I have the trans out and installed it this morning. It does not take very long at all. Here a some pics and notes I took. The first is just the piece that Keisler sent to me. This does away with the roll pin holding the shifter in.



After removing the sheet metal cover for the shifter you just tap out the small roll pin



Then undo the two bolts that hold the shifter assembly on and remove the shifter assembly.



You then remove the 4 bolts and 1 countersunk bolt that holds the plate on and this will expose the arm that needs to be removed.
You can see the pin that needs to be removed next. Push the lever forward as you are going to have to hit the pin with a punch. This requires a little force. Once the pin starts moving it goes pretty easy.



Pin almost out



Then take the new piece and install it with the small bolt supplied. The bolt is going to tighten but it is shouldered so you can't over tighten it and bind up the shifting. The bolt will still turn after it is tight.



Install the plate back on the trans. Remove the two outer bolts and take the plastic cup and install it on the ball end of the shifter. A little grease here is welcome. Install the new plastic "cup" back into the groove of the shifter arm and tighten the 2 bolts. These are metric bolts and the threads are tight. I assume this is so they do not loosen.






Install the sheet metal cover. I put some blue RTV on it to seal it up so no grit gets inside. Pretty simple and it seems tighter. I won't be able to test it out for a while but it looks and feels better than the old roll pin assembly.

 

Nice directions. Mine is still in the packet waiting for the big engine change day. Did Keisler also send you the allen bolt to replace the nearly impossible to tighten left upper tranny to bell bolt?

 

No they did not. I have a very thin wall shallow 3/4 swivel socket that has worked for me. I am going to get a socket head bolt to replace it though. It is a pain to get at.

 

I installed a TKO-500 in a '65 a couple of weeks ago, and the trans was built with the new shifter arrangement shown above and an allen-head bolt for the upper right-hand trans-to-bellhousing attachment came with the kit.

 

Gordonm:
I can't remember how long ago we started including the 1/2 x 13 allen head for the upper right hand side, but if you need one, let me know and I'll send it.

Richard

 

Hey Gordon. Since you have ruined the value of your car by installing an aftermarket transmission and shifter, how about you sell it to me CHEEP?

(We won't mention the powerplant)

Rich

 

My trans is a few years old now so it was not included in the kit. Don't worry about the bolt. One of the distributors I work with is a nut and bolt dist and we also work with Fastenal so I think I'll be able to get one. Thanks for the offer.

 

Everything is for sale for the right price. It won't be cheap though. Having to much fun with it.
I have pretty much ruined the LT1 value but I don't care. It is much more fun this way than stock.

 

Showoff.... now put a Keisler in the "turd" and then I'll be impressed...

 

Order one up and we will put it in!

 

Thanks for the pictures. I have the new part, but haven't installed it yet.

 

I just did a auto to manual Kiesler kit in my 73 vert. I have the roll-pin shifter.

What does the new upgraded shifter assembly improve?

Does it shorten the throw?

Is it just a better design than the roll-pin?
Cheers,

Crunch

 

Crunch, can you tell me more about your conversion, putting in the clutch pedal, crossmember, how hard was the install? Thanks

 

I guess "that conversion" would make a huge differance...you know what I'm looking for.... wonder what the weight differance would be and HP gain through the drivetrain....

 

 

Is this upgrade supposed to fix the hard 2nd to 3rd missed upshift problem ?

 

Great info! I love it when it accompanied with lots of pictures...

 

Looks good. I take it, you need to have the transmission out of the car to perform this mod, right? My roll pin might be staying where it is for a few years...

 

Yes the transmission is on the bench. You cannot do it in the car due to the top plate needing to come off. I probably would have left it alone but the trans it out for a flywheel change. It helps the 2 to 3 shift and also some had a vibration from the shifter that this was going to help. It will be a while until I have eveything back in to see any difference. It took less than an hour but to get the trans out to that point is a lot of time to change a small piece.

 

Been there done that.