I would really appreciate some help with this.  I have a 1977 automatic trans.  The shift lever engages into gear properly however when in park it does not lock.  It appears that the shift button on top is broke.  Please guide me through this repair!  Thank you very much for all of your help

Does the button have any spring tension on it?
If the button will move up & down OK, but there is no "lock-out/in" for park, the pin on the bottom of the shifter that engages the detent plate is broken, or worn off.
You should have to press the button to get it out of park, and and to get it into drive. You should also have to press the button to get it into reverse from drive/neutral, and to go into 2nd or low gears. If the shifter moves freely between the gears without having to press the button, then the pin is gone, whether worn off, broken, or just fell out.
To repair this, you need to remove the shifter console and get to the shifter. Sometimes, the pin is a hardened material, and if it's broken off in the shifter handle, it is next to impossible to remove. In this case, the shifter rod(with the pin on it)replacement would be the only remedy. This involves totally dismantling the shifter from the car. Otherwise, the pin can be drilled and replaced, or, if there is enough of it still sticking out of the shifter handle, it can be pulled out with "Vice-Grip" pliers.
Hope this helps.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
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Just found out that the shifter pin is broken off not allowing it to lock like you suggested.  Unfortunately it is sheared off flush and nothing left to grab on to.  You spoke about drilling it out which I can do but I am having trouble finding the shifter pin part at any corvette parts stores. Do you have any suggestions as to where I can get one or what I should do from here?  Thanks, its much appeciated!

Matt, maybe this might help..........http://www.ecklers.com/product.asp?pf_id=37560&dept_id=1887 corvette440hp2008-03-26 08:49:52

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Thanks for you help.  I was trying to stay away from having to buy the whole shifter rod assembly given it is so expensive.  I will have to keep looking for just the shifter pin!

Matt, how about using a roll pin, or making your own pin from a piece of a drift pin.

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Could you please explain what a roll pin and drift pin is....sorry, I am not familiar with this....its greatly appreciated!

Matt, a roll pin is a hardened pin that comes in various thicknesses and lengths. You can buy them at hardware stores. The pin has a side slot opening, to allow the pin to slightly compress in an opening (hole) but remains tight (won't move) once it's fitted. You have to drive the roll pin into the opening with usually a pin press tool. I was thinking of using the pin press tool piece cut to the proper size, inserted into the hole then brazed to keep it from moving. here is a couple of links to look at:http://www.engineersedge.com/roll_pin.htm and:http://buy1.snapon.com/catalog/item.asp?item_ID=297&group_ID=1031. These items can be individually purched at Sears. The links are just to show what the items look like. corvette440hp2008-03-26 13:56:15

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This really helps me out....thank you for all the information.  I will give it a shot.  Do you think it is absolutely necessary that I purchase the pin press tool to insert the roll pin?  Again, I am trying to cut as much cost out of this project as possible.   Any other suggestions as how I may drive the roll pin in?  Thanks again, Matt

Matt, You really don't need any pin punches to work the roll pin into place. Just make sure that you get the proper size roll pin. You can drive it in with a hammer or press it in if you have access to a large enough vise. If I helped you out that's great........glad to be able to do it. Good luck!

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Thanks again, this really does help me out....I'll let you know how it works out!

I have located a complete automatic shift lever assembly I would like to replace the broken one I have now.  The one I am looking at is out of a 1979.  Can anyone tell me if this will work alright in my 77?  Are they interchangeable?  Thanks for all your help!

Matt

[QUOTE=fowler12]I have located a complete automatic shift lever assembly I would like to replace the broken one I have now.  The one I am looking at is out of a 1979.  Can anyone tell me if this will work alright in my 77?  Are they interchangeable?  Thanks for all your help!

Matt
[/QUOTE] Matt, the answer is YES, they are interchangeable (77-82).........good luck!  corvette440hp2008-04-11 08:01:28

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Great, thanks corvette440hp, I appreciate the tip!  I am gonna roll with this new shifter!

Matt, I'm glad to be able to help..........that's what this forum is all about.

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Yeah, any of the shifters from 77> will work.
The earlier cars had different consoles...

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

[QUOTE=Adams' Apple]Does the button have any spring tension on it?
If the button will move up & down OK, but there is no "lock-out/in" for park, the pin on the bottom of the shifter that engages the detent plate is broken, or worn off.
You should have to press the button to get it out of park, and and to get it into drive. You should also have to press the button to get it into reverse from drive/neutral, and to go into 2nd or low gears. If the shifter moves freely between the gears without having to press the button, then the pin is gone, whether worn off, broken, or just fell out.
To repair this, you need to remove the shifter console and get to the shifter. Sometimes, the pin is a hardened material, and if it's broken off in the shifter handle, it is next to impossible to remove. In this case, the shifter rod(with the pin on it)replacement would be the only remedy. This involves totally dismantling the shifter from the car. Otherwise, the pin can be drilled and replaced, or, if there is enough of it still sticking out of the shifter handle, it can be pulled out with "Vice-Grip" pliers.
Hope this helps.[/QUOTE]   iNTERESTING JOEL, MY SHIFTER LOCKS IN  IN PARK AND  NEUTRAL TO DRIVE, HOWEVER I DO NOT HAVE TO PRESS THE BUTTON TO GO THROUGH THE GEARS1-3

Going from 1st to 2nd to 3rd(upshifting) you will not need to mash the button. Going from 3rd to 1st(downshifting), you should. This is supposed to keep folks from "accidentally" downshifting at high speeds...

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Well, I didnt win the shifter assembly I was bidding on.  I need some more insight how to drill the broken shift pin out.  Is the shift pin connected in some way to the spring inside.  It seemed to me that it was when I was looking at it closely.  I didnt want to damage anything if I decide to drill it out.  Also, how do you release the transmission cable from the shifter bracket.  I know how to release it from the shifter rod.  Thanks for the help!