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| Is your shifter so loose that you sometimes have to hunt for each gear?
Do you have to make a perfect shift pattern to get it into gear? Does
the shift handle move around so much that you feel like you are
stirring a mystery brew with a spoon? These symptoms all point to a
worn shift mechanism. Through use the levers and pins all wear causing
hard or sloppy shifting. The only thing you use to be able to do was
buy a new shifter and mechanism, but that has all changed. Zip Products, Inc.,
8067 Fast Lane, Mechanicsville, VA 23111, 1-800-962-9632, has come up
with the perfect solution, a 4-Speed Shifter Rebuild Kit. These Kits
cover the years from 64 to 81 and eliminate the need to replace the
shifter and mechanism. This is really a complete rebuild kit. It
includes instructions, a new ball, reverse T-handle with rod, springs,
shafts, pins and two different interlock levers to tighten up the
mechanism. The best part about this Kit is that it is inexpensive and
relatively easy to do. Our Project 77 had an extremely worn shifter in
it so we ordered a new Rebuild Kit from Zip. The installation was easy,
only took about 4 hours, and made our sloppy shifter into a real slick
shifter. Now let’s get our hands dirty and rebuild that 4-speed shifter. |
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01: This is the complete 4-Speed Shifter Rebuild Kit.
You will also need some parts: cleaning solvent (mineral spirits will
work), white lithium grease, chrome polish, normal hand tools, jack,
jack stands and a shop manual for your year Corvette. Shop Manuals are
also available from Zip. |
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02: Here is the complete shift mechanism, rods and
mounting bracket out of our 77 Corvette. You do not have to take the
mounting bracket out, but we did to show you how it all looks and goes
together. Start by removing the ball, spring, T-handle and reverse rod. |
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03: Now remove the shift rods. Make a diagram or
mental note so that you know which rod goes where. The E clip can now
be removed from the mechanism shaft. |
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04: Slide the shaft out and separate the shift handle from the mechanism.
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05: The shift handle can now be removed from the
bracket. Remove the spring clip and slide the pin out of the handle and
bracket. The shift handle can now be pulled out of the bracket from the
bottom. We had to remove a nut and bolt on our shifter. It had been
repaired with a 1/4” bolt and nut instead of the correct pin and spring
clip. |
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06: The shift levers and interlock can be removed
from the bracket. Again, make a diagram or mental note so that you
remember how each lever is placed in the bracket. Here is our shifter
and mechanism totally disassembled with all the pieces displayed. |
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07: Thoroughly clean all of the levers and brackets in
a parts solvent (mineral spirits will work). The cleaner the better.
Check all parts not supplied in the Kit for cracks, wear or damage.
These parts are usually all reusable but if any are damaged, contact
Zip for replacements. |
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08: We wanted everything to look new so we sprayed the levers, brackets and shift rods with Eastwood’s Spray gray. |
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09: Now is a good time to also polish the shift lever.
A little of The Wax Shop’s Metal Polish will bring the chrome lustre
back and make the shift lever look new. |
| {mosgoogle} |
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10: When all of the parts are clean and dry, start
the re-assembly. First start by lubricating both sides of the levers
and the thinnest interlock where they touch each other with white
lithium grease. Now place them into the lever bracket in their correct
order and check for looseness from side to side. If it is loose, remove
the thin interlock lever and replace it with the thicker one supplied.
These two interlock levers allow you to take the play out of any loose
lever assembly and return it to a tight stock feel. Also remember to
lubricate the inside of the bracket. |
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11: Lubricate the inside of the shift lever bracket,
shift lever and pin. Slide the shift lever into the bracket from the
bottom. Line up the hole in the bracket and lever and install the pin
and clip. |
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12: Now you will slide the shift handle bracket into
the shift lever bracket. Keep the shift lever falling to the left side
of the interlock (when looking from the back of the shifter). When they
are aligned, install the shaft and lock into place with the E clip.
NOTE: This is the hardest part of the whole assembly. Patience is the
Key. Take your time. Remember to lubricate all the areas where the two
brackets meet and keep the slot in the shift levers lined up during
re-assembly. |
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13: Install the shift rods with new spring clips. Do
not use cotter keys. These spring clips do not come with the Shifter
Rebuild Kit but are available from Zips separately. Also remember to
lubricate all mounting points with white lithium grease. |
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14: Re-install the shifter mechanism into the car as
per your shop manual. Now is the perfect time to replace those worn or
split shift boots. Remember you can have both an upper and lower shift
boot. Place the T-handle with lockout rod and spring into the shifter
handle. |
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15: Install the new supplied shift ball to complete
the assembly. Now take your Corvette out and see what a new shift
mechanism feels like. |
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SLICK SHIFTING :
64-81 CORVETTE 4-SPEED SHIFTER REBUILD
by: Greg Donahue
photos by: Author
SOURCE:
Zip Products, Inc.
8067 Fast Lane
Mechanicsville, VA 23111
(800) 962-9632
PARTS LIST:
The Author would like to thank Scott Coral of Greg Donahue Collector
Car Restorations, Inc. for his assistance with this article. |
