82SC Short shifter problems

[Matt7127]

I have an 82SC with a short shift kit. The throw is greatly reduced over stock but it seems like the previous owner chopped the shift lever arm down so the knob sits only 5-6" from the tunnel. This short arm creates a very notchy feel. The problem I'm experiencing is with 3rd gear. All other gears shift fine and smooth but finding 3rd is a pain. Going from 2nd to 3rd 4th to 3rd is pretty much impossible without grinding. I don't think it's a syncro issue because you can shift it quick without issues but you have to kick it over to 5th to make the shift into 3rd easy. Any ideas on how to improve the shifting? Adjustments? I was thinking of purchasing a new shift kit (WEVO, other) but hate to spend $600. Improving the shifting will greatly enhance the driveablitly of the car. Thanks

[Flat6pac]

Purchase a stock shifter unit for the car and dont worry about the short shifter. It just unbolts and installs.
Bruce

[euro911sc]

Yeah I had that issue... I solved it:

Check out my new 6.5" Long...




I bought one from Vincent Hill but it was too short still!

Weltmeister 2" Shift Lever Extension


I have been driving it now for about 3 months. It is sooo sweet. The length and the short shift seem to cancel each other out just perfect. I'll weld it on there at the next garage project day then I'll have it powder coated. The knob is great too, but damn it gets hot in the sun. I might change it to a wooden one at some point or sew up some kind of cover that I can slip on it when leaving it outside.

-Michael

[euro911sc]

Serious Shifter Relocation thread:
Raising / relocating 911 shifter

[Matt7127]

You think by extending my shift arm an improvement will be made? Where can I get an extender? Is the Weltmeister 2" long enough? Very interested in trying it out. It would be alot cheaper than buying a Wevo. Like I said the shifting works fine now other than it's really notchy and 3rd gear is difficult.

[Flat Six]

Originally Posted by Matt7127

. . . but you have to kick it over to 5th to make the shift into 3rd easy. Any ideas on how to improve the shifting?

In addition to the leverage issues caused by the short shift kit / shortened shift lever, having to "kick it over to 5th" points to a shift linkage adjustment issue.

At the very least I'd:
-- Inspect shift coupler; replace bushings if necessary; lube & adjust
-- Replace ball cup bushing and shift rod bushing
-- Clean, lube, and blueprint your shifter (see seinesystems.com)

[Vincent Hill]

A 2 inch extender would have been of great benefit along with a New Coupler. I made OEM and WM extenders mostly in 2 inch length and a few in 3 inch length. I have sold my last OEM and am shipping it today. I have 1 for the Weltmeister left but the ID of the OEM Shifter is a little larger so I would not suggest getting the WM and glueing it in place.

It is a shame someone is doing this to something that works very well as designed like my friend in Florida who really had a "Short SHifter"!

[euro911sc]

Originally Posted by Matt7127

You think by extending my shift arm an improvement will be made? Where can I get an extender? Is the Weltmeister 2" long enough? Very interested in trying it out. It would be alot cheaper than buying a Wevo. Like I said the shifting works fine now other than it's really notchy and 3rd gear is difficult.

Perhaps I misunderstood your original post. The longer rod helps by allowing you to shift from a natural and comfortable position. With the longer arm you will be putting more force on the parts, but at the same time slowing your shifts down. Slowing down helps a bit with notchyness or worn synchros, but only really alleviates the symptoms and not the root cause. If you have no problem with the actual reach to the short lever then the longer rod is not your solution. With me, I could not put the car in 5th when fully belted in because the lever was so short.

Your issue may be, as others mentioned, a bad coupler or linkage bushing set. I once had just a loose coupler and I thought my trans was blown. Rejuvenate all the bushings in the linkage system: Ball cup, rod ring, coupler. Then adjust the shift tower clearance and go through the factory shifter adjustment process. Make sure the coupler is tight when you are done. This is a cheap thing to do and is not hard on the DIY scale.

After this, you may find that shifting is much better and your notchyness is gone. If the notcyness is still there then your issue is in the trans. itself and will require pulling the trans. apart.

At that point, you may also find that you need a longer rod to be in a comfortable driving position. I made mine on a lathe I borrowed from a neighbor. I have since returned the lathe and my neighbor went north for the summer...

-Michael