Thread: Project $ 3 K Is Underway

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The tranny showed up the other day. I put the new shifter assembly on it for a trial fit and it luckily is exactly the same as the dummy tranny I used to build it. I was worried that there might be some minor differences, even though they are both turbo 350's.

One thing I was real interested in was how the detents inside the 350 would "click into gear" when I moved the shift handle. While there is a pretty good hold on the shifter when it is in one gear or another, I am still going to put an additional detent on the shifter itself. I think it needs to be a real positive click into each gear so it won't ever slip out of any gear. I still have to pick up some 1/4 inch rod ends to use to make up a permanent shift rod between the shifter handle and the transmission shift lever. (I just made up a quick one from some scrap steel to see how it would work. The throw through the entire range from park to low gear is just about right. I also ordered two special little nuts from Lokar that slip into the two depressions on either side of the trans to hold the shifter mount in place. I could have used 3/8 inch nuts, but the ones from Lokar hammer into place and lock down better.

Some minor tweaking , adding a neutral safety switch, and I will be done with that part of the build. I measured, and the shift handle is going to stick sort of high out of the cockpit, which is ok with me. I'll just look like one of Ed Roths cartoons when I am going down the road.


Don

you could use a ball bearing and load it with a spring and load the spring with a set screw if you want more presure is would be on the stick part of the shifter.you would mark out out trans detants on a half moon plate mark detants were they hit and drill and debur with a smaller hole then the size of the ball the half moon plate would be welded to the base

Pat, that is precisely what I came up with too. I went around work looking for a stray ball bearing today, and we keep tossing old stuff out, so I am going to the hardware store to see if they have one. Our Service Manager tells me they carry different ones (I can't imagine why a hardware store would carry them) but if not, I will just tear something apart that has some bearings in it and get one of those. I like your idea about loading it with a set screw to increase/decrease pressure. I will make up a tube to hold the bearing, spring, and set screw, and weld it to the bottom of the shift handle, so it rubs on the larger of the two brackets. Some little depressions drilled into the bracket for the ball bearing to rest in, and I should be good to go.

Thanks for the tip.

Don

yes a tube would work good i was going to post that

yes a tube would work good i was going to post that . or drill out some round stock and tap for the set screw or a block of steel would not have to be round and drill it on the set screw side for a small cotter key to keep it from dumping out if it backs out

Wow Denny, one of these would be perfect. Wonder how I can score just one of these? Do you think they sell retail and have no minimum, or is there another source that might be retail?

Would save me alot of figuring, and is all in one piece. Great idea. Thanks,


Don

enco ball plungers or short spring plungers #3/8 #505-4372 or standard spring plungers 3/8 #505-4256 or 240-0615

yes this is the way to go less work. did buy some of the bullets nose pins for a job

Yep, we have one called BOB DEAN SUPPLY. I'll phone them up tomorrow. I have to run by there anyway to pick up two small rod ends for the shift linkage, so maybe they carry these too.

Great suggestion, kind of an all in one part.

Don

the standard spring plungers is the one i would look for. you can move the load on the spring with a set screw

Don
If your hardware store dosen't have them thers a place in Chicago that does and you can order them over the phone
# 1-630-833-0300
McMaster-Carr Supply Co.
They sell them seperatly and under $3.00 each

Charlie, Denny, and Pat. You guys just saved me a whole lot of fabricating. Thank you. I called the McMaster Co, because everybody I called locally thought I was from Mars, and she knew right away what I wanted, I will have it Tuesday. I upgraded to the brass one for longevity,so it was $ 9.60, but still a bargain. They have no minimum either.

I owe you guys a beer.

Don

Just glad I could help
Charlie

I've found if I take my heart meds with a beer they work better.


Don

Sometimes its better to beg forgivness than ask permission.
To tell the truth I can't remember what beer tastes like I haven't had a drink since 85. Quit smoking same time. I guess if I look out in the shops I'll see where my money has been going.