Shift rod linkage(McGiver) HELP!

Couple wine corks trimmed and jammed in there where the rubber was.

Yes corks, chair leg rubber ends anything to take up the gap....Or,  A  bolt a 1/2" longer ... with 2 large fender washers on the outsides of the coupler then smaller diameter washers stacked inboard side or a piece of PVC pipe i.e sleeve material etc. ....... then  Nylock nut on the end should get you home....

^^That^^

Especially the PVC tube as spacers part.

Anything that will support the pull of a bolt on the outer ends and snip of a piece of garden hose from somewhere and leave a note and a $20 :~)

But by the time I’ve downed two bottles for the corks, I wouldn’t be able to find the car.

@Gotno356 So were you able to cobble something to get you on your way ?

So, I was able to take four rubber cushions for the feet of a couch and cut them down and stuff them into the middle of the Cupler, then drill a hole through for the through bolt but now the power went out and a thunderstorm came through. Torrential rains and 70degree temps are slowing my progress. So, I’m waiting until the morning to try it out and see if it works. If it works when I’m done I’m gonna put it in my tool kit to keep it for any other emergencies. I think it’s gonna work. I’m very excited to see. Thank you guys for all the suggestions. I appreciate it. Instead of wine corks, I started with tequila and cigars. Things seem fine right now. I guess we’ll see. I’ll let you know. Oh, and the power went out. Hahaha!

And fender washer outboard on each side.

@Gotno356 posted:

So, I was able to take four rubber cushions for the feet of a couch and cut them down and stuff them into the middle of the Cupler, then drill a hole through for the through bolt but now the power went out and a thunderstorm came through. Torrential rains and 70degree temps are slowing my progress. So, I’m waiting until the morning to try it out and see if it works. If it works when I’m done I’m gonna put it in my tool kit to keep it for any other emergencies. I think it’s gonna work. I’m very excited to see. Thank you guys for all the suggestions. I appreciate it. Instead of wine corks, I started with tequila and cigars. Things seem fine right now. I guess we’ll see. I’ll let you know. Oh, and the power went out. Hahaha!

I feel your pain.

First time in a decade I didn’t make it home under my own power.

@Gotno356 posted:

Torrential rains and 70degree temps are slowing my progress.

I understand torrential rains. I live in a temperate rain forest. But 70 degrees? This seems like a prime test drive temperature. Jus sayin.

I gotta agree with Carlos.  70 degrees is pretty much perfect.  Torrential rain, not so much.

Ta da ! .... I'm you were able to use my runner leg idea....

You should be good as long as it remains snug which it probably will.   

A number of years ago Carl Berry had the pin fall out of the mechanical fuel pump and we cobbled a bolt to fit as it's replacement, Carl never did change out that fuel pump and after his passing, his son in Florida may not know the pump is that way in the inherited speedster :~) !

Curious if you found bits of that after-market red poly shift coupler in tunnel?  The ones used on steering rag joint are dangerous!

After all I have seen with red urethane - poly parts there is not one piece made durable enough to withstand normal service. We all have seen the broken trans red mounts, that equates to a days work to change out, steering and shifter coupler, rag joint failures.  I had asked a Vendor I use regularly why he sell's it especially the red rag joints, he shrugged his shoulders until I showed him photos of red rag joints ....of which now he no longer stocks.

Alan Merklin's post X2.  Those red poly joints can ruin the best ride. 

Use CB's Rhino bushings as your replacement and never look back.  I can't believe builders still use these EMPI red parts (I saw some in a new build thread just the other day too).  It's not a matter of if, but when they fail.

We stopped using the prothane brand coupler bushings because they are red in color too and I just didn't want the association of the two...  CB's Rhino mounts (for everything, engine, trans, shift) is the way to go.

https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/6110.htm

On @chines1 suggestion and back when I had my transaxle re-rebuilt, I used the Rhino version of the shift coupler.  To say they're well made and rugged is an understatement.  In fact, I used the Rhino transaxle mounts, too, and as Carey says, I never looked back.

Well folks, I did it. I stuffed four of those feet cushions in there, a couple a fender washers and slapped it back in. The car shifts better than when the coupler was new. I was going to pull it and keep it as a spare, but it shifts so well, I may leave it. Butta! Like butta! Leaving Chester, we got more rain and then once in the valley it was 97 but overcast, so the ride was actually pleasant.
Those red poly bushings. Why Lord, WHY? Thank you all for your support. The satisfaction I got from fixing that thing with what I found in that small town made me feel pretty good.

I use the older round shift coupler.

Are they still available and where? Are they good?

Nice job!  I've fixed a few in parking lots with whatever I found in the truck or at a local hardware store...

@Gotno356, Congratulations on Mcgivering your way out of the problem. It's great to hear that you're back on the road again!

@Gotno356

Bug city has the older version, so I suspect other places have them, too.

https://www.bugcity.com/shop/s...pquery=shift+coupler

Regardless of where you buy it, I wouldn't settle for less than a Rhino coupler or a German one.

https://www.cbperformance.com/product-p/6110.htm

Excellent job with that fix, too!

I really didn't start out intending to use the older, round coupler.  I bought an adjustable end for my shortened shift rod and discovered it was for the older style coupler.  I do, however, think I prefer the round coupler.

@Alan Merklin I had a pin fall out of a fuel pump a few years back. The car ran fine untill you hit 3000 RPM, then it would quit and was tough to get it started again.  That one took me two or three days to figure out. Always managed to get home though!

Wonderful job! Glad you made it; I echo the others: I WOULD NEVER EVER use a red urethane or Prothane (same stuff but black) part. OEM or the CB stuff is it.

Thanks, I’m on the CB coupler.

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@Gotno356 , BTW, was talking to Tony just yesterday about couplers and he has a billet model custom made for him locally, and has them in stock.

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So it’s all billet, no bushings? I gotta see it. Might be our saving grace with these couplers. I haven’t ordered the CB one yet.Thanks Mitch, I’ll ring him up.
Tom