65, 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

When did the General change from transmission mount to frame mount shifter linkages?

Mark

[Joe L.]

Re: 65, 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters

Mark-----

The change occured during earlier 1966. Early 1966s still used the transmission mount; later 1966 and thereafter used the frame bracket mounted.

[Mark S. Lovejoy]

Thanks Joe *NM*

[Gary Wilkerson]

Re: 65, 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters

Mark,

My 66 #110505 built approx. Jan 7 has the shifter mounted to the tranny. Hope this helps

Gary

[Bill S.]

Re: 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters -- quieter?

I have a early 66 and have a shifter rattle that will not go away after many attempts to quieten it. Will the frame mount eliminate this very annoying buzz at speeds avove 55 and when the engine is pulling???
thanks
Bill

[Michael H.]

Re: 65, 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters

Mark,

I have a GM Technical Service Bulletin that states "All Corvettes produced after 3-21-66 will have the crossmember mounted shifter.

[Michael H.]

Re: 66 Shifter TSB *NM*

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters -- quieter?

Bill-----

Yes, the frame mounted shifter will go a long way towards reducing the annoying noise you're experiencing. Plus, you can retrofit the frame mount to any 64-66 not originally so-equipped. The linkage is the same. All you need to acquire is the shifter bracket which is GM-discontinued but available in reproduction.

If I ever purchased a 64 or 65 Corvette, one of the first things that I would do would be to add the frame-mounted bracket. The VERY first thing I would do, of course, would be to remove side exhaust if the car had that. But, right after that, I'd add the shifter mounting bracket.

Some folks think that the transmission-mounted shifter provides a more positive shift. To some degree that's true. However, I haven't thrown a speed shift or power shift since 1969 and I don't intend to in the future, either. The quiet provided by the frame mount is, in my opinion, WAY more important. WAY, WAY more important. Every C-2/C-3 Corvette since mid-1966 has had the frame-mounted shifter.

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters -- quieter?

So Joe - was that power shift on your 69 vette? Craig

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 Shifter TSB

Mike - very interesting!! So my 66 427/425, Vin 16721, which currently has a Hurst 4 speed shifter, but I have a correct GM shifter, AND bracket.......apparently shouldn't based on your note since it was produced on March 16, 1966. I think I will install it as Joe suggests though.......for the comfort of the quiet operation ....... Craig

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters -- quieter?

Craig-----

No, it was in my 1968 Chevelle SS 396 L-78/M-22. I did it for the benefit of some of my cousins in the LA area. These guys were "gearheads" that used to love to see me powershift. They lived near the Pomona drag strip and used to race there. To this day, whenever I see them they always bring up how I used to powershift and how they never saw anyone do it the way I could. After I sold that car, though, I never threw a powershift again.

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 & 67 4 Speed Shifters -- quieter?

Memories

[Jim T.]

Re: 66 Shifter TSB

Michael thanks for sharing the information about the shifter location. A co-worker just mentioned today that he was going to look for original shifter for a 66 to replace the Hurst shifter.

[Craig S.]

Re: 66 Shifter TSB

Jim - vette products of Michigan makes a great repop.....Craig