'64 Shifter Rattle

[Steve F.]

The shifter on my '64 four speed rattles a little when driving under 70 mph, and above that it rattles annoyingly. I find myself putting my hand on it to stop the rattling, but I know that is not a good idea.

So is this a common problem? Is there a fix for it, other than driving slower?

Steve
64 Coupe

[Joe L.]

Re: '64 Shifter Rattle

The shifter on my '64 four speed rattles a little under 70 mph, and abve that it rattles annoyingly. I find myself putting my hand on it to stop the rattling, but I know that is not a good idea.

So is this a common problem? Is there a fix for it, other than driving slower?

Steve
64 Coupe

Steve-----


As shifters wear, this problem becomes quite common. However, there are some things you should check. Most important, check to see that the retainer on the shifter control lever shaft has not fallen off. Also, check to be sure that all of the bolts that retain the shifter to the transmission extension housing are sufficiently torqued.

[Steve F.]

Re: '64 Shifter Rattle

Joe: thanks, I'll have a look at those two items.

Steve

[Paul J.]

Re: '64 Shifter Rattle

Steve:

Mine's rattled just as you describe for the past 35 years. It's part of the character of my car.

I think it's the lockout spring, but I'll know for sure when I rebuild the shifter during my restoration.

Paul

[John H.]

Re: '64 Shifter Rattle

You can reduce it two ways. Remove the knob and spring and pull the T-handle off the lever. If the plastic sleeve bushings are worn, replace them or wrap them with electrical tape to reduce the slop between them and the inside diameter of the T-handle shank. Then install an O-ring on the lever, on the "step" the T-handle shank sits on. The bushing replacement or tape application will reduce the lateral slop, and the O-ring will reduce the vertical slop/buzz. With the shifter bolted solid to the tailhousing, that's about the best you can do; that's why they moved it to a separate bracket in mid-'66 - to isolate it from the transmission.

[Stuart F.]

Re: '64 Shifter Rattle

It seems every other Corvette 4-speed shifter I have known in my life has rattled except my 63 which has been quiet since new. It is, however, the first one I've had since new and the only one I never "bang" shifted (power shifted). The reason for that is this car has never been drag raced in that with a close ratio and 3.36 rear end - why try. It's a winder!

Over the years I have made shifters better, both Vette and passenger cars, simply by snugging everything up and replacing any worn parts. John's got some good tips that will help a lot.

Stu Fox

[Jack H.]

Re: '64 Shifter Rattle

"that's why they moved it to a separate bracket in mid-'66 - to isolate it from the transmission."

Hum, I thought the reason the shift lever moved off the tranny tail housing and onto the frame center cross member was to eliminate 'cradle rock' motion of the shifter (engine's torque moving the power plant on the motor mounts) which was compounded by increasing HP of SB engines over time + the introduction of the BB in 1965...

[Stuart F.]

Re: '64 Shifter Rattle

Jack;

I believe you are right so I best qualify my remark; My experience has been primarily with C-1's and C-2's as well as passenger cars, i.e. those with shifters mounted on the tail shaft. My son has a 78 P.C. and it is very quiet, but it also has less positve feel to it. I guess you could say that when the engine torques the shifter goes with it on the older cars, but maybe binding perhaps on the cross member mounts - or so it seems.

Stu Fox