tail to side shifter conversion... easy?

[rmolina]

Im seriously considering swaping out my tail shifter to a side shifter I have a 71, What is involved? new shifter linkage and trany? Is it a stright bolt over? no welding hopfully...

Id be interested in any articles on this subject ...

Thanks...

[rich]

As I understand, You will need to change the trans axle,shift linkage,as well as the shifter.the rod inside the tunnel is smaller dia. So you will have to change the bushings for the right size. I'm sure Wayne can set you up with the correct ones. Also you may have to change the front cross bar engine mount. I have a 72 side shift and my cross bar has a large hole through it for the linkage to pass through. I haven't done the swap but I did try to change fire wall bushings and wound up ordering several bushing until I finally got the correct one.(no big deal their cheap) I also dismantled a 71 tail shift and the linkage is alot different. Good luck

[Patrick]

Rich is right on. You need pretty much everything from the shifter back - tranny, shift rods, coupler, engine mount bar and mounts. The only thing you can reuse are the rear transmission mounts. When I converted my '72, I found a 73 parts car to rob the stuff from. If you find the right deal, this way is usually cheaper and less hassle than trying to gather everything up separately. The one part you will have to buy new is the firewall bushing. It is a special converter bushing for the early (large) hole to accept the late (small) rod. It is made just for this conversion and Pelican should have it. You might also consider new bushings in the coupler and at the tranny. The poly bushings in the coupler work really well and take a lot of play.

[914fanatic]

What is the easiest way to pull those shift rods out of the center tunnel? I can't seem to get those out. Thanxs in advance~MARK

[halbl]

Look at patrick's post. He mentions the shifter rods ( two pieces) and a coupler. the coupler is in the tunnel inside the firewall and is reached thru an inspection plate. I agree with the parts car route if you can find a good 73 2.0L. Plan to get the shifter because it has to be mated to the correct rod. I put a short shift kit in at the same time and love it. I had to modify the boot attachment at the engine side of the firewall to match the later design. Tip. When you look at a parts car for running gear, pull the wheel assembly down the the hub and inspect the splines on the hub. This will give you and idea of how hard the engine and tranny have been run and if properly maintained.

[rich]

Mark, When I installed my fresh engine I made the mistake of not installing the shift rod in the tunnel first! How many of you did that before?(drats!)I removed the rod support bracket and slid the firewall bushing on the rod, this gave me just enough room the pound the rod in With out removing the engine. If this wasn't what you asked,I just revealed a pretty embarressing screw up.

[rmolina]

Thanks for the bad news.. but its pretty much what I was thinking... oh the pain of it all. but its worth it right

I think ill wait till I rebuild my engine, then Ill have it out, so the swap wont be as painful...

Thanks again...

[Dave at Pelican Parts]

Hey, Rich! Don't be embarrassed--you just helped out with a freind's 914 problem. The front shift rod in her car is pretty messed up (SERIOUS P.O. nonsense!), and we were trying to figure out if it would come out with the engine still in the car...

--DD