66 shifter

[Joe Giannovario]

I've got a 66 big block roadster and the transmission is very hard to shift. It looks like the shifter mech. is worn out. It also appears that a previous owner installed a 67 shifter (frame mount). (Note: the trans was rebuilt, so it's not an internal problem.)

So, I'm looking for a serviceable 64-66 shifter that mounts to the transmission as original. Anybody got one for sale?

[Gary Schisler]

Re: 66 shifter

Just a note here. Late 66 cars had the frame mount for the shifter mechanism. I believe that the Judging Manual may have the approximate serial number that this started with. So, you may not have an incorrect mechanism if your serial number is correct. BTW, my 66 small block, serial number 18,XXX has the frame mount. You can mount either one; my car came with a Hurst and then I subsequently put in the correct original mechanism. Also, Corvette Fever magazine had a good article on rebuilding the mechanism. I think there was also an article in The Restorer magazine.

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 shifter

Joe----

A few comments regarding your questions:

1) Like Gary says, your 66 could have been originally equipped with a frame mount shifter control. Even if it wasn't, I'd recommend the the frame mount anyway if you drive the car. The frame mount is far superior with respect to vibration and linkage movement reduction. I'm usually a stickler on originality (I was this way even before it was popular), but where a significant improvement can be made by a slight, barely noticeable mod, I'll usually go for it. If you determine that your car was originally a trans mount and you plan for it to be an essentially non-driven "trailer queen", by all means go for strict originality.

2)Even if you convert to the trans mount, the control assembly is the same; all you need is the trans mount plate and appropriate fastners. The mount plate is no longer available from GM, but you shouldn't have much difficulty finding one; they were used on a lot of pre-66 GM cars with 4-speeds.

3)If you determine that your linkage is in bad repair, I would have to recommend purchasing a new, reproduction assembly. I tried rebuilding my 69 linkage once upon a time. I replaced virtually all of the parts with new GM parts, then still available. About the only part that remained from the original was the chromed shifter lever. After I completed the rebuild, I was unsatisfied with the shifter performance; it was tighter but "notchy". Turns out that the shifter lever had a certain amount of wear on the "blade" at the bottom, but this wear had ocurred in "harmony" with wear on the other parts. When I replaced the other parts, the "blade" wear caused problems with the new parts. I replaced the shifter assembly with a new GM unit and all was sweetness and light. Just like a new car again.

4)Unfortunately, just because your transmission was "rebuilt", I would not discount it as the source of your hard shifting problems. Many internal parts for Muncie transmissions are no longer available, incredibly expensive, or poor "reproductions", so rebuilders ahve to "make do". Currently available, aftermarket brass blocking rings(synchros) can be problematic. That's why I stocked up on all internal Muncie parts when they were still available. My original trans will be thus "immortal".

[Joe G]

Re: 66 shifter

Thanks guys for the input, especially about late serial number cars. My car is very late production.

As for the internals, trust me, it's the shifter. We used all A#1 parts. I'll look for a good repro frame mount.