What lube for C2 4-spd shifter ?

[Wayne M.]

R & R' ing my '65 4-spd Muncie shifter assembly {the one that bolts to the rear of the tail shaft housing with the chrome shifter sticking through the console}. The levers ( 1st & 2nd; 3rd & 4th, and reverse) had high resistance sliding past one another. Discovered a sandy residue with some hardened oil/dirt coating in some places. Cleaned them up with lacquer thinner and now ready to install. What did the factory use (nothing ?, bearing grease ?, oil ? [similar to gear box], motor oil] ?

[Patrick H.]

Re: What lube for C2 4-spd shifter ?

white lithium grease

[Joe L.]

Re: What lube for C2 4-spd shifter ?

R & R' ing my '65 4-spd Muncie shifter assembly {the one that bolts to the rear of the tail shaft housing with the chrome shifter sticking through the console}. The levers ( 1st & 2nd; 3rd & 4th, and reverse) had high resistance sliding past one another. Discovered a sandy residue with some hardened oil/dirt coating in some places. Cleaned them up with lacquer thinner and now ready to install. What did the factory use (nothing ?, bearing grease ?, oil ? [similar to gear box], motor oil] ?

Wayne-----


I'd use GM #12377985, an all purpose chassis lube. This is a great lubricant to have around as it serves many chassis lube purposes except front wheel bearings.

[Larry M.]

Re: What lube for C2 4-spd shifter ?

white lithium grease

What I have used for over 25 years (and no issues). May not be the best, but it works, and is what the factory guys used.

Larry

[Mark E.]

Re: What lube for C2 4-spd shifter ?

The 1970 Service Manual (I don't have one for 1965) specifies EP chassis lube for shift linkage.

[Joe L.]

Re: What lube for C2 4-spd shifter ?

What I have used for over 25 years (and no issues). May not be the best, but it works, and is what the factory guys used.

Larry

Larry------

Lithium grease will work OK but I do not think it's the best thing to use. For one thing, I have NOS shifter assemblies and the lubricant on them is definitely not white lithium. It appears much more like chassis lube. In addition, EP chassis lube has a greater film strength than white lithium grease. This will produce better lubrication over a longer period of time than white lithium.

[Mark E.]

Re: What lube for C2 4-spd shifter ?

The Chassis Manual says "Every 6000 miles or 4 months lubricate shift linkage and on manual transmission floor controls lever contacting faces with water resistant EP chassis lubricant..."

What's a good method for doing this? Once in awhile I clean the linkage with brake cleaner then push in grease with my hands. Is there a better way?