Question for the gear shift experts: big scrap in R-1st shift plane on side shifter Options

[raynekat]

I've got a 71 914-4 that I converted to a 914-6.
The problem is a very loud annoying squeak when I'm in the R-1st plane.
Something is really scraping badly.
Pulled the shifter which looks to have been changed out from an early shifter to a later shifter.
Greased it very well and that didn't seem to help.

So I looked a bit deeper and put a flashlight in the tunnel where the shifter sits pointing backwards.
Using a small mirror about 6-9" rearward, I see that the shift rod goes through a circular opening in a small bulkhead that is welded into the tunnel.

Looks like the scraping/squeaking is when the rod is hitting the edge of the circular opening in the bulkhead in the R-1st plane.
If you don't pull the lever all the way to the left, then you don't hear the scrape.

Is this typical of a side shifter conversion for an early 914?
Am I shifting incorrectly by pulling the lever hard to the left for the R-1st plane?
Does that bulkhead need to be removed by opening up the shift tunnel from above?

Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

[mepstein]

Wont a jigsaw blade come close to the metal tubes?
What about a die grinder with a small cutting disk?

[raynekat]

Wont a jigsaw blade come close to the metal tubes?
What about a die grinder with a small cutting disk?

Yeah, I'll likely try that.
Certainly don't want to cut anything valuable inside the tunnel.
I'll be looking a lot inside with my mirror as I go.
Should be quite doable.
Will happen this weekend.
The scraping while shifting is driving me crazy on this car.

[Superhawk996]

Wont a jigsaw blade come close to the metal tubes?
What about a die grinder with a small cutting disk?

Yeah, I'll likely try that.
Certainly don't want to cut anything valuable inside the tunnel.
I'll be looking a lot inside with my mirror as I go.
Should be quite doable.
Will happen this weekend.
The scraping while shifting is driving me crazy on this car.

@raynekat

I'll tell you from experience that there is only 2-3 mm of clearance between the floorpan and these control tubes near that bracket.

Be careful in there

I have a picture of that are in sideview in my build thread.



Thin grey on bottom is floorpan edge view. Closest tube is the clutch cable tube, the smaller one behind it is the throttle cable tube and there is only 2-3mm clearance to the floorpan.

If you cut a hatch flap, it needs to be biased toward the passenger side to avoid the tubes.