Shiffty Part 2
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 855
Likes: 71
Shiffty Part 2
When cold coming to a stop my 77 will not go in to gear! After a half of hour of driving smooth as butter. What could be the problem? History original clutch and all components including shifter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,513
Likes: 1,948
From: Temple Terrace Florida
Check to see if the shifter bolts are tight. There should be two of them. Also check the clutch linkage to see if you lost any of the bolts and that they are tight as well. Readjust the shifter linkage using the tool specified in the GM manual. You can always make one. While the linkage is off, see if you can move it into gear with a wrench. If it binds up or won't easily go into gear, the gear box, most likely, will have to come out. Jerry
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 13,014
Likes: 2,257
From: Corsicana, Tx
2020 C2 of the Year - Modified Winner
2020 Corvette of the Year (performance mods)
C2 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
2017 C2 of Year Finalist
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,902
Likes: 4,475
From: Virginia
You may as well start an oil thread for all of the opinions you'll get on this.
I changed the oil in my 4-speed, and shifting improved. There is no longer a temperature dependency, it is just a clunky, external shifter at all times. But it does shift, hot and cold.
Based on my research, I used Red Line synthetic MT-90 GL-4 in my B&W Super T-10. YMMV.
Pro tip, if you do manage to pick an oil, and you have a transmission with two ports, be sure to open the top plug first. If you open the bottom port, but the top port is stuck, you'll have disabled your car.
I changed the oil in my 4-speed, and shifting improved. There is no longer a temperature dependency, it is just a clunky, external shifter at all times. But it does shift, hot and cold.
Based on my research, I used Red Line synthetic MT-90 GL-4 in my B&W Super T-10. YMMV.
Pro tip, if you do manage to pick an oil, and you have a transmission with two ports, be sure to open the top plug first. If you open the bottom port, but the top port is stuck, you'll have disabled your car.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,764
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
77 is B.W. ST-10 box.
It does have a upper fill and lower drain.
I have a 77 ST-10 box myself. Yes, which gear oil is in them does make a difference.
Yes I recommend a GL4 rated gear oil.
I personally prefer a mineral based lube in these old boxes as the syncros often don't play nice with the extra slippery synthetics.
As stated above, might as well start yet another oil thread. There are as many opinions as there are members on this forum.
But bad shifting cold, perfect shifting warm certainly sounds like a thick oil problem.
It does have a upper fill and lower drain.
I have a 77 ST-10 box myself. Yes, which gear oil is in them does make a difference.
Yes I recommend a GL4 rated gear oil.
I personally prefer a mineral based lube in these old boxes as the syncros often don't play nice with the extra slippery synthetics.
As stated above, might as well start yet another oil thread. There are as many opinions as there are members on this forum.
But bad shifting cold, perfect shifting warm certainly sounds like a thick oil problem.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,902
Likes: 4,475
From: Virginia
I bought a gallon of the GL-4 I linked above. Maybe it's almost enough for two changes? Dunno.
I found a pump that screws into bottle at Amazon. Or a cheap transfer pump was $5- at Harbor Freight. Wear gloves, it's messy.
I found a pump that screws into bottle at Amazon. Or a cheap transfer pump was $5- at Harbor Freight. Wear gloves, it's messy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,457
Likes: 1,483
From: Little Rock AR
Need to verify clutch pedal free play adjustment. Your pedal needs to be able to move 1" to 1.5" at the pad with finger pressure only. You can adjust it per the assembly manual procedure. If it is hard to get in gear with the engine on but easier with the engine off, see below.
If that does not fix it you are probably due for a clutch assembly replacement.
If that does not fix it you are probably due for a clutch assembly replacement.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,764
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
holds about a quart and a half. Squeeze bottle with a hose, pump, over here in Australia you can purchase GL4 in a plastic bag with a hose. Really handy.
when I was young, poor and in a hurry I'd use a dish soap bottle with a foot of hose on it and Squeeze it in. Would have to fill the bottle several times. But it worked.
when I was young, poor and in a hurry I'd use a dish soap bottle with a foot of hose on it and Squeeze it in. Would have to fill the bottle several times. But it worked.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,151
Likes: 7,764
From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Oh, and if your clutch is out of adjustment, it would be out of adjustment all the time.
