Zeke,

Yes, you are putting the grips on the shift rod where it will be riding in the rear bushing! So #1, light pressure. If you are truely concerned, put some leather or several wraps of cloth on it before tightening the visegrip.

The idea is to hold the shift rod in place, not to create marks. You just don't want the rod to move while the shifter assembly is being adjusted.

This all can be done without the visegrips. My first round of adjusting this on the "blond" was in a long parking lot so I could check my progress. It's also where I figured out using the lockout plate as the alignment point. Using the visegrips makes it a lot easier.

You also can adjust the tranny in 3rd the same way, and the visegrip will be on the outside of the bushing. Doesn't change the issue.

Adjust in 2nd - visegrip goes aft of the rear bushing
Adjust in 3rd - visegrip goes in front of the rear bushing

James

James

make sure the set screw at the coupler is in the dimple on the front of the rear rod. like james said about the vice grips and 2nd gear, now loosen and disengage the shifter from the front of the front rod . with it unattached, rest not push, the shifter against the f/r gate. slide the shifter bottom back on the rod like you were putting the car in 2nd. tighten connection.

kevin