66 shifter throw? Short or Long?

[William B.]

I Have 2 66 vettes each has a different shifter throw? One car 1st to 2nd is about 6inches of travel and the other is about 3inches of travel. Is there an adjustment to this or is it different shifters? Both appear to be stock shifters and factory muncie transmissions. Thanks for any suggestions or answers.

[Mike McKown]

Re: 66 shifter throw? Short or Long?

There are two sets of holes on your shift arms. The holes closest to the transmission shifter shaft will give you the shortest throw.

[William C.]

Re: 66 shifter throw? Short or Long?

If you plan on a PV, put it in long throw, that was the standard factory configuration. For Driving, I always used the short throw.

[William B.]

Thanks, I'll check my linkage tonight. *NM*

[george romano]

Re: 66 shifter throw? Short or Long?

Does using the "short throw" holes increase the effort required to shift the trans? I like the idea of the short throw for my 72, but I also like the soft shifter for cruising.

George

[William C.]

Re: 66 shifter throw? Short or Long?

I have never found the effort to be particularly troubling.

[mike mccagh]

Re: 66 shifter throw? Short or Long?

laws of physics mandate that the shorter throw configuration will require more efort to shift the muncie, but as clup suggest, you probably won't notice the increased effort with the short shift.mike

[Bill Stephenson]

Re: 66 shifter throw? Short or Long?

--------As well, dont assume you can change from one to the other (short to long, long to short) and still have a nice clean nuetral gate. Sometimes you can get lucky but often you need to adjust the linkage. You wouldnt think so looking at it, but that has been my experience.........Bill S

[Jack H.]

Depends on the driver...

In the normal or 'long' throw position, you can shift across the gates with a single, almost 45-degree angle, stroke albeit the throw IS longer. When set to the 'fast' shift or 'short' throw position, the crossing pattern is more stringent, wanting/demanding you make individual, H-shaped, motions to get from 2nd to 3rd, Etc.

Much depends on the shifting experience profile of the individual driver as to whether or not there's an observable difference. For those who are demanding and used to speed shifting, the change from normal to short throw pattern can be frustrating with 'blown' shift episodes until the driver has learned/mastered the difference in technique.

Those I've known who actually raced Corvettes with Muncie linkage prefered the standard or 'long' throw that allowed them to move across the gates in a single, albeit sloppy, motion.... Some, who were 'weekend warrior' drivers and made the change from normal/long to short throw, were frustrated for about 2-weeks until they became used to 'articulating' the motion of the shift lever across the gates. But, once re-trained, had no problems with the difference.

[Mike McKown]

That's a pretty accurate description

I've never seen this put in writing but it just struck a chord when I read it. My sentiments exactly. I guess I alway liked the butter smooth long throw setting. Didn't like the short throw and NEVER, EVER liked the feel of a Hurst.