Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

[Pat Bush #35083]

Hello all -

Question - The transmission in my 73 is a 76 Super T-10 (not my doing) and has been freshly rebuilt/installed w/new everything. The mechanic working on the car says that the shifter linkage is wrong for this transmission -- it is tough shifting into second although all the other gears are OK (makes sense to me since the car should have a Muncie M20 and knowing the prior owners, they replaced the tranny but not the shifter/linkage).

The question is:

If I purchase a new shifter/linkage kit for a 76 Vette will it bolt right in to my 73 or will there be 'adjustments' necessary? Also, will this work to solve my problem?

Thanks in advance -

Pat

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Pat------

Even though the transmissions were different, the shifter assembly for a 1973 and a 1976 are the same. For 1977-81 the shifter assembly changed slightly. However, the only difference for even these later years was a slight change in the configuration of the shifter lever to accomodate the changed console design of 1977; the rest of the shifter was unchanged.

However, there are slight differences in the LINKAGE between the Muncie transmissions used from 1963 through mid 74 and the linkage used for the mid-74 onward T-10s. So, you really should need only to obtain a LINKAGE set for a 76 to make things right in your car. These linkage sets are available from reproduction sources for about $80. Linkage SETS were never available from GM and the individual pieces are no longer available from GM.

The linkage set from a 76 should install perfectly in your 73 application with 76 T-10 transmission. The only other items that you will need are the bracket and rod for the back-up lamp switch. These are different for the T-10 application, although the switch, itself, is the same. These parts are GM-discontinued but I think that they are available in reproduction.

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Pat------

Even though the transmissions were different, the shifter assembly for a 1973 and a 1976 are the same. For 1977-81 the shifter assembly changed slightly. However, the only difference for even these later years was a slight change in the configuration of the shifter lever to accomodate the changed console design of 1977; the rest of the shifter was unchanged.

However, there are slight differences in the LINKAGE between the Muncie transmissions used from 1963 through mid 74 and the linkage used for the mid-74 onward T-10s. So, you really should need only to obtain a LINKAGE set for a 76 to make things right in your car. These linkage sets are available from reproduction sources for about $80. Linkage SETS were never available from GM and the individual pieces are no longer available from GM.

The linkage set from a 76 should install perfectly in your 73 application with 76 T-10 transmission. The only other items that you will need are the bracket and rod for the back-up lamp switch. These are different for the T-10 application, although the switch, itself, is the same. These parts are GM-discontinued but I think that they are available in reproduction.

[Pat Bush #35083]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Thanks Joe! The shifter assembly is pretty worn too but it is nice to know all I need to do is change the linkage. Is this a tough job? Trannies are not my forte which is why I took it to a shop in the first place but I need to recover from all this work(and dollars).

Thanks for all your help!

Pat

[Pat Bush #35083]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Thanks Joe! The shifter assembly is pretty worn too but it is nice to know all I need to do is change the linkage. Is this a tough job? Trannies are not my forte which is why I took it to a shop in the first place but I need to recover from all this work(and dollars).

Thanks for all your help!

Pat

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Pat------

It's not difficult to install the linkage, but some adjustment is required for the linkage and shifter assembly when new linkage is installed. The adjustment can be the tricky part. The shifter assembly for your application is GM-discontinued, but it's available from reproduction sources like Dr. Rebuild for about $250.

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Pat------

It's not difficult to install the linkage, but some adjustment is required for the linkage and shifter assembly when new linkage is installed. The adjustment can be the tricky part. The shifter assembly for your application is GM-discontinued, but it's available from reproduction sources like Dr. Rebuild for about $250.

[Patrick H.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Kits to rebuild the shifter mechanisms are available through some Corvette parts suppliers as well. I've installed one in the 71 and it seemed to help quite a bit.

Patrick

[Patrick H.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Kits to rebuild the shifter mechanisms are available through some Corvette parts suppliers as well. I've installed one in the 71 and it seemed to help quite a bit.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Patrick------

Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. The major problem is that the kits don't include the shifter LEVER. The lever has a blade-like engagement device on the bottom of it. This part wears. Sometimes, when you combine the new parts from the kit with the worn shifter lever, you end up with more problems than you had before you replaced any parts. I've been down that road. But, it's worth a shot. The only thing is that if it doesn't work to one's satisfaction, then you're out the cost of the parts and you still have to buy a new shifter assembly anyway.

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter and Linkage 76 T-10 vs. 73 Muncie M20

Patrick------

Sometimes it does and sometimes it doesn't. The major problem is that the kits don't include the shifter LEVER. The lever has a blade-like engagement device on the bottom of it. This part wears. Sometimes, when you combine the new parts from the kit with the worn shifter lever, you end up with more problems than you had before you replaced any parts. I've been down that road. But, it's worth a shot. The only thing is that if it doesn't work to one's satisfaction, then you're out the cost of the parts and you still have to buy a new shifter assembly anyway.