side-shifter v. tailshifter, crow doesn't taste so good... Options

[lapuwali]

I take back everything I ever said about how a well-set-up tailshifter is "just as good" as a side-shifter. The side-shifter in my car now after my driveline swap is WAY better than the perfectly set up tailshifter I pulled out, and the firewall bushing isn't even installed (it popped out, need to try again). If it got better still after replacing that bushing, it will be Honda quality. (IMG:http://www.914world.com/bbs2/html/emoticons/wub.gif)

Anyone still using a tailshifter should ignore all of my previous advice and get a side-shifter ASAP. I'm amazed at the difference between this gearbox and the side-shifter in my old '73.

[lapuwali]

QUOTE (mikey @ Aug 24 2005, 10:14 PM)

I tried putting the bushing in boiling water, hitting it with a hammer, etc. It wasn't going in at all. What finally worked was getting one edge started in the hole, then taking a round rubber mallet, placing the head against the bushing and applying steady strong pressure instead of whacking it. Finally it popped in. It wasn't easy but I didn't have to slice and "screw".

I think the trick is to actually boil the bushing itself. I, too, put mine in boiling water, but AFTER I'd boiled the water. No luck. SirAndy says to put it in the water and boil the water in a microwave.

I also felt the tailshifter was great, as I said. However, with one pretty critical bushing out of place, I can feel all of the gates very precisely. I've driven the car a short distance (charging system isn't working yet), and got it up to 4th, and didn't have the slightest problem. It's notchy, where the tailshifter is smoother, but I could never really "feel" the gates on the tailshifter.

I think my '73's side-shifter had a sloppy bronze bushing at the base of the shift lever. That was the only one I didn't look at when I had that car (which I didn't drive for long, it spent most of it's time on jackstands getting body repairs done).