Shifter Issue - Missing gates
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Nov 2019
Posts: 32
Likes: 6
From: Boise, ID
Shifter Issue - Missing gates
Hi folks,
I have a 72 C3 with a 4spd M20 in it, but i keep having shifter issues. It will go into a gear, but then the shift gates get bound up, and I can't shift from 2nd to 3rd, or from reverse to first. Depending on which one gets stuck, it's easy or difficult to get them to reset (sometimes a two person task). Obviously, this is a right pain in the *** if I'm not at my house when it happens (about 80% of the time). I have the old shifter my dad pulled out in 2010 when we redid the engine, but that was the OG shifter as far as I know. I have used the fancy 'alignment tool' to reset them, and normally they switch gates pretty well. I think it's just wearing out.
Questions: Is it worth it to go the Hurst shifter, or should I just buy a replacement from Zip or Ecklers?
Is there any way to replace this without pulling the whole damn transmission out? Is there a way to just lower the tail-shaft down enough to get to the bolts?
If I do pull the transmission, I'm going to get a removable crossmember, any quick tips for this process? (other than measure twice and cut once?)
I am planning to stick with the M20 for while, not planning to get a TKX or M23 at this point.
Any help is much appreciated! Thanks
I have a 72 C3 with a 4spd M20 in it, but i keep having shifter issues. It will go into a gear, but then the shift gates get bound up, and I can't shift from 2nd to 3rd, or from reverse to first. Depending on which one gets stuck, it's easy or difficult to get them to reset (sometimes a two person task). Obviously, this is a right pain in the *** if I'm not at my house when it happens (about 80% of the time). I have the old shifter my dad pulled out in 2010 when we redid the engine, but that was the OG shifter as far as I know. I have used the fancy 'alignment tool' to reset them, and normally they switch gates pretty well. I think it's just wearing out.
Questions: Is it worth it to go the Hurst shifter, or should I just buy a replacement from Zip or Ecklers?
Is there any way to replace this without pulling the whole damn transmission out? Is there a way to just lower the tail-shaft down enough to get to the bolts?
If I do pull the transmission, I'm going to get a removable crossmember, any quick tips for this process? (other than measure twice and cut once?)
I am planning to stick with the M20 for while, not planning to get a TKX or M23 at this point.
Any help is much appreciated! Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 989
From: Wauconda IL
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 6,546
Likes: 1,978
From: Temple Terrace Florida
The stock Muncie shifter is pretty good out of the box. Yours may need a tune up. Kits are available. Make sure that both bolts on the shifter are installed and tight. the bottom bolt can come loose and cause the problem you are having. You can remove the shifter from the car without removing the transmission. First, remove the ignition shielding and distributer cap. this will allow the back of the engine block to drop down. Remove the transmission mount. The transmission tail will drop almost 2". You may have to drop the exhaust from the manifolds for extra clearance. Lastly, if not done so, consider using the lower holes on the shifter linkage for a shorter throw while rowing through the gears. Before I installed a Tremec in my 66, I installed a Hurst shifter and it was nice. The stock shifter in my 68 works well also. Jerry
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,205
Likes: 4,295
From: US-PNW
Here are the factory adjustment procedures and diagram for how the levers and rods connect:
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,301
Likes: 7,875
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
I'm confused as well. What's a OG shifter?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,301
Likes: 7,875
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
I'm sorry, I would never have gotten that. I had no idea it was popular at one time either.
And I am old school. But a gangster has never owned my car! Nor would one need to be a criminal to be old school.
So Thanks for clearing that up.
So, the original shifter was owned by a criminal so it was removed.
Got it.
And I am old school. But a gangster has never owned my car! Nor would one need to be a criminal to be old school.
So Thanks for clearing that up.
So, the original shifter was owned by a criminal so it was removed.
Got it.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
Safety Car
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 4,761
Likes: 1,648
From: Fairfax Virginia
Likewise, I live right outside of Washington DC and I have never heard anyone use that slang around here. "Original Gangsta" is not part of my daily vocabulary.
My C3 had 73,000 miles on it and the shifter was rebuilt and re-installed on my Muncie transmission. It was done by a company of Corvette Experts so I know it was installed correctly and the adjustments were checked. My shifter got new bushing and other parts and it made the factory new again and it shifted better than ever. After a while I chose to install a new Hurst Shifter in my C3, it was an easy install on a lift but I wouldn't want to do it on the ground. I installed it in a couple hours on a lift, it is very easy to do.
The Hurst Shifter is so much more precise in it's feel. I would not go back to a factory shifter after being spoiled with the Hurst. The throws are shorter and the gear changes are solid which allows me to drive faster if I wanted to. Today the Hurst is getting ridiculous as far as prices go. It was one of my favorite parts that was put on as it really makes driving easier and shifting more precise.
My C3 had 73,000 miles on it and the shifter was rebuilt and re-installed on my Muncie transmission. It was done by a company of Corvette Experts so I know it was installed correctly and the adjustments were checked. My shifter got new bushing and other parts and it made the factory new again and it shifted better than ever. After a while I chose to install a new Hurst Shifter in my C3, it was an easy install on a lift but I wouldn't want to do it on the ground. I installed it in a couple hours on a lift, it is very easy to do.
The Hurst Shifter is so much more precise in it's feel. I would not go back to a factory shifter after being spoiled with the Hurst. The throws are shorter and the gear changes are solid which allows me to drive faster if I wanted to. Today the Hurst is getting ridiculous as far as prices go. It was one of my favorite parts that was put on as it really makes driving easier and shifting more precise.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 11,972
Likes: 4,522
From: Virginia
Since I can't delete double posts anymore, I'll edit this one.
OG is a perfectly fine acronym. I grew up in the 90s, so of course I know what it means.
OP and PO are two more acronyms that everyone uses. Example: "Unwilling to admit to breaking their own car, the OP (original poster) blamed the PO (previous owner) for their Bubba fix."
OP, since the PO is your own father, this does not apply in your case. I've certainly blamed my car's POs, though. A PO installed the Hurst shifter in my 80, and it's fine. I recently drove another 80 4-speed with the OG shifter, and it was absolute trash.
YMMV.
OG is a perfectly fine acronym. I grew up in the 90s, so of course I know what it means.
OP and PO are two more acronyms that everyone uses. Example: "Unwilling to admit to breaking their own car, the OP (original poster) blamed the PO (previous owner) for their Bubba fix."
OP, since the PO is your own father, this does not apply in your case. I've certainly blamed my car's POs, though. A PO installed the Hurst shifter in my 80, and it's fine. I recently drove another 80 4-speed with the OG shifter, and it was absolute trash.
YMMV.
Last edited by Bikespace; Sep 18, 2024 at 06:25 AM.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,205
Likes: 4,295
From: US-PNW
I'm sorry, I would never have gotten that. I had no idea it was popular at one time either.
And I am old school. But a gangster has never owned my car! Nor would one need to be a criminal to be old school.
So Thanks for clearing that up.
So, the original shifter was owned by a criminal so it was removed.
Got it.
And I am old school. But a gangster has never owned my car! Nor would one need to be a criminal to be old school.
So Thanks for clearing that up.
So, the original shifter was owned by a criminal so it was removed.
Got it.
If you listen to interviews and younger people talking, they say "OG" pretty frequently. I've not heard anyone say "original gangster", just the short "OG". The OG on OG was from the '80s, I think, and referencing rap music. (I work in a school, so probably hear it more than folks in the adult world.)
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,301
Likes: 7,875
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
My partner is 13 years younger than I. She never heard that nonsense either!
And yes there are a lot of us Boomers on here!
And that means we definitely lived through the 80's! And definitely never gave 2 ***** for rap music or it's culture.
So, how about we just limit these abbreviations that only have meaning to a very select few.
As in this case, only people with the waist band of there pants down by there knees understood.
We all pretty much suck at spelling. I understand that.
But abbreviations that no one get. Just type the word please.
And I still don't understand why the original shifter was removed.
And yes there are a lot of us Boomers on here!
And that means we definitely lived through the 80's! And definitely never gave 2 ***** for rap music or it's culture.
So, how about we just limit these abbreviations that only have meaning to a very select few.
As in this case, only people with the waist band of there pants down by there knees understood.
We all pretty much suck at spelling. I understand that.
But abbreviations that no one get. Just type the word please.
And I still don't understand why the original shifter was removed.