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Sat Jun 28, 2008 11:29 am

I had another post requesting pics of the actual shifter. This is a description from that post

"the shifter pops out of the socket below and swivels around. This makes it almost impossible to find a gear. I have taken it apart and tried adjusting it but no luck. The ball at the end has the pin that sticks out and goes into the slot. I checked the front shift rod support (no bushing on this year) and its fine and in tact. I also removed the rear coupler and inspected it and it to is fine and tight. I'm almost thinking that the car has the wrong shifter, lockout plate or the piece that the bolts go through to hold everything together. It seems like the shifter is being pushed up and out of the socket by the spring. Almost like the distance between the cup that the spring sits in and the ball on the end is not long enough."

I thought that was originaly the problem. Thanks again for the advice and pics everyone posted. Today I bought a new shifter even though the pics helped me identify my og shifter was correct. I was hoping something was worn. It did not work. I found a washer and slid it onto the shifter before bolting the housing down and this kept it from poping out but since the washer is not curved it shifted very poorly. Does anyone have any ideas? I hate throwing parts at a car to try to fix it but i'm stumped on this one. I'm now thinking the shift rod cup is worn. Any ideas? Thanks, steve

Sat Jun 28, 2008 12:54 pm

btleboy wrote: I had another post requesting pics of the actual shifter. This is a description from that post

"the shifter pops out of the socket below and swivels around. This makes it almost impossible to find a gear. I have taken it apart and tried adjusting it but no luck. The ball at the end has the pin that sticks out and goes into the slot. I checked the front shift rod support (no bushing on this year) and its fine and in tact. I also removed the rear coupler and inspected it and it to is fine and tight. I'm almost thinking that the car has the wrong shifter, lockout plate or the piece that the bolts go through to hold everything together. It seems like the shifter is being pushed up and out of the socket by the spring. Almost like the distance between the cup that the spring sits in and the ball on the end is not long enough."

I thought that was originaly the problem. Thanks again for the advice and pics everyone posted. Today I bought a new shifter even though the pics helped me identify my og shifter was correct. I was hoping something was worn. It did not work. I found a washer and slid it onto the shifter before bolting the housing down and this kept it from poping out but since the washer is not curved it shifted very poorly. Does anyone have any ideas? I hate throwing parts at a car to try to fix it but i'm stumped on this one. I'm now thinking the shift rod cup is worn. Any ideas? Thanks, steve

These can look and feel tight, but will cause your problem. I had the same deal, go for reverse and the shifter feels like it drops too far down, then it spins around!!!

The coupler lookedd fine, but was just allowing enough excess movement for the shifter to pop out of the socket.

The rule of thumb with shift couplers is...if you don't remember replacing it, its too old.

Hope this helps?

Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:13 pm

I will order a new coupler thanks for the advice. Another thing I noticed was the shift rod coming out of the trans I think its known as a hockey stick anyway it seems loose. It seems to have play up and down left to right. Not the normal in out and rotation to select gears. Is this normal? Thanks

Sat Jun 28, 2008 6:17 pm

Sounds like the bushing is hammered.

There is a brass/rubber? bushing at the end of the nose cone. It presses in pretty snug, and should be a tight fit for the hockey stick. Shouldn't be more than ten bucks.

Sat Jun 28, 2008 7:13 pm

I think your right on. I did find a few things down in the tunnel when i shined a light down it. An old socket, a straight razor blade and piece of copper or bronze. it was about 3/4 inch long almost looked like a piece of copper pipe cut in half. except the edges looked broken instead of cut. It figures the trans would end up having to come out. :cry: