[DeTomaso] Shifter alignment question.

[MikeLDrew at aol.com]

In a message dated 7/10/13 19 21 52, wjbitner at yahoo.com writes:


> Asked another way, how would
> I move the shifter's position about 1/8" to the left or right?
> 

>>>The splines are NOT the way to do it.

There is an adjustable turnbuckle setup just forward of the trunnion 
bearing.   This is used to both adjust overall length of the system, and also 
side-to-side positioning of the shift lever.

There are two big nuts on this beast.   One of them has tiny notches in 
it--this one is reverse thread!   Righty loosey, lefty tighty.

If you want to adjust the length of the system, so that the shift lever is 
in the proper fore-aft position, loosen both nuts.   Then turn the bit in 
the center (between the nuts).   One way will move the lever forward, the 
other way will bring it back.

If you just want to adjust side-to-side position, loosen ONE nut.   You can 
then move the shift lever side-to-side without moving anything downstream 
of the loose nut.

As a technique, once the fore-aft position is right, you can shift the car 
into 3rd gear.   Use bits of cardboard (or whatever) to shim the lever so 
that it is perfectly centered, then tighten the nut.   Note that there is a 
bit of tortional flex in the system when you tighten the nut, so that you may 
find the lever is not exactly centered when you're done.   Trial and error 
will help out here.   Sometimes I've had to jam the lever hard against one 
side of the 3rd gear gate, tighten the nut, and then when I was done, the 
lever was perfectly centered.

You should be able to get all gears easily, and not drag the lever against 
the gate in the 1-2 shift.

Aftermarket gates (the thick aluminum ones) are often improperly machined.  
 They have exactly the same lateral dimensions as the stock gate, but the 
vendor forgot to account for the fact that the gate is taller, so it impacts 
the shift lever higher up, and prevents the same amount of side-to-side 
movement.   Often you can get 1-5 gears but can't get reverse, and the only 
solution is to use a file and file the left side of the reverse opening in the 
gate.   But you should not have to do that with a factory gate.

Good luck!

Mike