Shifter bracket flex late 66

[Scott G.]

I have a late 66 four speed with the shifter mounted to a bracket mounted to the cross member. Since I restored the car 30 years ago, the shifter has hit the back of the console on hard shifts. I am finally trying to deal with the issue. I have pulled the console and boot. When pulling back on the shifter, there is significant flex in the bracket. I have double checked all of the mounting bolts and they are tight. Is this normal for this mounting or do I have an issue with the bracket?

At the time I restored the car in the mid 80s there were a lot of parts still available from GM. If the bracket was available in that time frame it would have come from them. If it was not it is a reproduction from the mid 80s.

[Domenic T.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Scott,
Not much help, but I think the 66 & 67 are the same bracket and mine seems to be solid with no flex. I had lots of time to work with it when I was putting mr frame back together.

DOM

[Scott G.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Here is a video of what I am seeing. It seems as if the bracket should be more rigid. When I do a hard 1-2 or 3-4 shift the shifter handle bangs the back of the console. If the bracket did not flex, I would not have the issue. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imQ_...ature=youtu.be

[Jim S.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Scott ,

Don't know what bracket you have , but on my 66 that bracket is way to thick to be able to flex. So one of four thing is possible .(1) I would say that either one ,or all of the 3 bolts that hold it on are loose . (2) The flex is coming from the shifter because those bolts that attach it to the bracket are loose . (3) Most likely, since you said you already checked the first two , the bracket itself is stress cracked somewhere. (4) Its the wrong bracket and way to thin for the required function.

Of course thats just my opinion, I could be wrong .


Jim

[Scott G.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

The bolts are all tight. I just had a wrench on all of the bracket to frame bolts and the shifter to bracket bolts. I have looked from the top and bottom at the bracket, it's tough to see it all but I don't see any evidence of a crack. I have had the banging into the back of the console issue since I restored the car in the mid 80s. I wonder if there was a reproduction made of a thinner gauge during that time frame? If someone has access to an original or a modern reproduction, would you measure the thickness of the material?

[Jim S.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

From you video I would say bottom mounting bolt ,the one that bolts to the transmission bracket, or stress crack.

Jim

[William K.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Scott a little over a 1/4 " thick, my body is off the frame come take a look if you want

[Scott G.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Mine is more like an 1/8" thick. I think we may have identified the problem! I would love to see your frame. I have sent you a PM.

[Joe L.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Mine is more like an 1/8" thick. I think we may have identified the problem! I would love to see your frame. I have sent you a PM.

Scott------


In the 1980's the bracket was still available from GM. I highly doubt that any reproductions were then-available. So, I have no doubt you have a GM bracket. I don't think that any of the steel used to fabricate this bracket was 1/4" thick.

I would carefully inspect the bracket. There are several welds and one could have broken. Also, check the bolts carefully, especially the long bolt that goes through the shifter. This bolt can crack.

Later in the C3 era a different but functionally similar bracket was used. C3 service manuals outline a procedure for adjusting the position of the bracket with shims to correct exactly the problem you're having. The same procedure might work for C2's.

[Jim S.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Scott,

Look at AIM page 182 . That flex can only mean bolt #3 is broken or missing , the tab on the frame it goes through is broken loose , or the shift bracket is broken . From viewing your video again, I am betting on bolt # 3. Before you do anything else ,replace that bolt and inspect that tab.

I don't have a micrometer but your 1/8 inch thick bracket is about right .

Jim

[Scott G.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

I'm pretty sure I found the problem. I went to Bill's and took a look at his bracket which is mounted to his rolling chassis. His does not exhibit the same flex as mine even though the material thickness is the same. I noticed his looked wider in one section. When I looked at mine, I can see there was a previous repair in the area I thought was thinner. The cross section at the repair site appears to narrower than Bill's and the repair looks rather poor.

I may not have replaced the bracket in the 80s. I bought the car in boxes and there were some parts missing. I had thought this one one of them but it obviously was not. I plan on replacing the bracket. I am sure this will resolve the problem. Thank you all for your help.

Bill.jpgscott2.jpg

[Timothy B.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Scott,

Have you checked the shifter adjustment.

[Scott G.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

It is not possible to adjust the shift handle forward. The neutral gate is fixed and the other plates need to line up with it. It is definitely an issue with the bracket. Mine flexes a lot more than Bill's does. Take a look at the photos of Bill's and my brackets. I have an NOS bracket on the way. I full believe the bending and banging the back of the console will be solved with the new bracket.

[Gene M.]

Re: Shifter bracket flex late 66

Scott,
Another option is to use a shifter mounting plate from a 65 Corvette. It mounts solid to the tranny and will not flex at all. But be advised it will not pass a PV. The shifter will move with the tranny as the drive train moves under load.