What shifter do I have?!?

Danny_Ocean · 12-20-2006, 06:59 PM

My car ('79 SC) has an aftermarket short-shifter installed. I took it apart and can't seem to find any identifying markings. Problem is, there is a spacer plate, appx. 1/2" thick between the shifter base and the floor of the car. I'm attempting to return my interior to stock by installing an original center console, however this "raised" shifter will not allow the console to sit flat on the floor as designed (and causes the e-brake handle to hit).

I really dislike the shifter as it is too short...you must lean forward to reach it. A few hours of driving and your neck/shoulder is toast.

Does the factory short-shifter have this spacer plate? Will a stock console fit over the factory short-shifter?

zzwhm · 12-20-2006, 07:17 PM

A photo would help, but it sounds like a weltmeister. There is no spacerplate on a factory short shifter.

Danny_Ocean · 12-20-2006, 07:39 PM

The base of the unit and the "spacer" are cast aluminum. Is there any way to retrofit a longer shift handle to the shifter? It functions perfectly, but the handle is just too short.

Pics to follow.

Gearbox · 07:44 PM

I agree, sounds like a Weltmeister. And yes, the console/boot will fit over the factory short shift kit since it doesn't change any dimensions over the stock shifter. Sounds like your driving position is with the seat full back. The factory SS kit comes with a new stick that perhaps you can have bent backwards so it wouldn't such a far reach. But it is what it is, good luck Allan BTW if you increase the length of the stick you subsequently negate the short shift kit.

Danny_Ocean · 07:50 PM

Well, I can't drive the car comfortably with the shifter the way it is. I'll have to forego the short-shifter if need be. When driving, the seat is in a normal upright position and, due to my height, the position of the seat base is more forward than back.

Gearbox · 12-20-2006, 08:13 PM

The shifter diameter is 15mm, you can get a length of 15mm I.D. tubing and increase the length to anything you want by slipping it over where the shift knob use to be and either pinning or welding it in place. I would also get a solid rod with a 15mm O.D. to slip into the top of the extension which should be pinned or welded as well. This would be where you would slip the shift knob back on. I strongly suggest the installation of the factory ss kit as the increased length will undoubtedly increase the throws. I also recall other shift kits that would give you a greater reduction of throws that might be better suited, depending upon how long you go with the extension. Good luck and let us know how you make out, Allan

Danny_Ocean · 08:44 PM

After looking at pics, it appears the spacer plate I described is the Weltmeister short-shift kit. Can I just remove this plate and be done with it? I'll eventually purchase the factory short shifter, but my immediate goal is to get the center console in place.

Gearbox · 12-20-2006, 08:38 PM

The Wevo set up is a intergral unit. That means everything inside the housing has to be replaced. The plate, fork, the stick, etc. I have all the stock components you need. Let me know if I can help. I may be interested in the Wevo set up if you want to get rid of it. E-mail me at gearbox@comcast.net thanks Allan

Danny_Ocean · 12-20-2006, 08:45 PM

My apologies...I typed "Wevo", but I meant "Weltmeister"...

Here's the kit that appears to be on my car:

http://www.weltmeister.com/ProductDetails.aspx?productID=412

911pcars · 12-20-2006, 10:37 PM

You can't remove the spacer plate without reinstalling the factory shift lever. The WM lever has a longer pivot hole to ball end dimension than the factory lever; this to provide less travel at the top end of the lever. The spacer thickness is the same dimension as the added lever length so the shift tube doesn't bind.

A short term solution includes welding add'l material to extend the lever upward. A deeper shift knob also works if it's clamped closer to the tip of the lever.

Ultimately, removing the spacer and installing a factory lever is all you need to restore the shifter. A factory short shifter is also a nice addition (different geometry than a WM).

Sherwood

Danny_Ocean · 12-21-2006, 03:57 AM

OK...sounds like a plan. Thanks.

evill · evill's Garage

I have half of the Weltmeister kit on my shifter. The PO had it set up with the standard factory shift lever with the Weltmeister spacer plate. The short Weltmeiter **** lever was in a box of spare parts. It all seemed to work ok, factory lever and WM spacer.

I am in the process of installing Sherwood's Seine System gate kit on my shift housing.

Question, I will be keeping the factory lever, so should I reinstall the spacer plate or leave it off? The spacer plate itself does not change the shifter lever travel does it?

Ed

911pcars · 01-16-2007, 05:29 PM

Hi Ed,
As I mentioned in the earlier post, If you use the WM spacer, you must use the compatible WM shift lever. These two work together to maintain the correct spacing between the ball end of the lever and the shift tube receptacle the ball fits into. If you were using the factory lever with the WM spacer, the ball end/nylon bushing wasn't fully seated due to the increased gap.

The shift lever geometry is created by the length of the lever below the lever pivot point. If it's longer than factory, the throws are shorter.

Here are the three shift levers for reference:
A. Factory
B. Factory short shift
C. WM short shift

Danny,
The photo in your link shows a WM short shift kit for a 914, 914-6, 901 gearbox with side shifter. It uses a bolt to attach to the shift tube.

Hope this helps,
Sherwood
http://members.rennlist.org/911pcars
www.seinesystems.com

evill · evill's Garage

Thank for the clarification Sherwood.

BTW- tonights project was to rebuild my shifter and install your kit. Your kit is well engineered and well made. The instructions are clear and easy to follow. I cannot believe how great the shifter feels with the additional spring tension on 1st and 2nd. I love the way it sits dead center in the 3rd / 4th plane. My 10 yr old son and I took tuns shifting it on the work benck for about 20 minutes

I can't wait to get the car back together to install it . Can wait to see how it feels. I alway hated the sloppy loose feel of the shifter in this car.

Regards,
Ed

911pcars · 01-16-2007, 09:23 PM

Hi Ed,
Thanks for the compliments. I'm glad the Gate Shift kit is working out for you and many folks.

BTW, I couldn't help but notice your errr.. 914. Wow. That is reeeaaly nice.
http://community.webshots.com/user/evill914

Danny,
Sorry if this sequed from your original post. Did you get the answer to your question?

Sherwood

Early_S_Man · 01-16-2007, 09:35 PM

BAE - the folks better known for their '70s turbo kits- was making a short-shift kit using an aluminum spacer and altered-ratio shift lever long before Weltmeister adopted that design for their kits! If the spacer has raised, cast 'BAE' letters on it ... you know it was one of their kits from the '70s or '80s!

evill · evill's Garage

Quote:

Originally posted by 911pcars
Hi Ed,
Thanks for the compliments. I'm glad the Gate Shift kit is working out for you and many folks.

BTW, I couldn't help but notice your errr.. 914. Wow. That is reeeaaly nice.
http://community.webshots.com/user/evill914

Sherwood

Thanks Sherwood

I sold the Turbo 914 to a good friend who absolutely loves it and continues to modify it.

The gate Shifter in going into my current project, the 1977 911S.

Ed