66 Shifter

[Ralph B.]

Need your help:

1. What date or S/N did the 66 shifter mount change over from transmission mount to frame mount?

2. I have an original 69 shifter, can this be used on my 66 ? or are there differences?

Thank you,
Ralph

[David L.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Ralph,

My 1966 Corvette (Feb. 1966) came with the 3888263 bracket as shown in the AIM (UPC 6, sheet B6). The date on the Muncie 4-speed transmission is "P0211" (Feb. 11, 1966).

I believe that you can use your 1969 shifter.

Dave

[Michael H.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Need your help:

1. What date or S/N did the 66 shifter mount change over from transmission mount to frame mount?

2. I have an original 69 shifter, can this be used on my 66 ? or are there differences?

Thank you,
Ralph

A GM TSB shows a date of 21 March 1966 for the change to a crossmember mounted shifter.
I think quite a few early production cars were changed over to the new design in service because of complaints of shifter buzz.

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Need your help:

1. What date or S/N did the 66 shifter mount change over from transmission mount to frame mount?

2. I have an original 69 shifter, can this be used on my 66 ? or are there differences?

Thank you,
Ralph

Ralph-----

The 1964-67 and 68-76 Corvette shifters are functionally the same EXCEPT for the shifter lever. The 1969 shifter lever will not orient exactly correctly in the shifter opening in the mid-year console. Also, as I recall, the lever lengths are slightly different.

However, the 1968+ shifter assembly will work for a mid-year. In fact, GM cataloged the 68+ assembly for 64-67 SERVICE. It just won't be "exactly right".

Can you swap out the lever from a 1964 shifter assembly with one from the 1969 assembly? Yes, you can. However, understand that the "blade" which is an integral part of the lever (at the bottom) is critical for a properly functioning shifter. If the blade is worn, the shifter is not going to work right.

[David L.]

Re: 66 Shifter

A GM TSB shows a date of 21 March 1966 for the change to a crossmember mounted shifter.
I think quite a few early production cars were changed over to the new design in service because of complaints of shifter buzz.

Since the bulletin is dated June 13, 1966, and it states that "all Corvettes produced after the date 3-21-66 are equipped with the crossmember mounted gear shift control assembly" then my 1966 Corvette (body build date Feb.24, 1966) must have been changed sometime between 1966 and 1979 when I bought it. It did not have the original engine when I bought it but the transmission, flywheel, fan-clutch, and alternator were original based on the date codes and partial VIN on the transmission.

[Gary B.]

68+ Shifter; 77-82?

Joe,

Somehow I got the impression that the 68-76 shifter could also be used for 77-82. Is this incorrect?

Gary

[Wayne M.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Since the bulletin is dated June 13, 1966, and it states that "all Corvettes produced after the date 3-21-66 are equipped with the crossmember mounted gear shift control assembly ....

Related question: since the mod's described in the TSB involved drilling two 9/32" holes in the back face of the crossmember, for two 5/16" self-tapping screws (for dealer or owner modification on cars produced prior to 3-21), was the frame modified sometime prior to this date by the supplier so that this additional operation would not be necessary on the assembly line ?

[Joe L.]

Re: 68+ Shifter; 77-82?

Joe,

Somehow I got the impression that the 68-76 shifter could also be used for 77-82. Is this incorrect?

Gary

Gary------


The 1968-76 shifter was never cataloged by GM as a replacement for the 77-81 after the latter was discontinued. Once again, the shifter lever was different for the 1968-76 and 77-81. Could the 68-76 be used for 77-81 (and vice-versa)? I don't know.

[John H.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Related question: since the mod's described in the TSB involved drilling two 9/32" holes in the back face of the crossmember, for two 5/16" self-tapping screws (for dealer or owner modification on cars produced prior to 3-21), was the frame modified sometime prior to this date by the supplier so that this additional operation would not be necessary on the assembly line ?

Wayne -

I'm sure it was - the shifter bracket and attaching parts were released and added to the A.I.M. sheet eight months prior to the change actually being implemented on the line at St. Louis, so there was plenty of time for the A.O. Smith frame plant to add the two holes in the back wall of the crossmember.

[Michael H.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Since the bulletin is dated June 13, 1966, and it states that "all Corvettes produced after the date 3-21-66 are equipped with the crossmember mounted gear shift control assembly" then my 1966 Corvette (body build date Feb.24, 1966) must have been changed sometime between 1966 and 1979 when I bought it. It did not have the original engine when I bought it but the transmission, flywheel, fan-clutch, and alternator were original based on the date codes and partial VIN on the transmission.

Something that may be a hint as to the originality of the bracked may be it's attaching bolts. If dealer installed, I would guess that the bolts are just typical hardware store type. I don't remember what the correct assembly line bolts were though. Possibly washer head??

[Gary B.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Joe,

Is there any easy way to visually distinguish between a 68-76 shifter and a 77-81 shifter?

Gary

[David L.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Something that may be a hint as to the originality of the bracked may be it's attaching bolts. If dealer installed, I would guess that the bolts are just typical hardware store type. I don't remember what the correct assembly line bolts were though. Possibly washer head??

When I did my frame-up restoration from 1980 to 1995 I believe that I reused the original bolts for the shifter bracket. I have that information in my restoration records as I kept track of all minor details like bolt markings, etc. When I get a chance I will go to the archives.

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Joe,

Is there any easy way to visually distinguish between a 68-76 shifter and a 77-81 shifter?

Gary

The shifter lever on the 77-81 shifters is 7/8" longer than that used on the 68-76 shifter.

[Gary B.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Thanks Joe. And I know the 68-76 shifter was longer than that the 63-67 shifter.

Gary

[Joe L.]

Re: 66 Shifter

Something that may be a hint as to the originality of the bracked may be it's attaching bolts. If dealer installed, I would guess that the bolts are just typical hardware store type. I don't remember what the correct assembly line bolts were though. Possibly washer head??

Michael-----


The original screws were flanged, hex head and of 5/16-18 thread size and 3/4" length. They were phosphate-finished.