Easiest and most accurate way to adjust Side Shift linkage, Expanding the Racer Chris Method Options

[ClayPerrine]

Here is the easiest, most accurate way to adjust your side shift linkage. I tried this on Betty's car, and she raves about the shifting. So, on to step 1. Please excuse the crappy cell phone pictures.

1. Remove the cover over the shift console.
2. Remove the carpet around the shifter.
3. Put the shifter in neutral, and loosen the pinch bolt on the shift rod. This is accessible behind the shifter.
4. Completely disconnect the shift rod by pulling the shifter back into the third gear position. You should see the coupler laying against the floorboard (like in the picture below).



5. From under the car, put the side shift console on the transmission into 4th gear. This is done by pulling down on the shift rod and pulling it rearward.



6. Back inside the car, put a rubber bungee cord around the base of the shifter, and loop the other end over the right hand door handle.



7. Make sure that the bungee stays at the base of the shifter.



8. Lift the shift rod inside the tunnel up, and slide it into the coupler on the bottom of the shifter. This is the hardest part of the job. The hole is small and both parts sag downward. You may have to use needle nose pliers or something like them to hold them up.

9. Once you have the coupling done, move the shifter as far forward as it will go.

10. From under the car, move the shift console into the neutral position.

11. Remove the bungee cord from the shifter, then move the shifter until the part below the curve is vertical. Tighten the pinch bolt.

12. Reinstall the carpet and the cover over the shift console.

You are done, go drive it. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/driving.gif)


Why does this work, you ask?

There are 3 fore and aft "shift planes" in a 914 transmission. Reverse/First, Second/Third, and Fourth/Fifth. When you place the transmission into Fourth, you are providing enough clearance to hook up the shift coupler, and you are insuring that the transmission end of the shift linkage is in the fourth/fifth shift plane. The bungee cord around the shift lever pulls the shifter into the fourth/fifth shift plane and holds it there while you slide the rod into the coupler. Then putting the trans back into neutral allows you to set the proper location of the neutral gate for each shift plane by making sure that the lower portion of the shifter is vertical.



Give it a try and see if it works for you.

[Dr Evil]

When adjusted correctly with all components in good condition, you can shift by using one finger and pushing forward. The spring plate will guide the lever right (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Like magic.

[ClayPerrine]

When adjusted correctly with all components in good condition, you can shift by using one finger and pushing forward. The spring plate will guide the lever right (IMG:style_emoticons/default/smile.gif) Like magic.

(IMG:style_emoticons/default/agree.gif)

Once I got the shifting right on both cars, I go from first to second just by pushing the shifter with the heel of my hand. Second to third I pull with my two middle fingers. Third to fourth is push forward with the heel of my hand and add a little pressure to the right. Fifth is pull rearward with a little pressure to the right.


Frankly, I was able to adjust the shifter right in the past, using the same method as Dr. Evil. But it usually took two or three tries to get it correct. This method may take more steps and have you in and out of the car a couple of times, but it only takes once to get it right.