Weltmeister short shift question Options

[HalfMoon]

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

['73-914kid]

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..

[stugray]

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.

[HalfMoon]

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.

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

[bdstone914]

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.

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

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.

[HalfMoon]

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.

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

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.

Good tip. I'll remember that when I do the install (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[stugray]

You may want to put a reference mark on the shift rod to know the starting point.

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.

[bulitt]

Here's a simple method- post#2

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

[HalfMoon]

Here's a simple method- post#2

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

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

[Cap'n Krusty]

Here's a simple method- post#2

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

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

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

[HalfMoon]

Here's a simple method- post#2

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

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

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

Thanks for the tip!
D

[Brian_Boss]

Seems pretty straightforward (although the guide pins and springs look like a pita).

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.

[HalfMoon]

Seems pretty straightforward (although the guide pins and springs look like a pita).

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.

Having never unloaded those springs before, I find this to be a very valuable tip indeed (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif)

[pete000]

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.

[Dr Evil]

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).

[HalfMoon]

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).

email sent!

[HalfMoon]

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).

email sent!

Thanks for emailing me the Transmission Notes Doc!
(IMG:style_emoticons/default/smiley_notworthy.gif)

[HalfMoon]

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.

[VaccaRabite]

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

[HalfMoon]

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

Yep I've read them.