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You just want each shifting rod to be adjusted so it's as close to neutral as you can possibly get it when the three individual shafts are in neutral and the shifter itself is pinned into neutral. in other words, when you go to fasten each shifting arm down onto its respective shaft in the transmission it should drop easily over the flats on the shaft end without having to push it forward or aft. If you install it thusly and there are shifting/grinding issues then you would have an internal problem somewhere...
Hi B76,
In the shifter section, the GM Chassis Service Manual shows a tool much like a 1" wide paint scraper that's inserted into a slot in the shifter mechanism to aid in doing the adjustments.
You can make a good one from one of the small white plastic scrapers home stores sell.
Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan
If that don't help. Look at your shifter. There is a small hole that goes all the way through the shifter, align the holes. This will put the shifter in neutral. Make sure the tranny is in neutral as well. 1st,2nd/3rd.4th will be pointing straight up, and reverse will be back (the bottom portion) towards the rear of the car. Install the short rod first this is goes to the inner linkage to the reverse. Then the middle rod to the middle linkage to the 3rd/4th linkage, then the outside linkage to the furthest linkage. If the tranny is sitting on the frame with no body, this will be a breeze, If the body is on, good luck, it sucks.
can you tell me what the purpose of the tool is i have to admitt ive never installed a shifter before
The tool is used to align the shifter in the neutral gate and keep it there whilst you are messing with the rods underneath and trying to attach them to the tranny shafts. You could also utilize the services of your wife or girl friend to keep the shifter sliding back and forth in the neutral gate, but I would advise against it. Almost as bad as having them pump the brake pedal during brake bleeding. Often leads to harsh words and a strained relationship. If you can't find or make the tool, use your drinking buddy and give him a beer to keep busy.
Hi B76,
The tool has a flat tip like the paint scraper.
Cut a small rectangular piece off the scraper so it has a tip that's .644" wide and 1" deep before the rest of the wide part of the blade begins again.
Cut a tiny 45 degree piece (.05") off each corner of the .644"x1" tongue you now have on the end of the scraper.
The tool can be bent to get the clearance to slip it into the shifter to align the shifter plates.
Again,Good Luck!
Regards,
Alan