65 Shifter Assembly

[Ashley S.]

I'm starting to look for a complete 4 speed shifter assembly for my car, but I'm having trouble with part numbers. My car has an aftermarket shifter, so I don't really have anything to look at for a reference.

I looked in the JG, but it just says "round chrome knob on a straight chrome shaft with a constant diameter of approximately 3/4", similar to the standard shifter, except a chrome "T" handle is added for the reverse lock-out mechanism"

Does anyone have a part number or description that I could use when searching for one? Also, any advice on what to look for (or avoid) would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ashley

[Tom H.]

Re: 65 Shifter Assembly

Hi Ashley.

I'm no Joe Lucia, but maybe this might help. Pictures are worth a thousand words !

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 Shifter Assembly

I'm starting to look for a complete 4 speed shifter assembly for my car, but I'm having trouble with part numbers. My car has an aftermarket shifter, so I don't really have anything to look at for a reference.

I looked in the JG, but it just says "round chrome knob on a straight chrome shaft with a constant diameter of approximately 3/4", similar to the standard shifter, except a chrome "T" handle is added for the reverse lock-out mechanism"

Does anyone have a part number or description that I could use when searching for one? Also, any advice on what to look for (or avoid) would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ashley

Ashley------


The shifter assembly you require was last available under GM #3889460. Unfortunately, it was discontinued from SERVICE in January, 1971 and replaced by GM #3960609. The latter was the 1968-74 shifter assembly. It will work for a 1964-67 Corvette but the shifter lever is shorter and angled a bit differently. It was a poor replacement for 64-67, but it was discontinued in May, 2000, anyway.

You're in luck, though. An excellent reproduction of the original shifter assembly is available from sources like Dr. Rebuild, Paragon, and Corvette Central. I believe these are manufactured by the original supplier to GM. If not, whoever makes them does a great job.

I would not recommend, AT ALL, looking for a used shifter assembly. Many of these will suffer from wear that will make them "balky", loose, and noisy. Nothing makes a transmission shift like a NEW shifter assembly.

[Ashley S.]

Re: 65 Shifter Assembly

Joe/Tom,
Thanks for the replies. It sounds like I definitely need to go the reproduction route. I'm glad to know the reproductions are this good.
Thanks for your help as always.

Ashley

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 Shifter Assembly

Joe/Tom,
Thanks for the replies. It sounds like I definitely need to go the reproduction route. I'm glad to know the reproductions are this good.
Thanks for your help as always.

Ashley

Ashley-----


Reconditioned original shifter assemblies are available, too, for about 100 bucks more than a reproduction. Personally, I'd go with a new shifter over a reconditioned unit. In order to make a reconditioned unit perform like a new unit, one needs to replace EVERY component of the original shifter. At that point, you don't have an original shifter anymore.

[Jim T.]

Re: 65 Shifter Assembly

I'm starting to look for a complete 4 speed shifter assembly for my car, but I'm having trouble with part numbers. My car has an aftermarket shifter, so I don't really have anything to look at for a reference.

I looked in the JG, but it just says "round chrome knob on a straight chrome shaft with a constant diameter of approximately 3/4", similar to the standard shifter, except a chrome "T" handle is added for the reverse lock-out mechanism"

Does anyone have a part number or description that I could use when searching for one? Also, any advice on what to look for (or avoid) would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Ashley

Volunteer Corvette parts www.volvettes.com has new shifter for your 65 and also sells master rebuild kit for rebuilding shifters.

[Joe L.]

Re: 65 Shifter Assembly

Volunteer Corvette parts www.volvettes.com has new shifter for your 65 and also sells master rebuild kit for rebuilding shifters.

Jim------


I've found that unless a rebuild kit contains a new shifter lever (and, none that I know of do), the rebuilt shifter will usually be deficient. The problem is that wear occurs on the blade at the bottom of the lever. Wear at this point will affect shifter operation even if every other part of the shifter assembly is replaced. There's no way I know of to repair the blade at the bottom of the lever. Presumably, it could be welded up and then machined down but getting that right without extensive trial and error would be difficult, if not impossible.

[Jim T.]

Re: 65 Shifter Assembly

Jim------


I've found that unless a rebuild kit contains a new shifter lever (and, none that I know of do), the rebuilt shifter will usually be deficient. The problem is that wear occurs on the blade at the bottom of the lever. Wear at this point will affect shifter operation even if every other part of the shifter assembly is replaced. There's no way I know of to repair the blade at the bottom of the lever. Presumably, it could be welded up and then machined down but getting that right without extensive trial and error would be difficult, if not impossible.

Joe the rebuild kit at Volunteer Corvette does not contain a new shifter lever, but it is available separately. New shifter is $199, rebuild kit $59, and new shifter lever $83. It is good that these parts are available.
My 42 soon to be 43 years old 68 original shifter chrome lever has a little rust at the bottom of the lever, but does not bother me enough to replace it.