Shifter broken
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
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Shifter broken
I have a 1976 corvette. I was shifting out of reverse into first. Pulled up to shift out. The shift handle that lifts it out of gear broke. It shifts through 1st to fourth. Won't go into reverse. Took shifter apart everything came out handle, rod spring. What is broke and how do I replace.Thanks Putts
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
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Are you saying without the reverse lockout parts installed, the ****, the tee handle, etc. the car will not go into reverse? If so check the linkage under the car, in particular the shift rod closest to the rear of the car.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 16,528
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From: Dayton, Ohio
but also make sure that the entire rod came out,if there is a small piece still down inside you won't be able to get into rev.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
The release lever is broken. The piece that attaches to the rod is broken off the shifter. How is the rod attached to the linkage to enable it to lift the linkage out of gear.
Thanks Putts
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,740
Likes: 2,583
I'm having a problem understanding your description. There is no "release lever". The "Tee" handle that you pull up on has a pin at the end that blocks the shift lever from moving into the reverse gate in the shifter. Is the pin broken off the "Tee" handle? Below is a link that shows all the rods and the connecting components to the shifter and transmission levers. Maybe you can spot what you need here:
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...4&dept_id=1888
below is the "Tee" handle, is this what yours looks like?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...5&dept_id=1875
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...4&dept_id=1888
below is the "Tee" handle, is this what yours looks like?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...5&dept_id=1875
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
If that is what you want to do. The stock corvette shifter works fine if it is not worn. Zip sells parts or entire rebuild kits and has on-line instructions. I am not familiar with the '82 shifter, but my '69 has a second set of holes in the shift levers (that attach to the 1-2 and 3-4 tranny shafts) that will shorten the throw. After rebuilding mine, it is as tight and smooth as new.
Last edited by Faster Rat; May 5, 2010 at 01:14 PM.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I'm having a problem understanding your description. There is no "release lever". The "Tee" handle that you pull up on has a pin at the end that blocks the shift lever from moving into the reverse gate in the shifter. Is the pin broken off the "Tee" handle? Below is a link that shows all the rods and the connecting components to the shifter and transmission levers. Maybe you can spot what you need here:
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...4&dept_id=1888
below is the "Tee" handle, is this what yours looks like?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...5&dept_id=1875
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...4&dept_id=1888
below is the "Tee" handle, is this what yours looks like?
http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?p...5&dept_id=1875
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Get a new T handle...it comes with the rod attached. Slide this down into the shifter, then put the spring in the top, then screw the **** on. When you lift up on the T handle, the pin lifts out of the lower shift mechanism, allowing the shifter gate to slide into the reverse plane, which allows you to move the reverse shift rod/lever into the reverse position. The spring on top of the T handle will return the rod to it's lock-out position once you bring the car out of reverse, thru the neutral gate and into the 1-2 plane.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
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From: Bridgewater nj
If that is what you want to do. The stock corvette shifter works fine if it is not worn. Zip sells parts or entire rebuild kits and has on-line instructions. I am not familiar with the '82 shifter, but my '69 has a second set of holes in the shift levers (that attach to the 1-2 and 3-4 tranny shafts) that will shorten the throw. After rebuilding mine, it is as tight and smooth as new.
. I don't recall seeing that on the 74.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
I couldn't shift my four speed out of reverse. When it did. I heard a clunk. That's when my T handle broke. I can shift through 1st to 4th. I can't get it into reverse. With the shifter apart and no T handle. Should I be able to shift to reverse? Or is something else broken.
Thanks Ron
Thanks Ron
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 3,079
Likes: 315
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Puttsee
If no piece of the T-handle rod broke off, then you need to get under the car and disconnect the reverse linkage. Try pulling the lever off the tranny shaft and check to see if you can use a wrench to move it in and out of reverse. With the shifter disconnected from the tranny and no T-handle, you should be able to move it thru the entire shifter neutral gate...from one side to the other. If it does, then you have to check the adjustment of the rod between the shifter and the tranny lever.
If no piece of the T-handle rod broke off, then you need to get under the car and disconnect the reverse linkage. Try pulling the lever off the tranny shaft and check to see if you can use a wrench to move it in and out of reverse. With the shifter disconnected from the tranny and no T-handle, you should be able to move it thru the entire shifter neutral gate...from one side to the other. If it does, then you have to check the adjustment of the rod between the shifter and the tranny lever.
