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]

I started out and made a jig from an original shift rod and tried several (about 5) other original shift rods. Each of the shift rods were slightly different. Only 2 fit nicely in the jig.

There is some offset between the ends of a stock 4-cyl side shift bar (which is why I asked the question in the first place).

I ended up taking my known to work (for the last 13-14 years) shift rod (straight) out of the converted car and made a jig from it instead.


I may try some slight bends to see if they make any difference since nobody seems to know a definitive answer.