1978 Manual Upper Shift Boot suggestions/vendor
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 945
Likes: 61
From: Palm Desert, CA
1978 Manual Upper Shift Boot suggestions/vendor
I wanted to ask if any of you have a recommendation where I can purchase a good quality Upper shift boot for my manual shifter. I believe the 1977 - 1981 use the same boot for manuals - I have a 1978 manual. I ordered one recently but after I installed the boot - it ripped not being large enough for shifting thru the manual gears. It seems like most vendors sell one boot for automatics/manual shifters and only work with automatics - boots not large enough to shift between manual gears and tears at thread.
Thank you for replies.
Thank you for replies.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,953
Likes: 4,508
From: Virginia
Which vendor?
I'd be surprised if anyone but Corvette America, and possibly Al Knoch, make them.
Mine was made by Corvette America, and sold through Top Flight Automotive. It's still doing fine, though I have a Hurst shifter in my 80.
I'd be surprised if anyone but Corvette America, and possibly Al Knoch, make them.
Mine was made by Corvette America, and sold through Top Flight Automotive. It's still doing fine, though I have a Hurst shifter in my 80.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 945
Likes: 61
From: Palm Desert, CA
Interesting - the last one I purchased was from Corvette America and it ripped. Sounds like you are having better luck with your hurst shifter - I know we have Munci Shifters in stock C3's. I will try Al Koch.
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2023
Posts: 195
Likes: 72
From: Raleigh, NC
I haven’t tried these yet but like the look and custom ability of these… Shifter handle cover
https://www.redlinegoods.com/order.php?cart=1
https://www.redlinegoods.com/order.php?cart=1
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 624
Likes: 121
I am dealing with same situation for my 69 and so would love to find a source for one that is half decent. I have purchased several from 3 different suppliers and all three have the same defect...see link to my thread below. I do not believe Al Knock sells but I may be wrong. My experience leads me to conclude that every supplier on the planet sources from the one plant in China that makes them...with the same defect.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-69-4spd.html
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...r-69-4spd.html
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 127
Likes: 14
Always check E-Bay. I got a NOS boot with some of its original GM paper still on it. I was concerned about 40+ year old leather so put on a generous amount of leather conditioner and then the hair dryer to melt it in. It has been in the car for almost 2 years and I don't drive it enough to know if it will last. It fits great though.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 945
Likes: 61
From: Palm Desert, CA
Thanks for all your replies. Crazy how so many of us are finding the same issue with C3 Manual Shift Boots. It seems like Corvette America is the sole manufacture of these boots that all the vendors sell and on EBAY. Know when I see the listing shift boot is used for both Automatics and Manuals - I know it will not fit a 4 speed and eventually tear. For heaven sakes you would think the vendors would know that by a simple quality test, the boots are not large enough to shift through gears, without tearing. I will continue to search or have one built from leather for me.
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 945
Likes: 61
From: Palm Desert, CA
So funny, I just sent a reply, maybe I need to have one manufactured. Fortunately, I have a local interior leather shop near me and will have one built as well - thanks. So sad vendors do not recognize this and should stop advertising these C3 Shift Boots - claiming they will function for manuals and automatics.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 624
Likes: 121
So funny, I just sent a reply, maybe I need to have one manufactured. Fortunately, I have a local interior leather shop near me and will have one built as well - thanks. So sad vendors do not recognize this and should stop advertising these C3 Shift Boots - claiming they will function for manuals and automatics.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,501
Likes: 1,508
From: Little Rock AR
Automatic boot used on a Tremec manual transmission. Seems like a replacement duplicate could be made from an original pattern. Be sure to fold it this way as per the AIM. It might matter. Cant hurt.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 945
Likes: 61
From: Palm Desert, CA
Wow, thank you for showing how to fold the boot. May have been a big problem for me and why it was tearing. I was pulling the boot all the way up to the stick closer to the ball.