and that spring so they aren't happy together, if ever so slightly. I was wondering if this was more common or not.

This is very minor and I'm thankful to finally get to that part of The List .......

 

I think mine had a small plastic washer underneath the handle so it rides on the plastic washer.

 

If you put a single wrap of electrical tape around the spring, would that stop the rattle?