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914World.com _ 914World Garage _ Shift linkage fix -6 conversion:
Posted by: Retroracer Dec 6 2020, 03:47 PM
All - so on the way home from WCR2020 I noticed issues with shifting in the 1st/reverse plane, accompanied by what felt like metal / metal contact (grinding). For reference, its an early chassis (1970) previously converted (in a former life) to side shift. I made it home and found the following:
The link rod as it sits in the bulkhead has a 24.8mm dia., and when I did the -6 conversion I replaced the nylon bushing with a new one and assumed all was well....! The recent failure seemed to be the new bushing had deformed/worn, allowing the front linkage to scrape internally when the shift lever was pushed hard over to the left.
I ordered one of the Tangerine Racing spherical bushings, which - on the surface - seemed like the perfect part for the job. When the part arrived, it was clearly designed for a narrower diameter shaft at the bulkhead exit. I extracted the front linkage to examine, and it has been modified with what looks like an outer tube welded over the narrower internal bar - so the bigger diameter is only for 6" or so. So - questions the group brain for best solution:
1) Do I have to de-modify (in other words find a stock) front shift linkage to make it work with the TR spherical bush? Don't think having the outer turned down in a lathe is a great idea...
2) Is there an alternate larger dia bushing that lasts longer than the 6000 miles of the nylon one from a known good source? Then I can keep the front linkage bar as is....
3) should that front linkage actually be straight? Or should there be some kind of kink in it to avoid that internal interference in the central tunnel? (and hence less pressure/wear on the bushing)
4) Should I try and ream out the TR spherical bushing to accept the larger tube? <grimace emoji> Am hesitant to try this as I think the front shaft is the issue not the bushing design.
Any and all wisdom and/or pointers to reference posts welcome
- Tony
Pics of the modified front link for reference:
Posted by: ChrisFoley Dec 7 2020, 09:58 AM
That looks like part of an early tailshift rod, which would have fit ok in one of the tailshift firewall bushings.
What you need is a stock sideshift tunnel rod.
I don't think my bearing can be opened up that far.
Posted by: Retroracer Dec 7 2020, 09:59 AM
Or... in the above photos: is that tube likely just slid over the original shift rod and welded at each end? So if I grind the welds off can I just remove it, assuming the rod below it is in one piece?
HELP! Advice needed....
- Tony
Posted by: Retroracer Dec 7 2020, 10:00 AM
That looks like part of an early tailshift rod, which would have fit ok in one of the tailshift firewall bushings.
What you need is a stock sideshift tunnel rod.
I don't think my bearing can be opened up that far.
Perfect - thx Chris.
So - anyone have a spare early tail shift front rod they want to sell?
- Tony
Posted by: Luke M Dec 7 2020, 10:14 AM
That looks like part of an early tailshift rod, which would have fit ok in one of the tailshift firewall bushings.
What you need is a stock sideshift tunnel rod.
I don't think my bearing can be opened up that far.
Perfect - thx Chris.
So - anyone have a spare early tail shift front rod they want to sell?
- Tony
Pm Bruce @ bdstone914
I purchased one from him a few months ago.
Posted by: mepstein Dec 7 2020, 10:29 AM
That looks like part of an early tailshift rod, which would have fit ok in one of the tailshift firewall bushings.
What you need is a stock sideshift tunnel rod.
I don't think my bearing can be opened up that far.
Perfect - thx Chris.
So - anyone have a spare early tail shift front rod they want to sell?
- Tony
If you don't find one local, I'll pull the one out of my parts car and sell it for the cost of shipping. PM me if you want it.
Posted by: ChrisFoley Dec 7 2020, 04:54 PM
is that tube likely just slid over the original shift rod and welded at each end? So if I grind the welds off can I just remove it, assuming the rod below it is in one piece?
Not likely.
Posted by: ChrisFoley Dec 7 2020, 04:55 PM
So - anyone have a spare early tail shift front rod they want to sell?
- Tony
Sideshift!
Posted by: mepstein Dec 7 2020, 05:04 PM
I might have the side shift rod. I’ll check tomorrow
Posted by: rhodyguy Dec 7 2020, 05:10 PM
The rest of the linkage assem is SS?
Posted by: Retroracer Dec 7 2020, 06:07 PM
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=209 - oops, thx for the correction.
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=10825 - thanks for the offer, pursuing one through Mr Stone who says he has one.
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=378 - the rest of the linkage is PMS side shift, with a bronze bushing in the console.
- Tony
Posted by: Cairo94507 Dec 7 2020, 06:43 PM
I second Bruce - I just returned a set of shift rods for a side-shifter to him that I did not need.
Posted by: mepstein Dec 8 2020, 04:56 PM
Tony- here’s what I have. Tell me what you want and pm me your address and I’ll get it in the mail. Mark
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=16100
Attached thumbnail(s)
Posted by: ChrisFoley Dec 8 2020, 05:00 PM
The two ziptied together don't belong together.
The three black ones are side-shift tunnel rods.
The two bottom ones are tail-shift tunnel rods.
Posted by: Retroracer Dec 8 2020, 08:28 PM
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=209 - thx for the ID'ing the line up there
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=10825 - Mark, the third from the bottom looks like what's needed. Really appreciate you doing this.
Love this forum!
- Tony
Posted by: mepstein Dec 8 2020, 09:41 PM
Tony - Sounds good.
Posted by: JmuRiz Dec 9 2020, 10:27 AM
Mark, feel like getting rid of one of the side-shift conversion rods?
I haven't gotten/made one yet 
Posted by: Retroracer Dec 24 2020, 05:01 PM
Follow up: so the new front link rod arrived from @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=10825 - many thanks Mark - and fits the Tangerine Racing bushing perfectly. So after some analysis and re-engineering, am happy to report that shifting is now possible again!
The rear linkage I bought from PMS (I guess) was intended for later cars, and the alignment of it in my car never really looked right. I ended up re-drilling the shift cup alignment hole, effectively "clocking" the rear linkage by 90deg, which made all the difference. Clearances to a couple of spots on the engine were close before, now much better.
Some pics (I should have taken before I took it off the axle stands <slaps forehead>):
Back on the road. Thanks to @http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=209 and all who contributed.
- Tony
Posted by: mepstein Dec 24 2020, 05:30 PM
Mark, feel like getting rid of one of the side-shift conversion rods?
I haven't gotten/made one yet
Nathan -Sorry, I missed your post. Just let me know what you need and your address and I'll send it over.
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=50
Posted by: mepstein Dec 24 2020, 05:35 PM
BTW, Jim Kelly from Delaware gave me the shift rods and a couple side shift engine bars. So I'm not selling them, just passing them along to people who need them.
@http://www.914world.com/bbs2/index.php?showuser=2460
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