What am I doing wrong?(Project Complete!)

[JRV1631]

So I tried to convert my shifter this morning with the kit that @Nova shared in an earlier thread. A link to the kit is here: https://www.wmgarage.com/product-page/automatic-shaft-conversion-kit Disassembly was uneventful. There are 2 tabs on the boot that you need to pry out while pulling the stock shifter from the boot. I found that much easier with two people. I pried the tabs while the wife pulled the shifter out. Reassembly with the new shifter was where I ran into an issue. There are three screw holes on the metal shifter column. If I used the lower two it would free shift into any gear. Locking out and requiring pressure on the ball nowhere. That’s no good. But, if I move it up and use the center screw as “bottom” it locks out where appropriate but will not go into park. Tried using it with no boot and it still would not go into park. Put the stock shifter back on and all is well. The only thing I can think of is on a trial fit the white center plunger came up and out with the shifter. Is there a front or back to how that goes? Once again on another trial fit I did accidentally put it in park using the new shifter. I was doing the work from the passenger side and had to go around to the driver side to unlock the trans and move the shifter back. Any ideas?

 

[Nova]

So I tried to convert my shifter this morning with the kit that @Nova shared in an earlier thread. A link to the kit is here: https://www.wmgarage.com/product-page/automatic-shaft-conversion-kit Disassembly was uneventful. There are 2 tabs on the boot that you need to pry out while pulling the stock shifter from the boot. I found that much easier with two people. I pried the tabs while the wife pulled the shifter out. Reassembly with the new shifter was where I ran into an issue. There are three screw holes on the metal shifter column. If I used the lower two it would free shift into any gear. Locking out and requiring pressure on the ball nowhere. That’s no good. But, if I move it up and use the center screw as “bottom” it locks out where appropriate but will not go into park. Tried using it with no boot and it still would not go into park. Put the stock shifter back on and all is well. The only thing I can think of is on a trial fit the white center plunger came up and out with the shifter. Is there a front or back to how that goes? Once again on another trial fit I did accidentally put it in park using the new shifter. I was doing the work from the passenger side and had to go around to the driver side to unlock the trans and move the shifter back. Any ideas?

Another guy said he had to shave about a 1/4" of the white plastic piece that's in the center of the shifter shaft.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

 

[JRV1631]

Another guy said he had to shave about a 1/4" of the white plastic piece that's in the center of the shifter shaft.

Sent from my SM-G986U using Tapatalk

Mystery solved. I started comparing all parts side by side. Should have done that first probably. The holes on the insert for the boot that comes with the kit are closer than the same holes on the stock shifter. There are 3 holes on the shaft. The stock shifter uses the top two. The insert only lines up with the bottom two. But that’s where there’s free shift and no lock out anywhere. When I used the bottom insert hole with the middle screw hole that’s where it was functioning except for going into park. But, line up the top shaft hole and top insert whole and, all is fine. With the top screw holding the insert drill a M4 X 6mm pilot hole for the bottom insert hole and you’re done. Pics to follow this weekend. M4 X 6mm machine screws and star washers are not everyday stock items. At least not near me. I dropped (fat fingered) one of the sets that I had. So internet to the rescue...but not until Saturday. All I could find local was M4 X 12MM and it works great in a mock up. But I’m not leaving it like that or stacking 6mm of locking washers on a 12MM screw.
Shortening the plunger may be another way of achieving the same result. But you can’t buy the plunger separately. You have to buy the whole shifter. I’m not comfortable cutting something I can’t readily replace.

 

[JRV1631]

Mystery solved. I started comparing all parts side by side. Should have done that first probably. The holes on the insert for the boot that comes with the kit are closer than the same holes on the stock shifter. There are 3 holes on the shaft. The stock shifter uses the top two. The insert only lines up with the bottom two. But that’s where there’s free shift and no lock out anywhere. When I used the bottom insert hole with the middle screw hole that’s where it was functioning except for going into park. But, line up the top shaft hole and top insert whole and, all is fine. With the top screw holding the insert drill a M4 X 6mm pilot hole for the bottom insert hole and you’re done. Pics to follow this weekend. M4 X 6mm machine screws and star washers are not everyday stock items. At least not near me. I dropped (fat fingered) one of the sets that I had. So internet to the rescue...but not until Saturday. All I could find local was M4 X 12MM and it works great in a mock up. But I’m not leaving it like that or stacking 6mm of locking washers on a 12MM screw.
Shortening the plunger may be another way of achieving the same result. But you can’t buy the plunger separately. You have to buy the whole shifter. I’m not comfortable cutting something I can’t readily replace.

Here’s the finished result. Couldn’t be happier with it! Brings a bit of the exterior color to the interior.

 

[CCXVI]

If I could use my old Hurst T handle I might do this but I know the thread is different

 

[JRV1631]

I was thinking about going with the old T handle the SHO’s had prior to the current vertical design. Hadn’t investigated yet to see if it was a direct swap. Then I learned that this could work.

M4 X 6mn is a pretty small screw. Before I knew the size and started looking into additional screws I knew to check metric and standard. There seems to be a good mix of both in there.

 

[skyshadow07]

Much like my sexuality, I'm so confused on if I like this or not. Even added it to cart but pushed the tab to my second monitor to ponder on the idea.

 

[SHOCALL]

Much like my sexuality, I'm so confused on if I like this or not. Even added it to cart but pushed the tab to my second monitor to ponder on the idea.

Lol

 

[JRV1631]

Much like my sexuality, I'm so confused on if I like this or not. Even added it to cart but pushed the tab to my second monitor to ponder on the idea.

It took 4 times for me before I completed the purchase. And now since we’ve had nothing but rain I haven’t taken the car out at all. But I love it sitting in the garage!

 

[CCXVI]

How involved is the install on this?

 

[JRV1631]

How involved is the install on this?

It’s pretty easy. I did the work from the passenger side once I put the shifter in drive and shut off the car. Open the console and remove the trim along the side that the ignition switch is in. I never had to unplug it. Just leave it loose. Then use a trim removal tool to take up the bezel the boot is attached to. Then unscrew the stock shifter from the shaft. Depress the tabs on the stock shifter and pull it out of the boot. Then follow the install instruction for the shifter and take note of my Feb 8th post that begins “Mystery solved” above for which screw holes to use to attach the replacement shifter and reassemble.