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Posted by: HalfMoon May 12 2014, 11:40 PM

Ready to finalize my transmission overhaul from last winter (Mondo thanks to Dr. Evil for helping/doing a very cool rebuild/modification to my 901).
I've done all new bushings from the firewall back to the console and now I'm ready to install a Weltmeister short shift.
Seems pretty straightforward (although the guide pins and springs look like a pita).
All that said, the final sentence of the instructions have an ominous caveat "you may find adjustment of the shift linkage necessary"....
Um, that doesn't sound like fun. I've heard doing shifter adjustment can be a big pita. What's the other members experience when doing an install of one of these short shift kits. Is it likely the adjustment will need to be re-adjusted or will I be lucky enough to simply install per instructions and go?
Thanks in advance,
David

Posted by: '73-914kid May 13 2014, 12:55 AM

Yes, you may need to re-adjust the shifter after changing everything over. It's really not a big deal.. I can get it done in 3 or 4 tries.. I do it on the road with a ratchet and 13mm socket, and adjust as necessary on the side of the road.

Or maybe I have different ideas of what is a "PITA" on a 914..

Posted by: stugray May 13 2014, 07:20 AM

Do you have a tail or side shift?
Have you already purchased the short shift kit?

The adjustment is not hard.
If you just reinstalled the linkage and all new bushings, then you had to do it at least once already.

Posted by: HalfMoon May 13 2014, 10:22 AM

Sideshift.
Yes, I already have the shifter (new)
Actually no, after having installed all new bushings I did not need to make any adjustments

Posted by: bdstone914 May 13 2014, 10:32 AM

I was told that the bottom part of the shift rod should be vertical with the trans in neutral. If not adjust the amount the shift rod inserts into the coupler below the shifter. You may want to put a reference mark on the shift rod to know the starting point.

Posted by: HalfMoon May 13 2014, 10:52 AM

Good tip. I'll remember that when I do the install

Posted by: stugray May 13 2014, 11:07 AM

I put a dab of whiteout (if you can still find any) right across the joint in the adjustment spot where the splines meet the shifter.
Then I use a ballpoint pen to mark across the splines (for forward back registry) and a mark with the splines (to mark rotation registry).

Then as you adjust you know what the baseline is.

The hardest part is knowing if you actually moved the adjustment (or not) while messing with it.
And how to get back where you started WHEN you adjust it the wrong way.

Posted by: bulitt May 13 2014, 01:18 PM

Here's a simple method- post#2

http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showtopic=91028

Posted by: HalfMoon May 13 2014, 01:27 PM

That's a cool method to be sure!
What about forward/back? Any easy method for that adjustment?
Excellant tip!
D

Posted by: Cap'n Krusty May 13 2014, 01:42 PM

Fore and aft is easy. With the clamp loose and the tranny in neutral, simply center the lever fore and aft and lock it down. Might want to be careful you don't rotate the clamp or the shaft .................. BTW, the short shifter is gonna be more sensitive to adjustment, and it's going to require somewhat more care and effort to shift. I had one on the Thunder Bus, but that was because the top of a stock bus shifter has to move about 3 feet when coupled to a 901 tranny. I used a "Target" short shift kit, which was the best of all of 'em, but has been out of production for decades.

The Cap'n

Posted by: HalfMoon May 13 2014, 02:11 PM

Thanks for the tip!
D

Posted by: Brian_Boss May 13 2014, 02:46 PM

You are dead on with this. The first one I did, I put a cheap HF shop rag over the spring and released it. It went through the rag with enough force to make a mark on the wall.

A tip on reinstalling springs (originally from Ed Mayo) is to use a long pin punch, like the kind meant for brake pad retaining pins, to lever the springs in. I found it easier than trying to compress them as shown in the manual. YMMV.

Posted by: HalfMoon May 13 2014, 02:56 PM

Having never unloaded those springs before, I find this to be a very valuable tip indeed

Posted by: pete000 May 13 2014, 02:59 PM

I just took a few shifters apart and putting a rag over the springs is a good idea and keep your fingers away they do pop out with some force.

Posted by: Dr Evil May 13 2014, 04:49 PM

Springs are fun. I have instructions with diagrams for adjusting the shifter if you email me. They are part of the 39pages of transmission notes. Email me for a copy (always free).

Posted by: HalfMoon May 13 2014, 06:23 PM

email sent!

Posted by: HalfMoon May 13 2014, 06:57 PM

Thanks for emailing me the Transmission Notes Doc!

Posted by: HalfMoon May 30 2014, 11:44 PM

Well poo.
I installed my short shift yesterday (yep the springs were a bitch Dr) and I had hoped I wouldn't need to do any adjusting but that's not to be.
I lost 4rth and 5th. Sooooo, what's the experience in terms of adjustment? Is this left/right or forward/backward adjustment? Or a lil of both? Just looking for a starting point for adjusting.

Posted by: Vacca Rabite May 31 2014, 07:20 AM

Mike has a really good adjustment section in his notes. I had my rennshifter adjusted in just a few moments reading them.
RTFM man! ;-)
Zach

Posted by: HalfMoon May 31 2014, 08:59 AM

Yep I've read them.

Posted by: Dr Evil May 31 2014, 10:56 AM

I put pictures in there?

If lost 4/5 then it is a side to side adjustment.

Posted by: HalfMoon May 31 2014, 11:02 AM

Yep, I saw the diagrams in the appendix. Just looking for a starting point.
Thanks dood!
As an aside, what do you think of the technique for adjusting where you get neutral, loosen the coupler, then bungy the shifter over to the right armrest, then tighten the coupler? Works?

Posted by: mepstein May 31 2014, 11:42 AM

I'm pretty sure I used vise grips to hold the spring when I overhauled my shifter. took a minute or 2 to remove and reinstall the spring and it didn't fly out of the shifter base with the vise grips locked down.

Posted by: Dr Evil May 31 2014, 01:13 PM

I like that technique in theory. I never need to use it because I have my own that works, but my technique is in no way the end all be all way to go. Many have found the bungy method to be very easy and worthwhile.

If 4/5 are missing, that means that you are hitting the right side limit of motion before you are getting to the 4/5 plain. So, you need to rotate the tunnel shaft towards the left a little. That moves the 4/5 plain back within the limits of your stick.

Easier, place car into 2 or 3 and then place your stick against the spring plate in the corresponding position. This is in the notes. Then you can fine tune from there.

Posted by: HalfMoon Jun 2 2014, 05:52 PM

[/quote]
I like that technique in theory. I never need to use it because I have my own that works, but my technique is in no way the end all be all way to go. Many have found the bungy method to be very easy and worthwhile.

If 4/5 are missing, that means that you are hitting the right side limit of motion before you are getting to the 4/5 plain. So, you need to rotate the tunnel shaft towards the left a little. That moves the 4/5 plain back within the limits of your stick.

Easier, place car into 2 or 3 and then place your stick against the spring plate in the corresponding position. This is in the notes. Then you can fine tune from there.
[/quote]

Spot on Doc!
Made the recommended adjustment and 4th and 5th are now working properly
And I have to say, you were right. The short shift kit coupled with all new bushings (and of course my well sorted and modified Dr. Evil transmission) have given the car a whole new feel. Much much tighter and more predictable, especially with hard downshifts at the corners where we really need to have the gear we've selected. Soon we'll be ready for Friday's at the track Summit Point Raceway.
Next project before the track, front sway bar install! We're getting there, slowly but surely

Posted by: Dr Evil Jun 2 2014, 06:41 PM

Dave, since you are tracking and have a short shift with a recently rebuilt transmission, I am going to build up one of my shifter combs for you to try out and report back on. I cant think of a better candidate I will try to get one out to you soon. You will have to drain the transmission again, but its worth it

Posted by: HalfMoon Jun 2 2014, 07:41 PM

Dood! No way?
I would be sooooo, happy to be part of the beta testing
Holy shit, I have SCORED!
I am doing a happy dance!
Oh christ....I just made a messy on my screen....