Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

[David L.]

Attached is a photo of 5 different Original 4-speed reverse levers numbered 1-5.

Lever #1: GM # 3846891, 64-67 Corvette
Lever #2: GM # 3920731, 68 Corvette
Lever #3: "Modified GM # 3960379" (69-73 Corvette) made by Long Island Corvette #32-14, as an "early days reproduction" of the 64-67 Corvette reverse lever that I purchased in August 1983 for $10 before I knew any better. This "early days reproduction" looks more like the 68 Corvette reverse lever as all the 3 holes line up and the shape is similar.
Lever #4: Unknown, measures 2.09" long by 1.32" maximum width
Lever #5: Unknown, measures 2.81" long, 1.125" wide at slot, 0.74" wide at large hole, 0.95" wide at small hole.

According to the 1969 Corvette Assembly Manual (M20, A2) reverse lever 3946756 was replaced by reverse lever 3960379 as per the revision record dated 9/12/68. GM # 339744 is listed for 74-77 Corvettes w/H.P. The 378205 reverse lever (77-81 Corvette) is stamped "8205". GM # 378183 is listed as 1st design for 78-79 Corvettes.

Can anyone identify Levers #4 and #5?

Dave

[Richard G.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

Pictured is a reverse lever installed on a Borg Warner in a 63. However, I am not absolutely all of the parts, in the picture, are original to the 1963 Corvette.
I know the shifter had been messed with because one of the reverse linkage arms, the one the shifter not the transmission, is for a 1962. The single lever is the only change I had to make to get everything to fit. Notice how the lever just touches the frame. That's even after someone ground on the bottom of the linkage to shorten it. Must be Lever number "0" as it doesn't match the 64 shown in Dave's pictures.

[David L.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

Richard,

The reverse lever on your 1962 shifter is longer than the reverse lever on a 1963 shifter which explains why it touches the frame. The reverse lever bolted to the transmission does not look original as it is too long. I have no photos of the correct transmission lever but if you look on the Paragon Corvette site you can see that the reverse lever is much shorter than the 1-2 and 3-4 levers (see Paragon part # 273K).

Dave

[Richard G.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

Yes it is (longer) I guess I wasn't as clear as I could have been. The picture was more to show the lever on the reverse shaft for the transmission.
The correct reverses shifterlever was available new and has been installed. The lever on the transmission is how I found it. This is an old file picture from my rebuild. A good example of just one of the issues one might encounter restoring one of these old cars. Set me back several weeks as I had to identify the issue, find the part and install it. Of course the hole didn't fit and these things are hard, very hard. I had to grind just the smallest amount to get it to slide together. Possibly the reverse lever installed on the transmission is for a 62? I really don't know. It does appear to long. Possibly it matched the long arm on the linkage. I just don't know as I was never able to confirm or deny the reverse lever on the transmission. To the best of my knowledge the transmission had never been replaced. All the tags and correct bolts were still there. It was correct down to the output speedometer gear that matched the factory installed 4.11 gears and vin. number.

Pictured below is an alleged reverse lever from a 63, pulled from the internet. This one looks similar to the 64 picture David posted.
If you want to check out pictures from Ebay without going through all the adds try picclick.com.
Rick

[Gene M.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

Keep in mind than lever lengths affects the throw distance of the shifter. Longer at the shifter and shorter at the tranny shortens the throw. Where as shorter at shifter and longer at tranny lengthens the shifter throw.

Shorter throw = more effort. Longer throw = less effort.

[David L.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

I have another unidentified lever probably not a reverse lever or maybe even a 3-speed lever that measures as follows:
Overall length : 2.78"
Width @ slot: 1.12"
With @ 0.40" did. hole: 0.78"
1/2" offset
About 1.86" from center of slot to center of hole
A capitol letter "D" stamped in a triangle

[David L.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

After researching on the web and using my 1963, 1964, and 1965 Chevrolets parts catalogs and 1963 Chevrolet Assembly Manual I have identified the reverse lever (previously labeled #5) and shown in the photo below.

Reverse lever, GM # 3771962 (corrected part number), listed for 1960-1963 Chevrolet Passenger models w/4-Speed Warner transmissions.
The distance from the center of the large hole to the center of the slot measure about 1.89".
Dave

[David B.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

You might want to double check that part number again. (3771962)

[Richard G.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

Dave;

Thank for all the work identifying the correct levers.
However after reviewing the information it would not appear the lever for the 1963 is correct.
On page 143 of Nolan's book is shows a lever that appears to closely match #1. Under magnification one can even see the location of the small drilled hole.
On page 146 it gives drawings and part number for the 63 reverse levers from both the Muncie and the BW.
BW is (part #3819116). Muncie (part #3831722).
Although some of the dimensions are missing on the Muncie drawing the difference is basically where the small hole between the transmission mounting stud and the shifting rod. The 63 T10 has the hole directly in line between the two hole center-lines and the Muncie hole is offset.
Looking at the pictures the #1 is for the Muncie 63 transmission. (Offset hole). No early T10 reverse lever is shown in the lineup.

There also appears to be a difference in the Clevis between early and late 63.
Early one were 1.80 in length (part #3771963) and later clevis's were 2.10 (part #3759055).
Other differences also existed but this is the easy one to identify.


Below is a picture of the lever that Zip markets.


Another by a different company;


Below is a complete linkage set up that is currently sold.



1957-1963 Corvette 4 Speed Shifter Borg Warner Linkage Set Reproduction Of GM
Even the Dr. lists the part as 3771761 trans reverse lever. Which interesting enough doesn't match Noland's information for the 63.
However it may be correct for other years? None of the reproductions, I have observed, have included the small hole in the design.

Rick

[David L.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

You might want to double check that part number again. (3771962)

Thanks for the wake up call. The part number is 3771962 and has been corrected in my previous post.
Dave

[Harry S.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

Gents, In the picture please look at the clips in red and blue. In a few discussions this week some say carter pins were the only clips used on 63 T10's. Others say the clips in red were the only clips used. This picture would indicate both were used. My april 63 car has all the clip in red.

One picture I found has the carter pin on the 1-2 lever and the other clip on 3-4.

Thoughts, opinions?????

[Richard G.]

Re: Original 4-Speed Transmission REVERSE LEVERS

Interesting:
I was under the impression that all the holes had clips.
In the assemble manual it calls out the circular clips at the linkage side and the cotters at transmission.
Likely because of the spring washers on the clevis ends.
Mine car is likely incorrect, shouldn't take anything for granted.
Didn't get the AM out enough.
Rick