Shifter Rattle

[Rob H.]

OK, I just switched out the Hurst shifter to a repro Muncie look-a-like shifter on my '69 L36, and once I get above 65 - 70 mph the reverse lock-out handle starts to rattle like crazy (...and lets face it, she begs to be driven over 70 whenever the opportunity presents itself).

Any suggestions on how to quiet the ride or is that just the purr I'm gonna have to deal with? I am considering switching back to the Hurst with one of those "Muncie" handles with the fake lock-out handle.

Any advice is greatly appreciated.

Best,
Rob

[Verle R.]

Re: Shifter Rattle

That buzz is standard factory equipment.

I quietened the buzz with a small rubber band under the bottom of the T-handle. Pull up on the T-handle with a small rubber band around the bottom and roll it into the gap. When you release the handle it will mostly hide the band and it should dampen the buzz.

Verle

[Rob H.]

Re: Shifter Rattle

Great idea - I'll give it a try.

Thanks Verle!

Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter Rattle

Rob-----

Is the linkage mounted directly to the side of the extension housing as was the Hurst or did you install the crossmember-mounted bracket as originally used for 1969 manual trans applications?

[Dave Suesz]

Re: Shifter Rattle

Use an o-ring, then even if it shows it will look normal to anyone except those "in the know".

[Rob H.]

Re: Shifter Rattle

Hey Joe -

Yes it is...

Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter Rattle

Rob----

Well, if by "yes it is" you mean that it's bolted to the side of the extension housing, that, in my opinion, will cause more vibration and "rattle" problems with the shifter. That's why GM went to the crossmember mount in early 1966 production and kept it that way throughout the rest of the C2 period and all of the C3 period.

[Jack H.]

I've seen...

clever folks shop the hardware stores for appropriately sized THIN 'fender washers' made from clear plastic that they could manually cut down and insert between the shifter base and reverse lock-out lever. When done correctly, the mod is almost impossible to detect...

[Rob H.]

Re: Shifter Rattle

Hey Joe -

Upon review of my answer, I apologize for my vagueness. The linkage is mounted to the crossmember bracket. I understand that some rattling is normal from Verle's response, and in talking to a friend whose dad had one back in the day. Do you have the same problem with your C3? I tried the rubber band trick and it helped a bit. I sure do love the look and the way the original shifts and opposed to the Hurst.

Thanks for your help -

Best,
Rob

[Rob H.]

Re: I've seen...

Thanks Dave & Jack for the advice, I'll give it a go...

Rob

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter Rattle

Rob------

The only problem I've ever had with shifter rattling is when I otherwise had a problem with drivetrain vibration. Once that was solved, the rattling stopped completely.

As a shifter assembly get older, they may start to rattle a little bit. I've found that the best solution for this is to replace the entire shifter assembly with a new one. I've never had good success with trying to rebuild them, even when new GM parts were available. The main problem is that even if you replace all the shifter lower end parts, there will be wear found on the "blade" at the bottom of the shifter lever, the most expensive part of the whole shifter assembly. If you replace all the lower parts + the shifter lever you have a completely NEW shifter except that it's not factory assembled and it costs more.

I prefer a factory shifter to ALL others. I prefer a crossmember bracket-mounted shifter to an extension housing mounted shifter. It is true that the extension housing mounted shifter will enable more positive shifting. To me, though, it's a poor trade-off for a street car.