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.

[PlaysWithCars]

Thanks to Raynecat for pointing me to his thread. I've been experiencing this same thing for a while now and only just discovered the root cause of the shift rod dragging on the bulkhead that he described.

So... my big question. How much better is the Tangerine Racing firewall bushing compared to a brand new conversion bushing? Willing to put the better bushing in, but I don't see how it can be much better than the brand new conversion bushing I just put in that is pretty much a zero clearance fit to the rod and I still have the problem. Trying REALLY hard not make too many irreversible changes to the chassis since its an original six. (I know, I know... it has GT flares. But... I LIKE them. (IMG:style_emoticons/default/biggrin.gif) )