1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

[James S.]

Have installed a Corvette Central repop shifter and repop rods on a fully restored 1960 Vette transmission. Transmission is an original 1960 4 speed date coded transmission.

Test ran the car today and the shifter would not engage third gear. I used the metal block to set up in neutral, and adjust gears, so I know that was correct. I jacked the car up and discovered the rod was not going all the way back for third gear, so I lengthened the rod as required. But, the shift position compared to first gear is weird. In first gear, the shift knob is all the way forward, in third gear it is about 2/3 forward as compared to the first gear position of the ball handle. Is this normal for an original transmission 4 speed 60 Vette? I'm taking the car for another test run to see if she will shift into third now.

Thanks for any assist.

Jim

[John F.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

I would re-read the instructions and check the orientation of the levers and rods.

[James O.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

Maybe this pic will help.

[James S.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

Thanks Gents for the assist.

Jim

[Dan D.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

Jim, it may not be going all the way into third gear because the bottom of the shift lever is hitting the lower shifter mounting bolt. Very tight clearance, tighten the bolt so the flat of the head hits the shift lever. You may have to move the complete neutral adjustment back or forward a little to gain clearance. Don't know who CC gets their shifters from, but probably is Vette Products of Michigan. They have the original GM tooling. -Dan-

[James S.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

Jim, it may not be going all the way into third gear because the bottom of the shift lever is hitting the lower shifter mounting bolt. Very tight clearance, tighten the bolt so the flat of the head hits the shift lever. You may have to move the complete neutral adjustment back or forward a little to gain clearance. Don't know who CC gets their shifters from, but probably is Vette Products of Michigan. They have the original GM tooling. -Dan-

Dan,

Thanks for the help. This has been a re-occuring nightmare. CC sent me the shifter and rods and as it turned out one of the packages with the correct part number had the wrong rod in it, so you can imagine how long it took me to figure that one out.

Yesterday, I lengthened the 3-4 rod and was able to shift into third gear, but I had to double clutch to shift into third. I set all rods using the block from CC, so I know that was right. The reverse shift rod from CC will not fit as per factory specs because the rod will hit the tranny tunnel, so I had to install the rod facing the opposite direction. I called CC on this and they said they were aware of the problem; gee thanks for telling me. Had I known I may have opted to wait and find an orignal shifter. Obviously, something is wrong with this set up. I'm wondering if CC sent me the correct shifter assembly now as things aren't working as they should be. I've installed a zillion shifters and have never run into these kinds of problems. That puppy is a nightmare to install from underneath.

Thanks again for the help.

Jim

[Richard M.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

Jim I have a original shifter on the shelf if you need some pictures or measurements.

Rich

[James S.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

Jim I have a original shifter on the shelf if you need some pictures or measurements.

Rich

Thanks Richard. PM sent. Jim

[Jerry W.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

62 T 10 pic

[James S.]

Re: 1960 4 Speed Transmission Shift Question

62 T 10 pic

Thx Jerry.