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This is kinda weird. Shifter Ball's T-Interlock worked great before I had to take it apart in order to fit a hole adapter plate/new lower 4-speed boot to my Auto-to-4 speed conversion project. Now it won't go back together properly.
Bought this as a " Original GM Corvette 4-Speed Transmission Shifter Linkage Rods-Levers 1969-E1974" for my '73.
Here is the Interlock T-handle, Rod, & Spring that came out.
Here's the Spring next to it's upper seat.
Here is the Lever where it came out of.
When I insert the Rod w/Spring back into the Lever, the Spring merrily drops down the Rod to the bottom of the Lever. The Lever is missing a lower Spring seat somewhere along the Lever's cutout.
When I removed the Rod assembly, the Spring was sitting at the bottom of the cutout, with the Spring's top at a small tilt outward. Why it didn't fall down into the Lever is a mystery to me.
Many good threads on Shift Lever ops here that I've found, but none expound on this particular problem of a lower Spring support/seat.
Any thoughts on what I'm not understanding or part missing will be much appreciated.
I just looked in the latest Top Flight printed catalog where they show two bushings in the area you are referring to. Take a look, the Corvette suppliers have really good illustrations of parts and their fitment. Get catalogs from several places, as they usually have different illustrations and even more / less replacement parts.
I know this problem as I have done it several times over the years. The handle goes in first and then the spring goes on top of the handle and then the shifter ball is screwed on. If you put the spring in first it will fall to the bottom of the shifter and then it is a pain to get it back out.
See photo.
Last edited by robertea; Sep 29, 2021 at 10:01 AM.
I just looked in the latest Top Flight printed catalog where they show two bushings in the area you are referring to. Take a look, the Corvette suppliers have really good illustrations of parts and their fitment. Get catalogs from several places, as they usually have different illustrations and even more / less replacement parts.
I kinda wondered about those bushings too, and Willcox does carry them. Also wondered about that extention on the bottom of the Rod.
On this parts breakdown, it shows a normal Rod end like mine, and the Spring up against the **** also.
Different years, different construction I guess.
I know this problem as I have done it several times over the years. The handle goes in first and then the spring goes on top of the handle and then the shifter ball is screwed on. If you put the spring in first it will fall to the bottom of the shifter and then it is a pain to get it back out.
See photo.
Makes all the sense in the world. THANKS MUCH!
Now I have another problem;
Something at the bottom of the Lever is keeping the Rod/T-Handle from going farther down. No way will that long Spring compress enough to allow the Ball/**** to thread onto the Lever.
Would removing this Pin and removing the Bolt give me access down there (remove the Lever) to see what the hell is blocking the Rod from going down deeper?
Thanks much folks.
Steve
I'd better add this: The Tranny is loosely mounted as the engine is not installed to it yet. Only the rear mount is holding it in the car and it's just supported by a jack at the Bell Housing. Tranny jumps around some when gears are selected. Perhaps I should just wait until the engine is in first.
Last edited by Cavu2u; Sep 29, 2021 at 12:04 PM.
Reason: clarification
Because I inserted the T-Fitting/Rod 180 degrees OFF!
This is sort of my life's story folks; If I can ever do something wrong, I will do it wrong FIRST and wonder why it isn't right!
Sorry to bother you folks with this "problem".
Someone in the future will have similar issues, find this thread, and benefit from it. You just unintentionally paid it forward for them. We all have had experiences where we looked at assemblies cross-eyed.
Yeah, it's not a total waste.
It is Not good either to constantly beat ourselves up. Humility can be a strengthening thing at times. I will continue to learn no matter how old I get.
4-Speed Shifter Lever Assembly
The Lever is missing a lower Spring seat somewhere along the Lever's cutout.
