Well here's my next /6 conversion problem - my shift linkage hits the headers. After some research I can A) buy a new bar B) weld a new tube to mostly straighten it out and cut the bend off C) cut the ends off and rotate them so the bend faces the ground.

If I weld a new tube in (before cutting off the bend) - does it matter where I attach it to the existing tube? Will it rotate fine as long as the ends are not moved? Or should I just have one of the guys on the forum that convert these do it for me?

A new bar is expensive and cutting the ends off makes me afraid if they are off just by a degree of ruining my shift rod.

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My shift rod had to be straightened to work with my six, I had Mark at Original Customs cut and reweld mine. Not sure if there is a write up somewhere with instructions on how to do it yourself. Seems length and orientation of the two set screw holes are the only factors.

I welded mine up! It doesn't have to look good as long as the end orientation and length is the same!

I welded up one end then tack welded the other and had someone shift while I watched the bar. I would grind off the weld and retack until I got a clean shift pattern. Then welded the rest up.

Graft in the straight section of a rear shift linkage.
It can be added behind the boot holder and rotated so that it's one bend can clear the exhaust and look like it was meant to be there.
Parts for rear shift linkage are plentiful and cheap.

Looks like it would be a really awkward shift rod if I had a rod welded on before removing the bend. I'd really need to cut at a heavy angle the ends of the new piece to be flush with the shift rod. But I'd be afraid of messing up the template if I separate the two ends before welding on a new rod.

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I just used a length of 2x4 and made blocks to hold the two ends in place and at the right length, then simply cut the bent section out and replaced it with a straight piece of tubing. Put a couple of tack welds to hold things in place, then installed and tried it out. Once I knew I could get all the gears, I threw on a few more welds for good measure.

If you are interested, Dan Root put up a thread on converting to a /6. In it he covers the shift bar.
Go to classic threads to Dan's easy way to convert to a six. Something like "back yard Bob's way". Second page of classic threads.
Tom

What I have done is to make a jig on a chunk of plywood, to index the rod as it is in stock form, with both ends in the right orientation, and length. Then the rod can be cut, with the new section providing the clearance needed, and it can go back on the plywood to be tack welded with the jig holding the three lengths in the correct orientation. It was pretty simple, and made out of junk scraps of wood.