Shifter throw long on my '64

[Michael J.]

In driving my recently acquired L76 '64 roadster, I have been comparing it to my '67 L71 coupe. One thing is that the shifter throw, particularly from 1st to 2nd, and 3rd to 4th is much longer than my '67. They are both Muncies of course, both M21s so was the throw on the early cars that much longer than the later ones? I have heard from my mechanic that you can adjust the throw, which may explain the differences, but since the '64 passed PV, etc. I hate to change anything that would disqualify it in the future judging. Thanks for any insights.

[Mike M.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

the long throw position is manditory to pass a PV as the midyears with muncies left st louis in the long throw mode. mike

[Duke W.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

I think the '64 Muncies have the two holes in the shift rods like '67, but I don't think the position can be seen in Flight judging. I never did like the short throw on the ones I tried... thought it was too notchy.

Also, your hand should be able to move the shifter faster than your foot can move the clutch pedal, so I've always preferred the standard rather than short throw.

Duke

[Michael H.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

Michael,

The shifter for 64 was unique. Unlike 65 and later, there was no choice in the length of the lever travel. The transmission mounted levers had only one hole for the rods in 64.

Starting in 65, the levers each had two holes for the rod.

The length of the lever movement for 64 was slightly shorter than the length of 65 and later when the rods were connected to the upper holes in the levers. That would be the position of the rods at assembly at the factory.

[Michael J.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

Thanks Mike, good to know, have never had the '67 in PV yet, so now I know! Cheers!

[Michael J.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

Thanks for the info guys, very helpful!

[Stuart F.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

For those of us who cut our teeth shifting passenger car 4 speeds in the late 50's and early 60's. the Corvettes of those years and succeeding years were a pleasure to drive. I have no fears or hesitations to power shift my 63 Muncie to this day, whereas I missed a few in my 56/210 and 57/Bel Air w/B.W.'s with the curvey levers we had back then, and only power shifted in close races when the extra adrenaline was flowing.

I think the transmission mounted shift levers (57 -63) have a better feel to them and, if nothing else, if your tach wasn't working too well you could shift by the sound of the vibration, Ha!

Stu Fox

[Michael J.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

Ha! You got that right Stuart, one thing common in the L71 and the L76 is that vibration. Guess back in the day, nobody cared about isolating the engine/drivetrain from the frame and cabin of a car. But it always is a bit of a shock when I get into my old ones, after driving the new 6 speeds with such short throws and tight patterns. The description of "rowing through the gears" is very appropriate, those throws are sooooo long......

[Michael H.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

Dave Cardina's Jan 64 has the holes for the short throw. He called today to tell me that. Dave bought the car new. JD

JD.... I have to question that. My brand new Feb 1964 built car didn't have the levers with two holes.

[Michael J.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

OK, I have checked mine, it is on the lift, it is a Dec. 7, '63 build (39,000 miles) and it doesn't have the two holes either.

[John D.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

I am going to delete my post on the shift Hanson.

[Michael H.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

I am going to delete my post on the shift Hanson.

Chefart....

You should have left your post up so we could get more input from others. That way we can learn if some 64's had levers with both holes. I doubt that occurred though. Glad I included your original post with my reply.

[Alan D.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

March 1964; single holes. Removed shifter in 1968 & used Hurst until 2006 so its in great shape.

[Michael H.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

In a previous post, I mentioned that I thought the 64 levers with one hole for the rod positioned the rod somewhere between the location of the two holes that 65-67 levers have. That would make the travel/arc of the 64 shift lever somewhere between the long and short travel/arc of 65-67.
Does anyone happen to have one of each (64 and 65-67) handy to compare?

I always liked the short throw of 65 and later when the rods were in the lower holes even though it's... not original.

Edit: I just looked in the Noland Adams book. He has drawings of the 64 and 65 shift levers. I was wrong. The dimension from the C/L of the attaching hole for the rod and the mounting hole is 3.80" for both levers for both 64 and 65. (and probably later)
Drawings are on pages 235 and 292.

[Alan D.]

Re: Shifter throw long on my '64

Here are the later shifter levers; Notice the marks on back side.
The earlier, 64, are still on car so no side by side pictures.