Question for the gear shift experts: big scrap in R-1st shift plane on side shifter Options

[raynekat]

I've got a 71 914-4 that I converted to a 914-6.
The problem is a very loud annoying squeak when I'm in the R-1st plane.
Something is really scraping badly.
Pulled the shifter which looks to have been changed out from an early shifter to a later shifter.
Greased it very well and that didn't seem to help.

So I looked a bit deeper and put a flashlight in the tunnel where the shifter sits pointing backwards.
Using a small mirror about 6-9" rearward, I see that the shift rod goes through a circular opening in a small bulkhead that is welded into the tunnel.

Looks like the scraping/squeaking is when the rod is hitting the edge of the circular opening in the bulkhead in the R-1st plane.
If you don't pull the lever all the way to the left, then you don't hear the scrape.

Is this typical of a side shifter conversion for an early 914?
Am I shifting incorrectly by pulling the lever hard to the left for the R-1st plane?
Does that bulkhead need to be removed by opening up the shift tunnel from above?

Any thoughts or ideas are welcome.
Thanks in advance.

[ChrisFoley]

Is it possible to move the base of the shift lever to the left a little bit by slotting the mounting holes? Not sure that would provide enough clearance, but worth a look.

My precision shift adjuster has a small offset that I think goes the right direction, but again, its probably not enough to eliminate the contact. It might be possible to build one with additional offset. I don't think it has any effect on shift action but there may be other obstructions in the tunnel to consider when moving things to the left.

What's your firewall bushing like? Is it an old conversion bushing? That's another place where you might improve clearance in the tunnel without actually going in there.