914-6 Conversion Shift Linkage Question, Straight or Bent? Let the opinions fly Options

[John]

I am about to fabricate some rear shift linkages for some -6 conversions, and have been seeing a slight bend in the rear shift rod.

When I did the conversion 13+ years ago, it was common(?) for the shift rod to be absolutely straight as is confirmed by my existing shift rod. We purchased the straight rod from a vendor in CA 13 or 14 years ago possibly from Galen Bieker and it has worked well for both the original 901 side-shifter as well as the current 915 (vellios) transmission.

My main questions are:

1. Is there a need for the shift rod to have a slight bend?
2. Does the slight bend help minimize binding in the bushings?
3. Is the bend to avoid bumping into the bottom of the engine case?
4. What is the location of the slight bend(s)?
5. Is there 2 slight bends or is there just one?

Pics would be very helpful.

Otherwise, I'll continue to make up straight ones and verify that they work with my existing 914-6 conversion.

Thanks for your input.

[John]

So I have a couple for straight (me and 736conver) and I have a couple for slight (or more) bent.

The one that PMS pushes (and we didn't use and he wouldn't take back) has a slight bend about 6" from the front (firewall) end. James uses a steering shaft universal joint at the firewall (which we again did not use as there was no provision to install the dust boot). I think that the slight bend is to simply clear the engine case.

I do recall that I did some slight grinding on the bottom of our case when I installed my straight shift rod many years ago. Perhaps if the engine and trans were not bolted solidly into the chassis, I would need a bend as the engine would move around.....

I think I'm going to make mine straight. I could always put a slight bend in it if needed.