M-21 Shifter linkage adjustment...
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
M-21 Shifter linkage adjustment...
I was wondering if anyone has ever re-adjusted their shifter linkage to the second holes on the gear levers (closest to the pivot point)? I recently purchased a new linkage kit <30 years of abuse> and thought I would try the other holes. It shortens the shift throw by about 50%. Am I safe in trying this - or is it going to cause problems? BTW - I ordered the linkage kit from one of the supporting venders and was NOT impressed with it. 
The new levers had to have the slots filed longer by over 1/8 of an inch, the original slots have rounded areas in the middle for the bolts to pass through - these didn't = more filing, and my M-21 has factory bolts (as stated above) this kit came with nuts... 
WTF? I suppose some M-21's have studs on the trans to which the kit should be supplied with both. The kit was also missing a cotter pin. 
Fortunately I had one, of course it's probably not NCRS 
The new levers had to have the slots filed longer by over 1/8 of an inch, the original slots have rounded areas in the middle for the bolts to pass through - these didn't = more filing, and my M-21 has factory bolts (as stated above) this kit came with nuts... WTF? I suppose some M-21's have studs on the trans to which the kit should be supplied with both. The kit was also missing a cotter pin. Fortunately I had one, of course it's probably not NCRS
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
The Muncies for 68 and older use nuts and studs on the tranny levers. The 69 and up use bolts to retain the levers. It sounds to me that you have the wrong linkage for the tranny.
-Mark.
-Mark.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by stingr69
The Muncies for 68 and older use nuts and studs on the tranny levers. The 69 and up use bolts to retain the levers. It sounds to me that you have the wrong linkage for the tranny.
-Mark.
-Mark.
From vender's site:
74-76 SHIFTER LINKAGE KT
Code: SH011A
Price:$69.00
Shipping Weight: 2.68 pounds
That's the part # on the bag and paper. If I got the wrong kit, they put the wrong parts in the right bag with the right papers... all of the linkage rods were correct length - just the levers needed some work.
I don't want to sound like a negative add to the supporting vender because I was able to work with what I got... my main question was for using the other linkage holes. I like the shorter throw - hopefully it won't cause me issues.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by Schmucker
Didn't the '74-'76 use the T10 and not a Muncie?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
Muncies were gone in 75 but you could get the Warner tranny or the Muncie in 74 I think. Which tranny do you have? It might not be original.
Keep in mind that M-20 does not always mean Muncie.
-Mark.
Keep in mind that M-20 does not always mean Muncie.
-Mark.
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
Likes: 174
From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by stingr69
Muncies were gone in 75 but you could get the Warner tranny or the Muncie in 74 I think. Which tranny do you have? It might not be original.
Keep in mind that M-20 does not always mean Muncie.
-Mark.
Keep in mind that M-20 does not always mean Muncie.
-Mark.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Originally Posted by nhlgopens
I was wondering if anyone has ever re-adjusted their shifter linkage to the second holes on the gear levers (closest to the pivot point)? I recently purchased a new linkage kit <30 years of abuse> and thought I would try the other holes. It shortens the shift throw by about 50%. Am I safe in trying this - or is it going to cause problems? BTW - I ordered the linkage kit from one of the supporting venders and was NOT impressed with it. The new levers had to have the slots filed longer by over 1/8 of an inch, the original slots have rounded areas in the middle for the bolts to pass through - these didn't = more filing, and my M-21 has factory bolts (as stated above) this kit came with nuts... WTF? I suppose some M-21's have studs on the trans to which the kit should be supplied with both. The kit was also missing a cotter pin. Fortunately I had one, of course it's probably not NCRS
The new levers had to have the slots filed longer by over 1/8 of an inch, the original slots have rounded areas in the middle for the bolts to pass through - these didn't = more filing, and my M-21 has factory bolts (as stated above) this kit came with nuts... WTF? I suppose some M-21's have studs on the trans to which the kit should be supplied with both. The kit was also missing a cotter pin. Fortunately I had one, of course it's probably not NCRS Corvette Stories
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Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 23,957
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From: South West - but north of Dayton, Ohio
Originally Posted by crazydalys
According to L-82.com, my 76 has the M-21 close ratio. Is that incorrect?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
M21 was not always "Muncie", It just meant "close ratio 4 speed". The supplier was Warner in the later years. M-20 is a code for "wide ratio 4 speed", not a specific tranny. M-22 was "close ratio extra heavy duty" that was the "Rock Crusher" but if you had that option, it was always Muncie. This option was not available any other way.
For example: '69 M-21 was "Muncie - close ratio" while '76 M-21 was "Warner - close ratio".
If you bought a 69 Camaro with the base V-8 and an M-20, you got a "Saginaw - wide ratio" tranny. If you had a 69 SS-396 Camaro and ordered M-20, you got the "Muncie - wide ratio". Just a code, not a specific tranny.
74 Vettes used both Muncie and Warner but they were Warner after that.
-Mark.
For example: '69 M-21 was "Muncie - close ratio" while '76 M-21 was "Warner - close ratio".
If you bought a 69 Camaro with the base V-8 and an M-20, you got a "Saginaw - wide ratio" tranny. If you had a 69 SS-396 Camaro and ordered M-20, you got the "Muncie - wide ratio". Just a code, not a specific tranny.
74 Vettes used both Muncie and Warner but they were Warner after that.
-Mark.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
Likes: 1,510
From: Little Rock AR
Originally Posted by joe73vette
in answer to your original question, yes go to the inner holes. it'll feel much better and do no harm. joe
-Mark.
