How to set up and align a 4-speed Corvette shifter. Bonus video modifying the reverse rod.

Early Corvette 4-speed shifters align differently than most other common shifters. For one, they use a flat slot instead of an alignment hole. Two, they align with the reverse rod all the way forward instead of inline like most others. Three, if you use a Muncie 4-speed instead of a Borg Warner, the reverse rod will be shorter. I was not going to do a video on the alignment until I realized that I could not find one on line. I decided to make this one for all of you 4-speed Corvette lovers out there. With 4-speed transmissions getting harder to find, I threw in a bonus video on shortening the reverse rod so you can replace the Borg Warner with a Muncie if need be. Check out my other video on installing the shifter and/or follow the entire build on this car.

[@probablyyou]

On a C3 with Muncie, the reverse arm on the trans points down.

[@steveherzog5083]

I think it is designed to use feeler gauges to insert into the alignment pin slot

[@essigspeed]

That makes sense. Thanks, I will be realigning it in the near future after fixing a leak. I will try it then.

[@johnobrien5618]

this reminds me of my 63 corvette im restoring, previous owner had extended the clutch rod because he put the wrong z bar in. I bought the right zbar and clutch rod and wow wouldn't ya know it worked perfect with the correct parts. no cuttin or weldin

[@essigspeed]

Yup, I get it. The worst part about it, it is the transmission that is incorrect on my project. Everything from the hydraulic clutch to the Muncie, never came in this car. It would have been much easier if I used all original parts. Then again, the 454 engine doesn't belong there either. Thats the difference between a hot rod and a restoration. Gotta love a 63

[@lindabennett6562]

Hey E.E. I’m working on a 1985 Corvette. I put in a new clutch assembly along with new master cylinder and new slave cylinder. Now the problem, The transmission is stuck in reverse. I thought all I needed to do was put the shift lever in neutral inside the car and then make the adjustment on the transmission linkage but I can’t shift into any gears. I heard I may need a tool to align the shifter inside the car but I have no idea what I need. Also,one guy said he took the drivers seat out and part of the console to get at the shifter but he didn’t have a video of what he did. I’m at a loss and getting stressed about this. I’m doing the job for a friend and he wants his Vette. From underneath the car I can’t see anything like you showed cus everything is enclosed. This transmission is a Doug Nash 4+3. If you can help me, I would even pay you. Thank you, Matt.

[@essigspeed]

Unfortunately, I am not well versed in the C4 Corvettes shifter configuration, but the Doug Nash is basically a Borg Warner T-10 with an added over drive on the tail shaft. The shifter should have either a slot like in the C3 video, which is very hard to see, or it will have a dowel slot like the one in my Gremlin 4-speed video. Either way you will have to access the shifter. The reason you are likely jammed in reverse is because the shifter is not passing center to move to the next gear. Disconnect all the levers and put the trans in neutral manually. With all the paddles in neutral position, align the shifter. If you can't access the shifter from underneath, you may have to remove the console. I would think there has to be some type of access panel. Make sure you did not install the shift rods upside down. That would put it in reverse instead of neutral making it impossible to shift into other gears. If you have a way to get it here, I would be more than happy to help but I think if you access the shifter and put the rods in neutral, you will get it. You can email me at [e-mail] if you need more information.

[@lindabennett6562]

@@essigspeed You helped me just by getting back to me E.E. I may need to take the seat out like i saw in a video by a young person who had the same problem but he didn’t get into any details other than removing the drivers seat and console which i will do. I did take the shift rods off the trans and manually put it into neutral but now i just need to know how to line the shifter up. I joined a corvette forum but haven’t had any responses. I called a dealership and they said they don’t go back that far for any special tools. I think they wanted me to bring the Vette in. I’ll let you know how it goes and thank you so much.

[@RonHelen]

Does the alignment tool have to go through all three leavers or just two?

[@essigspeed]

All of them. If I remember correctly, the reverse lever is slightly forward during alignment

[@fredchristopher6313]

What is the width of the alignment gauge ?

[@essigspeed]

Sorry, I do not know. I just kept grinding the edge until it fit. The snugger the better.

[@edpetrikk2027]

Great video …Just curious …Why didn’t you just install the proper shifter ? 🤔😁👍

[@essigspeed]

Well Ed, the truth is that it is the proper shifter. The problem lay with the transmission. The shifter is correct, but the transmission is supposed to be a Borg Warner, not a Muncie. Sadly, I had a Borg Warner sitting right next to the Muncie and I simply did not do my homework and chose the wrong one. Being a Hot Rod guy, "making it work" is my forte' so while it made for a little work and some trial and error, it works. The best part of the whole thing is the cost. $75.00 for the transmission w/bell, $150 for the shifter assembly, and $0.00 for the Flywheel. I spent a few dollars for the flywheel bolts and the hydraulic clutch cost more than the rest of the swap but all in all it works. Stay tuned in the near future as I work the bugs out of all this modification. The clutch needs adjusting, the brakes won't release, the windows don't work, and the alarm won't shut off to name a few. I love the channels where everything goes perfect the first time... Yup, not this one.

[@edpetrikk2027]

@@essigspeed WHOA …Where did you get the Tranny for $75 ? Did you get arrested for stealing ? Thanks for your reply ..Junior 👍😁

[@essigspeed]

I bought it and the Borg Warner from a guy selling Mopar parts. To him Chevy stuff is worthless, so for $75.00 each I brought them home. They were both locked up, but I filled this one with automatic transmission fluid and it freed up before I finished pouring it in.

[@equisequis.55]

i have a hard time putting mine in reverse. i pull up on the T handle and move it forward but it wont engage . it just wants to go in first gear. what is the problem?

[@essigspeed]

If the linkages are not near perfectly aligned, reverse just won't go. It's a pain but you will have to get back under your car and realign everything. Sometimes it only takes a turn or two of the linkage adjustment. It is usually the linkage next to reverse, not the reverse linkage itself but I recommend aligning them all again. Make sure your tool fits tightly in the slot or it can cause the problem you are having.

[@equisequis.55]

when you say tool slightly in the slot, does that mean I need to buy a special tool for that?@@essigspeed

[@essigspeed]

The tighter the tool the better to eliminate slop. I made one out of an old slim jim door lock tool, but any thin metal or plastic will work. One viewer suggested feeler gauges, but I think they might be too narrow. The slot is roughly one inch wide and 1/16 thick. An old wooden or steel ruler might work. You will have to cut it shorter and maybe trim it up a bit, but it should work. I am sure GM made a tool but finding one now is unlikely.

[@levihammer9285]

Hey man I have a 76 L82 with a Muncie 4 speed. Today I was cruising around, stopped at a light, and then suddenly from neutral it would not shift into 1st or 2nd anymore. Basically the left side of the H pattern is locked out and I can’t even move it over to the 1-2 and reverse side. Does this sound like a shifter issue? Or a tranny issue?

[@essigspeed]

Definitely a shifter issue. Something may have come loose, broken, or got jammed in it. Try taking off all the levers and see if the shifter will go to the left. The lock out lever may not be disengaging. If it is not -perfectly aligned this can happen as well. If it was the transmission, it would either lock in one gear, not move in one gear, pop out of gear, or make awful noises. These shifters are as finicky as a rich lady's cat.

[@levihammer9285]

As a rich ladies cat.. haha. Got it. 3rd and 4th work just fine and the clutch operation is as it should, just can’t physically move it over to the 1-2 shift side. I’ll try to get under her to see if anything came loose or bent etc. thanks a bunch man.

[@levihammer9285]

@essigspeed well turns out you were right. Shifter issue. Linkage was bound up. She’s all good now. Thank you!

[@essigspeed]

You are welcome

[@thud9797]

The 76 should have the Warner T-10 unless it has been changed.

[@kraftdinner8922]

the music is horrible

[@kraftdinner8922]

music is horrible

[@essigspeed]

I will be sure and tell the band.