Squeaking shifter, problem found!!
 

Along with the common Targa top noise in my 87 was an annoying squeak when shifting. It sounded like a mouse being stepped on. I used the search function (can you believe it) and found lots of info on shift couplers and bushings. All of mine looked to be in good shape. The squeak was coming from the area of the shifter coupling but I could not pinpoint its source. I thought it was the rubber boot rubbing on the shaft and made plans to apply some sort of lube to it next time under the car.

While jacking the car today to check out something I noticed the belly pan directly in front of the transmission appeared to be dented. Subsequently the light in my head illuminated and I made the connection. The belly pan was pushed up and the rubber part of the shifter coupling was rubbing on it. Sure enough, opening the panel revealed that was the exact problem. I took a small piece of wood and gently nudged that floor pan down with a dead-blow hammer and all is now good. There is a nice shiny spot where that rubbing had been taking place so I think its been going on for a while.

Anyway, not that big of a deal but I thought I would add this info for others with the same problem.

You have to like easy cheap solutions. Thanks for sharing.

dude, so nice for you. like already said, you gotta love when it is a cheap simple fix of something that's been driving you nuts! i had this muffled clunk etc and short of getting out the stethescope id been everywhere in the engine to find what was rubbing, vibrating, . . . it was the new exhaust tapping on the valance which i easily cured with a litte heat and a little bend-

ahh, the joys of DIY!Drive it hard this weekend!

Next time your in looking at the shiny spot, give it a shot of primer paint.

David Duffield