[DeTomaso] Shifter fix

Thu Nov 28 15:35:25 EST 2013

The grease attracting grit is likely an issue, since I went into the gravel on turn one at Willow Springs the week before. (I gotta remember to warm up those 15" wide slicks before trying to set my best time).
I'm going to R&R the whole shift linkage assembly and clean it real good.
The biggest difference I see between Mike and Mary's advice seems to be applying grease to the trunnion bearing. Since it's a distinct possibility I might have another unintended off-road adventure I'll try it first without grease.

Dan

Dan Courtney
24 Years of Excellent Representation
Excalibur Commercial Real Estate Services
La Jolla, CA
(858) 551-5455 P
(858) 551-5456 F

From: John Taphorn 
Sent: Thursday, November 28, 2013 6:34 AM
To: MikeLDrew at aol.com ; dan at excaliburre.com ; detomaso at poca.com 
Subject: Re: [DeTomaso] Shifter fix

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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