Stripped Shift Linkage Screws

[preacheranav]

O.k... I'm dropping the engine and the screw on the transmission came out just fine but I stripped the one at the firewall. What size allen wrench should I have used and now that it's stripped~ how to I get it out? Thanks for the help.

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

I don't remember the size of the Allen socket--possibly M5? You might consider a reverse-twist drill bit to try drilling it out; if you're lucky it will grab the screw and back it out. And if not, you'll at least be drilling it out.

Another thing you can try is using the next size up (there are some half-millimeter sizes, and the next English size up may also work), and hammering it into the screw. Maybe even two sizes up... If that fails, weld a nut onto the screw and use a wrench to turn that out.

--DD

[preacheranav]

Thanks Dave... if I can't get it out can I disconnect the linkage under the shifter and slide the entire thing out through the firewall? Will it fit through or does it have to come out from inside the car and has to break apart in the engine compartment?

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

You will most likely have to unbolt the motor mount bar and drop it down. It won't come out if you leave the bar in place, I'm about 99% sure. You may even have to lift the engine a bit for clearance....

--DD

[John Rogers]

If the center coupling is still attached together you will have to unbolt the forward rod from the shifter and then when you unbolt the engine mounts in front and back, slide the engine back far enough so that the rear shift rod will come out through it's small bushing on the side plate of the transmission. Be very careful not to bend either of the rods as that will have an adverse effect on shifting later on when you reassemble things. If you unbolt the cross bar at the engine that the front of the engine hangs on it will help a lot so that there will be nothing in the middle trying to bend the linkage bars or break the cast mount on the side of the transmission at the rear.