Any tips...shortening the hockey stick

Lets see....I've got a seat put together....the shifter is mounted,
so are the pedals....hmmmm....the tranny is in....finished the
steering column last night.....you know it would be cool to run
through the gears while making motor sounds in the garage.

Wait a minute....I could slap some old wheels on and the wife could
push me up and down the driveway.....

Anyway, any tricks or "watch-out-fors" when adjusting/shortening the
shifter hockey stick?

Thanx in advance,

Jerome

I can review my manual, but let me add that now is the time to put in
new shift rod tube bushings. After you bolt the body on you will not
be able to remove that rod to replace them without pulling the body.
A few bucks for good OEM bushings is wise money and time. I've heard
it said NOT to use the urethane bushings. Seems like they said they
break up rather than flexing. Back to shortening the rod. As I
recall you must put a straight scribe mark on the rod and then
shorten it, carefully keeping that scribe mark alligned.

Leave the hockey stick alone and shorten the shift rod.

(Message Edited 8/15/2002 12:26:09 PM)

Pull off the body....hmmmm....the body is already mounted. Why
exactly can't you remove the thing after the body is mounted?

Jerome

I have not built a kit, so my reply will be qualified, however, when
removing the shift rod out the front access hole due to its length it
will bump into the battery box on installed bodies, thus the quandry.
Oh my. I have read of people electing to cut holes in their battery
box so the tip of the rod can slide into it, and also of people
cutting a hole in their tunnel to gain access. I wouldn't fall on
your sword, someone will be able to tell you how to solve your
problem.

I don't think I'll have that problem. Since the floor pan in my car is fiberglass I had to install a sifter bracket cut out of a beetles floor pan. So If I have to I can drill out the pop rivits holding the bracket and since I had to make a special extension for the shifter coupling it's easy to get at the set screw. I should have no problems......famous last words.


Thanx

Jerome

Bug Pack 5528 is an adjustable shift rod kit. It works just like an adjustable push rod tube to allow minor adjustments in the tube length for fine tuning.

I shortened the rod this past week end. Works good. Thanks to all.

Jerome