Midyear Shifter Adjustment

[TLeBlanc]

Good morning everyone,

I am having a problem with the shifter on my 64, when transitioning from reverse to 1st, the shifter sometimes gets hung up, and I end up having to slap it over with a pretty good swat of the hand. Once I get it out of reverse, everything works fine. I do sometimes find it difficult to find reverse too. Checked under the car and the previous owner had installed all new linkages, so I'm guessing it may just be an adjustment issue. Checked the assembly manual and it mentions a 5/16 pilot hole for setting all the shifter linkages in neutral then adjusting each linkage to fit the transmission linkage. Unfortunately there is no such pilot hole that I can find on the lower shifter housing. It is appears to be the correct shifter, ie chrome ball handle with "T" reverse lockout. Can anyone direct me to some information on properly setting (adjusting) the shifter linkages ?

 

[JohnZ]

It's shown in the 1964 Supplement to the 1963 Corvette Shop Manual - you need both books for full coverage. The gage for the linkage is 1/8" thick x .646" wide, and fits into a slot in the outboard side of the shifter and through all the levers (shown in the Shop Manual).

Only Hurst aftermarket shifters use a 1/8" drill bit as an adjustment gage; OEM shifter levers don't have any holes in them for a gage pin.

 

[TLeBlanc]

Thanks JohnZ,

I'll try this and let you know if this fixes the problem

 

[magicv8]

IMO if reverse is the only hangup, it is faster and easier to only adjust the reverse rod. You CAN do it alone, but easiest done with someone trying to put the lever in the reverse gate (not into reverse gear) while you pull the clip and screw the adjustment one or two threads in/out. Also, check for a loose/missing bushing where the rod meets the lever.

 

[TLeBlanc]

Good Morning Dave,

That makes sense, and certainly sounds easier. Thanks...

 

[IH2LOSE]

IMO if reverse is the only hangup, it is faster and easier to only adjust the reverse rod. You CAN do it alone, but easiest done with someone trying to put the lever in the reverse gate (not into reverse gear) while you pull the clip and screw the adjustment one or two threads in/out. Also, check for a loose/missing bushing where the rod meets the lever.


Excellent advice!

It not so bad to pull the unit out and inspect it.See whats worn or missing.When I have mine out I use a paint stick and mark all the places where the unit connects (shift rods to where and there correct position).As always I also use my digital camera to make sure I reinstall it correctley. Get a helper to throw it over and see what is hitting or tight .Good Luck and be safe

 

[TLeBlanc]

Thanks for the suggestions everyone. The main problem turned out to be the rod on the T-handle being just a bit too long. Once I trimmed about 1/32 off, everything worked fine. Guess the previous owner changed it when he overhauled the shifter..... everything was brand new on the shifter assembly.