Shift coupler orientation, vs Options

[smdubovsky]

I replaced a bunch of shift bushings and adjusted the shifter the other night. But, I was suprised to see how the side shift works. (You must excuse me, I've only worked on taildraggers to this point) It twists the shaft by moving it side to side. I understand that the factory orientation of the shift coupler has the set screw pointing down. (This is a pic I stole from Mueller - ignore the extension for the V8)



This allows the motor/chassis to flex up/down but puts the shaft in a mild bind when in 1/R or 4/5 planes. Does anyone else notice this? It looks to me like the application is screaming for a helicopter/apex coupler:



Anyone ever done it? Since my car has the side shift conversion, I could just fab a straight rod, weld the coupler to it, and weld a boss to the other side of the coupler to tap for the cone screw - like Mueller did for the V8 adapter. On the tranny end, I could turn a rod to the right OD, and drill a hole to receive the set screw that goes back there.

Look to me like it would take up the misalignment in both planes and make the shifting more precise. Also looks easy to do. Anyone BTDT? I've installed a rennshift, but the side-to-side vaugeness could still be improved...

Tnx!
SMD

[brant]

SMD,

shhh... thats a secret
(its being done on lots of race cars)

on ours, we've used the stock coupler (well, rebuilt with brass bushings) and cut it off of the bar.. Rotated it 90 degree's and then re-welded it onto our custom shift bar.

brant