70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

[Bill L.]

Any tips on removing the shifter?

Can the side cover be removed with the transmission in the car?

Figured if it can, I will replace the side cover gasket and shift lever seals since they all leak.

Thanks,



Bill

[Edward J.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Bill, you should be able to remove side cover w/ trans in car. Trans does have to be in second gear for the shift forks to be removed with the cover.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Thanks Edward,

I read on another forum that there was not enough room in the tunnel.

Anything particularly tricky about getting the shifter out?

Bill

[Patrick H.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Getting the shifter out is not fun, but I've done it a few times. It's far easier on a lift.
It's also easier if you remove the long horizontal levers, and you'll have to finesse the shifter + bracket to get them out. One of those jobs where you get it out and then swear it shouldn't fit back in there when you try to reinstall it.

Patrick

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

HI Patrick,

Thanks Patrick. I do not have a lift so at least I know.

Appreciate the frankness.

Bill

[Edward J.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Bill are you removing the shifter to replace or repair? if not just drop the shifter linkage to remove cover.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Bill are you removing the shifter to replace or repair? if not just drop the shifter linkage to remove cover.

Hi Edward,

The shifter, at a minimum, needs adjusting. I was planning to rebuild the shifter. It is very difficult putting it in reverse and sloppy going in to each gear. I figured I could pull the cover too and replace the side cover gasket, shifter rod seals, and the TCS gasket if there is one.

Bill

[Edward J.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Bill do a close inspection of the linkage arms and rods for wear, alot of time they will wear at the piviot points, The shifter can also be suspect.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Bill do a close inspection of the linkage arms and rods for wear, alot of time they will wear at the piviot points, The shifter can also be suspect.

Excellent advice. I do know that the clutch linkages all had a lot of wear at the connections, so it makes sense that the shifter linkage may be worn too.

Thanks, Bill

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

One more question. Can all the bolts be removed from underneath?

Thanks, Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

One more question. Can all the bolts be removed from underneath?

Thanks, Bill

Bill------


Yes, all the bolts can be removed from under the car.

If the shifter has worn parts, as they often do, I recommend replacing the entire shifter assembly rather than trying to rebuild what you have. Very often the shifter lever will show considerable wear on the integral "blade" at the bottom and which is critical for proper shifter operation. If you replace the lever along with other shifter parts that are often worn, too, it will end up costing as much as a new shifter. You're better off with a completely new shifter than one that combines old and new parts.

[Bill C.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

well ---
just an FYI, you will need to remove the PASS head pipe to get the clearance you need to remove the cover.

Also - I never been able to get a cover out, to close to the tunnel.

If you can find a way to rotate the transmission to get the cover facing more downward than sideways, then slipping the cover off is easy.
I did this once, but after disconnecting all the junk that keeps it bolted straight, I figured real quickly its just a couple more steps and you can take the thing completely out.

Guess what I am trying to say is - just remove it. It will take longer to to get the cover off/on than just removing the trany.

My 2 cents....

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

well ---
just an FYI, you will need to remove the PASS head pipe to get the clearance you need to remove the cover.

Also - I never been able to get a cover out, to close to the tunnel.

If you can find a way to rotate the transmission to get the cover facing more downward than sideways, then slipping the cover off is easy.
I did this once, but after disconnecting all the junk that keeps it bolted straight, I figured real quickly its just a couple more steps and you can take the thing completely out.

Guess what I am trying to say is - just remove it. It will take longer to to get the cover off/on than just removing the trany.

My 2 cents....

I may consider doing as you suggest Bill. I just have to do it lying on my back so I am not real excited about the prospect of lifting it back up lying on my back. Did it years ago in my GTO but I was 30 years younger.


Joe,

If I go the replacement route as you suggest, how are the reproduction shifters? I alway prefer original but NOS shifters are not all that common and pretty pricey.

Thanks.


Bill

[Joe L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

I may consider doing as you suggest Bill. I just have to do it lying on my back so I am not real excited about the prospect of lifting it back up lying on my back. Did it years ago in my GTO but I was 30 years younger.


Joe,

If I go the replacement route as you suggest, how are the reproduction shifters? I alway prefer original but NOS shifters are not all that common and pretty pricey.

Thanks.


Bill

Bill------


The last reproduction shifter I looked at appeared absolutely identical with GM. I would not be surprised if these are manufactured by the same firm that manufactured them for GM. I have not used a reproduction shifter, though, so I cannot say if there are any performance differences.

[Bill L.]

Re: 70 muncie shifter and side cover removal

Bill------


The last reproduction shifter I looked at appeared absolutely identical with GM. I would not be surprised if these are manufactured by the same firm that manufactured them for GM. I have not used a reproduction shifter, though, so I cannot say if there are any performance differences.

I just wanted to begin closing the loop.

Shifter is out and frankly was far easier than I expected. Had the exhaust down already, disconnected linkage from transmission, removed transmission mount and bracket, drive shaft was already down, and really had no problem.

Still debating replacing shifter or rebuilding original and whether to drop the transmission. I was having no problem with the clutch an pedal play was about perfect.

Thanks for all the input!

Bill