Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

[Stewart A.]

Has anyone drivien a C1 without a shifter boot.
I have been driving my 60 with the boot off the shifter hole. I can't help but notice the amount of air that flows through the hole into the cabin. When the car reaches it's engine temp it's really, really hot air. I have ordered a new boot but can't believe the boot will stop all that hot air. Is it normal to have so much air traveling through the shifter hole. The new boot better be a tight fit to stop any hot air. Is there something else that goes around the hole to deflect the air or stop it ? Or am I experiencing something unusual. Stewy

[Howard M.]

Re: Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

Nothing unusual. My '60 was the same way before installing the boot. With it makes all the difference in the world.

[Reed F.]

Re: Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

Stuart,
It's normal. Ever see photos of corvettes lifting their front end at speed? There is a high pressure area under the car, especially at speed. It will bring engine-heated air through the shifter hole as the pressure is less inside the car.
Reed

[Bill I.]

Re: Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

Normal, had the same problem on my 66, plus the smell of various fluids. Bill.

[Dennis C.]

Re: Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

Agree with Howard, the boot will make all the difference in the world. Best, Dennis

[Stewart A.]

Re: Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

After a long trip my hand smells of gas. I think the air moving threw the engine must bring some fuel vaporizing threw the shifter hole. I thought there must be something else missing. I will put the boot on when it turns up and that should solve the problem. Thanks for the speedy responses. Stewy

[Dan H.]

Re: Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

Stew, in addition to the boot I would cut a piece of inner tube about 4"X4", put a small hole in middle, slip it over the shift lever so it was just under the boot for additional 'air deflection'. Enjoy!
Dan

[Jack H.]

Re: Air Coming Through The Shifter Hole

"After a long trip my hand smells of gas."

Remember, the early C1 cars used a road draft tube for open crank case ventilation. The draft tube 'dumps' directly below the RH rear side of the engine, so if there are leak(s) into the cabin you can expect engine fume vapors...

PCV was an option in '61 then became a standard feature in following years. It greatly reduced engine fume odors...