How to tell short shifter?

ecm911 · 07-11-2006, 04:29 PM

Quick ?

I have a 915 shifter removed from a 78SC. Some suggested it may be a short shifter. How can I tell? I have never seen one.

The shifter knob is not factory its black leather.

Thanks
Earl

SlantnoseSD · SlantnoseSD's Garage

If its real tight to get into 2nd then its probably a short shifter

ecm911 · 07-11-2006, 05:03 PM

SlantnoseSD,

thanks for the quick reply. But the shifter is not installed in a car.

Nutmeg911 · 07-11-2006, 05:12 PM

ecm911, go to Seine systems website and they have a chart with dimensions for all the shifters used in the 911, you should be able to determine which shifter you have, very good site lots of info, I believe the option code is M241, but thats for an 85', I don't know if they used the same code for all years.

dentist90 · dentist90's Garage

Try this...

This was taken from my 84 and is a short shift lever. Hole to end of ball is about 60mm. A regular shifter will be a few mm less (ie. hole will be closer to ball end). Try this measurement 1st and see what you've got.

dd74 · 07-11-2006, 05:32 PM

The key is if what you have is a factory short shifter. That's something you definitely want to hold onto -- ur...so to speak.

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

dentist90 - I know NOTHING about short shifters but if that hole-to-end distance is the only difference, why couldn't a person weld that hole shut, grind smooth and re-drill as a short shifter? Anyone know if this would work?

dentist90 · dentist90's Garage

That's not the only difference... the shifter guide plate (fork) and the pivot housing are also drilled differently so that the ball ends up in the shift lever cup while still using the original housing. If you tried to use the original pivot housing the ball would end up below the cup. The shift lever difference is the easiest to measure and explain.
BTW, Earl... shift knob won't give you any hints about what's below. More a matter of personal taste.

dentist90 · dentist90's Garage

The shifter guide plate on a short shift looks like this. A reg shift should have opening marked in red:

The pivot housing on a short shift has a convex upper surface with the hole offset. A reg shift will have a symmetrical housing with the hole centered:

Dan in Pasadena · Dan in Pasadena's Garage

Thanks

...and all that stuff still looks like it would be relatively easily modifiable from the factory parts...or am I being unrealistically optimistic?

yelcab1 · 07-12-2006, 07:00 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by Dan in Pasadena
Thanks

...and all that stuff still looks like it would be relatively easily modifiable from the factory parts...or am I being unrealistically optimistic?

It is your car, and you got the shifter in your hands. Go for it. What is the worst thing that can happen? YOu'll buy another for cheap.