I rebuilt the 4-speed shifter in my '75 using one of the rebuild kits. It tightened it up nicely, and fixed the problem with it catching going into 2nd gear (the reverse lockout rod was worn way down). My question is that there does not appear to be an alignment hole to set all the pawls to neutral. My concern is that when I get the transmission back in it will be a pain working in the confined space under the car to get all the shift rods set correctly.
What it the method to align the shift rods?
BTW -- I had a heck of a time getting the shifter out of the car even with the transmission out. I read about one person who took it out with the transmission in place -- I can't imagine doing that!
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 521
It shows you how in the factory service manual. Assuming your shifter is the same as in my 73, it takes a piece of flat thin stock that they'd used to align the shifters in the neutral position. Much more difficult than with the piece of drill rod on the previous versions. Especially if it's in the car because then you have to bend the piece of stock into a curve in order to get it up into the tunnel. If you don't have a FSM, I can post a picture of mine if I can find it. Or maybe a picture of the FSM page when I get home.
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 19560
The factory shifter could have two different alignment "slots". Depending on which one you have, it requires a pin, or square stock "gauge". Either way, you insert the pin or gauge into the slot/hole, lining the three levers up first, then adjust the linkages to fit the levers. If you did NOT loosen, or move any of the linkage adjustments before taking the shifter off, it should be dang close to start with.
This pic shows the two different alignment slot/holes.(A & B) The Service manual, if you have one, also has the adjustment procedure.
____________________________________ Joel Adams C3VR Lifetime Member #56 My Link
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 521
Here's a picture of the alignment tool. The narrow part that fits in the slots is 5/8" and the mat'l thickness is 0.015".
Thanks. Once I knew where the slot was, I made a tool to fit. It'll be a few weeks before I get the engine & transmission together and be ready to install everything again.
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 521
Just curious to know if the one I pictured would fit your shifter. I couldn't remember if they switched transmissions in 75 or not.
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 521
I think the cut out was just to ensure that you got it inserted all the way to pick up all of the shifters. Are you planning on adjusting them before you put get back in the vehicle?
73shark said: I think the cut out was just to ensure that you got it inserted all the way to pick up all of the shifters. Are you planning on adjusting them before you put get back in the vehicle?
I was planning on inserting the tool, then mount the shifter, then install the transmission, then see that the rods line up correctly.
Since the shifter does not mount to the transmission itself, I don't see any other way of doing it.
Vette(s): 1972 conv, 4-speed, 350, 200hp, numbers match, rally wheels, war bonnett yellow w/white top. good condition, nice driver.
Joined: 10/31/2007
Posts: 1975
On my 72' I put transmission in, then the shifter, then the brackets to attach it, then inserted my home made adjustment tool and adjusted the shift rods. It was a BEAR! Be interested to know how you accomplished the task. Exaust pipes go on last. No room to work in the tunnel.
manchestershark said: On my 72' I put transmission in, then the shifter, then the brackets to attach it, then inserted my home made adjustment tool and adjusted the shift rods. It was a BEAR! Be interested to know how you accomplished the task. Exaust pipes go on last. No room to work in the tunnel.
I had a bear of a time getting the shifter out when the transmission had already been removed. I can't imagine working around it to put the shifter in. I had a time just unhooking the shifter rods.
The exhaust pipes are in place. They are welded in and in good shape, so I'll be working around them at least. I'm not looking forward to this job!
manchestershark said: Do you have the single pipe with converter to deal with, or true duals? I have true duals, which makes for less space to work in.
I was dreading putting the shifter back in since I had such a hard time getting it out. But I just got it back in without an issue. I have no idea now why I had such a time getting it out.
Next step is pulling the transmission apart and rebuilding it. I read that Borg Warner transmissions have an issue with jumping out of 2nd gear, which is what mine does. I may be hunting for a 2nd gear-set once I get it apart.
I was reading about C3 Corvettes, and the indication was they they usually had Muncie transmissions. Anyone know if that is true?
Vette(s): 1973 Orange Metallic Coupe (orig owner), L82, 4 spd (WR), PS, (A/C & PW (I installed from wrecked 73)), leather, AM/FM Stereo, ran with '65 FI unit earlier & will again some day.
Joined: 7/9/2003
Posts: 521
I think they changed to BorgWarner around 1975 or 76.
Vette(s): #1-1974 L-48 4spd Cp Med Red Metallic/Black deluxe int w/AC/tilt/tele./p/w-p/b/
Am-Fm/map light National/Regional/Chapter NCRS "Top Flight"
#2-1985 Bright Red/Carmine Cp.L-98/auto
Member: NCRS, NCRS Texas, Corvette Legends of Texas
Joined: 11/8/2003
Posts: 19560
Corvettes have used both BW and Muncie transmissions over the years. Your '75 will have a BW Super T-10 unless it has been changed sometime in the past. I have never run into any specific design failures on either. One is not necessarily better than the other, other than the M-22 Muncie, which simply has wider, and straighter gear teeth.
You can get dang near any part you need for a Muncie or BW from Kajun Jon .
____________________________________ Joel Adams C3VR Lifetime Member #56 My Link
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