shifter problem
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Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2015
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shifter problem
I tried to install my new mgw and lower box over the weekend. needless t0 say I had to re install my factory shifter. after putting it all back together I noticed when pulling the shifter out of gear it stays in the same position. like if I pull it out of first it stay leaning towards first and wont spring back into the middle of neutral . any idea what would cause this?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 12,502
Likes: 3,631
I tried to install my new mgw and lower box over the weekend. needless t0 say I had to re install my factory shifter. after putting it all back together I noticed when pulling the shifter out of gear it stays in the same position. like if I pull it out of first it stay leaning towards first and wont spring back into the middle of neutral . any idea what would cause this?
Bottom right bolt is the coupling bolt.
Hence to install the MGW, make sure the trans in in neutral to start with* , the MGW shifter is in neutral (will stay spring loaded there), then attach the rear coupling to the shifter box out put and tighten the coupling bolt to 40ft lbs first, don't move the box as the shifter stays centered, then tighten the box bolts to tighten the box to the torque tube.
* If you did not put the trans in neutral before installing the shifter, on the rod coming from the trans, push it all the way towards the trans, then pull it all the way away from the trans. The difference between the two (centered between the push and pull) will be the neutral position for the shaft and trans. When the coupling bolt is installed with the shifter in the neutral, the slot in the shaft will rotate the trans shaft to the needed rotation index for is rotation neutral as well.
On the stock shifter, since the shift lever is not spring loaded to stay centered, you have to lock the stock shifter to the neutral position instead. and the same method to index the shifter correctly, with the coupling bolt first, then the box to the torque tube.
Hence when the shifter box is installed, the shaft that comes off the trans that attaches to the shifter out put shaft has to stay in it neutral at rest position front to back with the coupling bolt tightened down, and where ever the shifter box ends up on the torque tube with it bolts in the slots, that is where they get tightened to to hold that box to the torque tube there.
Directions are here is needed,
https://www.mgwshifters.com/shifters/corvettes/88
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2014
Posts: 1,418
Likes: 267
From: Pontiac Quebec
You did not tighten the coupling bolt tight enough, or the trans was not in neutral when you install the shifter.
Bottom right bolt is the coupling bolt.
Hence to install the MGW, make sure the trans in in neutral to start with* , the MGW shifter is in neutral (will stay spring loaded there), then attach the rear coupling to the shifter box out put and tighten the coupling bolt to 40ft lbs first, don't move the box as the shifter stays centered, then tighten the box bolts to tighten the box to the torque tube.
* If you did not put the trans in neutral before installing the shifter, on the rod coming from the trans, push it all the way towards the trans, then pull it all the way away from the trans. The difference between the two (centered between the push and pull) will be the neutral position for the shaft and trans. When the coupling bolt is installed with the shifter in the neutral, the slot in the shaft will rotate the trans shaft to the needed rotation index for is rotation neutral as well.
On the stock shifter, since the shift lever is not spring loaded to stay centered, you have to lock the stock shifter to the neutral position instead. and the same method to index the shifter correctly, with the coupling bolt first, then the box to the torque tube.
Hence when the shifter box is installed, the shaft that comes off the trans that attaches to the shifter out put shaft has to stay in it neutral at rest position front to back with the coupling bolt tightened down, and where ever the shifter box ends up on the torque tube with it bolts in the slots, that is where they get tightened to to hold that box to the torque tube there.
Directions are here is needed,
https://www.mgwshifters.com/shifters/corvettes/88
Bottom right bolt is the coupling bolt.
Hence to install the MGW, make sure the trans in in neutral to start with* , the MGW shifter is in neutral (will stay spring loaded there), then attach the rear coupling to the shifter box out put and tighten the coupling bolt to 40ft lbs first, don't move the box as the shifter stays centered, then tighten the box bolts to tighten the box to the torque tube.
* If you did not put the trans in neutral before installing the shifter, on the rod coming from the trans, push it all the way towards the trans, then pull it all the way away from the trans. The difference between the two (centered between the push and pull) will be the neutral position for the shaft and trans. When the coupling bolt is installed with the shifter in the neutral, the slot in the shaft will rotate the trans shaft to the needed rotation index for is rotation neutral as well.
On the stock shifter, since the shift lever is not spring loaded to stay centered, you have to lock the stock shifter to the neutral position instead. and the same method to index the shifter correctly, with the coupling bolt first, then the box to the torque tube.
Hence when the shifter box is installed, the shaft that comes off the trans that attaches to the shifter out put shaft has to stay in it neutral at rest position front to back with the coupling bolt tightened down, and where ever the shifter box ends up on the torque tube with it bolts in the slots, that is where they get tightened to to hold that box to the torque tube there.
Directions are here is needed,
https://www.mgwshifters.com/shifters/corvettes/88
thanks Dano once again for your never ending help on this forum. easily the biggest asset we have 
