4+3 shift levers cannot drill (to make short shift) with cobalt bit
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4+3 shift levers cannot drill (to make short shift) with cobalt bit
i bought the levers to shorten the throw of the 4+3 and realized i could mod my oem ones in similar fasion. te front one drilled fine.
the rear (long) one will not drill!!!!
i even used it as an excuse to buy a new set of cobalt bits. all they do is shine the metal a bit. i punched a dimple to start.
im not taking it to a metal fab shop just for a hole. how ghe heck was one soft and other is like bullet proof steel.
i guess im just going to install the short throw levers but id like to get this hole drilled so i can report to others who would like an alternative to the out of production 4+3 levers ss levers
the rear (long) one will not drill!!!!
i even used it as an excuse to buy a new set of cobalt bits. all they do is shine the metal a bit. i punched a dimple to start.
im not taking it to a metal fab shop just for a hole. how ghe heck was one soft and other is like bullet proof steel.
i guess im just going to install the short throw levers but id like to get this hole drilled so i can report to others who would like an alternative to the out of production 4+3 levers ss levers
Last edited by VikingTrad3r; Sep 25, 2017 at 07:35 PM.
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Joined: Jun 2017
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From: Cincinnati Ohio
drilling hole
try grinding off the outside layer with stone - 2 paper thickness deep - may take a little more to get thru the hardened surface. Use a sharp bit. Slow bit speed and make sure it is cutting. Use trans fluid for cutting fluid. Goodluck.
I have used the short throw arms on my 85 and really could never get it aligned exactly right for reverse -- even using the 1/4" alignment hole. went back to long throw, May just be me.
I have used the short throw arms on my 85 and really could never get it aligned exactly right for reverse -- even using the 1/4" alignment hole. went back to long throw, May just be me.
Last edited by Dennis L Brooks; Sep 25, 2017 at 08:04 PM. Reason: words
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Heat the area you're going to drill with a torch until it gets dull red, and stop. Let it air-cool. Try to heat the area rapidly, and endeavor to keep the red-spot in the area you want to drill. This should remove the hardening treatment. If you want to re-establish the hardening after you drill the hole, heat the whole thing to dull orange and drop it in motor oil to quench it.
Sounds like one of the arms didn't get hardened. The other did.
Sounds like one of the arms didn't get hardened. The other did.
I went ahead and installed the kit, and will attempt what dogs said.
I tried the grinding suggestion and it didn't work.
Just sitting in the car, the mod is WELL worth it and I think I can get it even better by moving the holes even closer to the middle. I'll attempt a scale model drawing.
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Hi KSA,
I read that as well, but my concern there was that the oem levers are not the same size. one is longer than the other. So not sure the shift throw would be equal if two of the same shorter reverse levers were used.
drilling holes in the oem arms does work. I am templating it and will post here when i have a chance in the next month. cheers.
I read that as well, but my concern there was that the oem levers are not the same size. one is longer than the other. So not sure the shift throw would be equal if two of the same shorter reverse levers were used.
drilling holes in the oem arms does work. I am templating it and will post here when i have a chance in the next month. cheers.
