[DeTomaso] Shifter fix

[John Taphorn]

My experience with improving stiff shifter movement is different than 
the honorable and well intentioned Mr. Drew.

1) It is easy to remove the shifter assembly from the car.  Do so, 
disassemble it, clean and reassemble with lightweight engine assembly 
lube. 00 weight I think.  I disagree with Mike regarding removal of the 
centering spring as it presents no problem to shifting when properly 
lubricated.  You will be surprised at how much dirt has collected in the 
rather protected area. That and hardened grease are the enemy, not the 
spring and centering detent. On many cars, the dirt acting as a grit has 
grooved the surface that the detent is supposed to glide upon.  If you 
are handy, you can repair this surface with sanding and polishing.  If 
you are incapable of the task, this is a circumstance where removing the 
spring and detent may be a better solution.

2) The biggest obstacle to smooth shaft movement is the collection of 
hardened grease and dirt in the accordion gasket and on the shaft where 
the shaft passes through the firewall.  If you can clean that gasket out 
as well as the area of the shaft that passes through it, you will be 
amazed at the improvement.  Any permanent lubrication added here will 
work for a limited time as it is such a dirty environment.  I recommend 
no lubrication or the occasional spray of WD40 which will help keep the 
surface clean.  This is my first go to spot when someone complains of 
stiff shifting and it corrects most of the problem almost every time.

3) Same approach with the trunion.  No grease, keep shifter shaft clean 
with occasional spray of WD40.  Any lube will attract dirt on the first 
drive and that will behave as sandpaper wearing the bushing even 
faster.  The WD40 acts as a cleaning agent before it evaporates away and 
is not longer a dirt magnet.

Happy Thanksgiving
J, happy shifter, T


On 11/28/2013 3:09 AM, MikeLDrew at aol.com wrote:
>
> In a message dated 11/27/13 10 41 3, dan at excaliburre.com writes:
>
>
>> At the track Sunday we removed the snap ring, the cover plate and an 
>> extremely rusty and crusty spring. I thought that was the whole 
>> assembly but now I see there's a cylinder at the bottom of the shaft. 
>> I'll try and pry this up and out.
>
> >>>It's probably not acting much on the system, but you might as well 
> ditch it too.
>
>
>> > Between removing the spring and spraying WD 40 on the trunnion 
>> bearing The Beast shifter much better, for about ten laps, then went 
>> back to the stage where I'm having to force it into gear (mainly 2nd 
>> and 3rd).
>
> >>>WD40 is way, way too light for this task.  It wasn't even 
> originally designed to be a lubricant; it's a water displacement fluid 
> (WD).  Only secondarily did they discover that it was pretty good at 
> eliminating squeaks in door hinges and the like.
>
> But what you need is grease, not WD.
>
>> > I was wondering if the gear oil was breaking down due to heat. My 
>> next planned post was to ask for advice on gear oil.
>
> >>>Not a chance. :>)
>
>> > I suppose it's also possible the WD-40 wore out.
>
> >>>Really, it's the wrong tool for the job.  I use aerosol lithium 
> grease, and it needs redoing every now and again.
>
>> > By the way, the "roval" at California Speedway is perfect for 
>> Panteras. It consists of an infield course with all kinds of turns 
>> and 1/2 the banked oval the NASCAR boys use. What a blast it was 
>> running up that bank at 160+!
>>
> >>>I've had a ride there as a passenger--awesome!
>
> Mike
>
>
>
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