Side-shift conversion problems

[iansale]

Hi, All. I recently settled on a project for this winter… a 1972 914 I just purchased (at this year’s Hershey AACA show). I have been lurking on this board, soaking in a wealth of information, for a few weeks now. What a great resource!

At any rate, I could use a little help. I have learned (from crawling under my car and reading this board) that my 72 has been converted from a tail-shifter to a side-shifter. I believe that, for the most part, this is a good thing. However, I also believe it to be the source of a problem that I’m currently trying to diagnose—I can’t get into 1st or reverse gears. I have tried every method of adjusting the shift linkage and have replaced most of the bushings.

It looks to me like the shift rod is hitting the motor mount bar before the gear selector can hit reverse or first. Can anyone, by looking at the attached photo, tell me if this is the correct motor mount bar for the side-shift conversion? If it is… any ideas?

Thanks for any help!

--Ian

[ejm914]

You have the wrong bar and most likely the wrong mounts. The bar for a side shifter has a hole
that the shift rod passes through. The later bar also uses different mounts at the body and at the
engine. You'll also need the later linkage up front, including the shifter and a "special" bushing at the firewall.

[Kevin Powers]

the rubber boot on the firewall is the wrong type for a 72 also. my guess is you will need a correct shifter as well. look for a package deal.

[iansale]

You could see the boot from that shot??? I've attached a better look. Is it the wrong one? Also, here's a shot of the shifter-- I believe it to be correct for the side-shift conversion. Could you confirm?

Last, anyone have a suggestion as to where to get the appropriate engine mount bar and rubber mounts? Looks like Pelican might carry the later.

[Kevin Powers]

well that is the boot for a 73 up and the clamp on the shift rod appears to be correct so i stand corrected.but the engine support bar is probably the culprit, the shift rod passes through a hole in the right one and the coupler for the 2 rods might be banging into it . is the swivel piece that the end of the rubber boot banging into the bottom of the fan housing? hard to tell from that angle. don't worry about buying rubber mounts, the later setup uses solid mounts. post your needs in the 914 classifieds.better get a handle on that rust on the lower firewall and around the edges of that oval plate that the early style plastic cover attached to.

[DSPTurtle]

Where you located? I have an engine mount bar with the hole in it that I could probably offer up.
JB

[iansale]

Thanks for the information, Kevin.

Clearance between the rod itself and the fan housing is tight, but there is no evidence that it is making contact. The big problem is that the shift rod is regularly in contact with the motor mount bar.

As for the rust, there are a few places on the car that are in need of attention. Once I get this thing shifting correctly, the engine, tranny, suspension, and interior will be coming out for a major overhaul. The chasis will be headed to a body shop.

[iansale]

Hey, JB... I'm near Philly. But, if you think you have late model mount that you can spare, I would certainly cover the cost of shipping and compensate you for the trouble.

[yellow72]

post pic of right (passenger) side of bar before you buy
a new one. I think your engine mount is in backwards.

[Ron Meier]

You will need the following to complete your installation:

1. Late sideshifter engine bar

2. Late engine mount brackets (two pieces instead of one)

3. Late engine bar end mounts.

4. Late engine mount rubbers.

The early cars have a one piece bracket that mounts to the engine and the bar. The rubber vibration mounts are at the ends of the bar.

The later cars use a "solid mount" at each end of the engine bar and a two piece motor mount mounted to the engine with rubber cushions between them and the engine bar.

Without these items, the car won't shift.

[iansale]

Originally posted by yellow72
post pic of right (passenger) side of bar before you buy
a new one. I think your engine mount is in backwards.

Here's the passenger side... please let me know what you think.

[iansale]

Ron, you wouldn't happen to have part numbers handy for the four parts you mentioned?

[Kevin Powers]

i am baffeld by that bar. the one i took out of my 72 before conversion was made of rectangular steel stock with a gusseted type piece welded on the bottom, machined holes on the side, not a cast item. the one i put on was the cast type with the big hole on the drivers side like the extra that i have in my garage. is the steel one i first mentioned out of a bus or something?

kevin

[yellow72]

what kevin said. that's why I thought the bar might be in
backwards

[Bleyseng]

I have never seen a bar like that either! All tailshifter bars were that rectangular steel and all side shifters were the cast steel type. Maybe its a Sporto bar?
Very weird.... maybe DD will see this.
Geoff

[Zeke]

There is a feller I know who is not on this board, but is well connected with Otto's and Pelican and he fabricates a bar out of rectangular steel with a gusset. Weighs about six pounds, saving some weight. (Hey, even if it's low weight, it's weight)

I certainly do not think that Pelican or Otto's sold this bar, BUT......they are usually available at Pomona. I have one of his bars and it fits the side shift style shifter w/o a hole, just a dog leg.

[iansale]

Hey, Zeke, would you be able to share contact information for this guy?

[Lawrence914]

What is that red stuff all over your car?

-Lawrence

[Bleyseng]

You might pressure wash all that oily grime off the motor and trannie while you are at it......not so messy when you work on it. Just a thought!
Geoff

[iansale]

Originally posted by Lawrence914
What is that red stuff all over your car?

-Lawrence

Rust. :-(