Transmissions and Drivetrain Need help with your trans? Problems with your axle?

How hard is it to install a ratcheting shifter?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 05-10-2005, 08:35 PM
  #1  
Supreme Member
Thread Starter
iTrader: (1)
 
firebirdjosh's Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2004
Location: Worcester, MA
Posts: 3,361
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Car: 86 T/A
Engine: HSR 355
Transmission: 700R4
Axle/Gears: 2.77 posi
How hard is it to install a ratcheting shifter?

I've done all sorts of body work and general maintanence but have never worked on a transmission. I'd LOVE to get a ratcheting shifter but I'm not sure if I'm comfortable installing it. How hard and how long does it take the average guy to install?
Old 05-10-2005, 08:40 PM
  #2  
Moderator
TGO - 10 Year Member
 
AlkyIROC's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 1999
Location: 51°N 114°W, 3500'
Posts: 17,169
Likes: 0
Received 138 Likes on 116 Posts
Car: 87 IROC L98
Engine: 588 Alcohol BBC
Transmission: Powerglide
Axle/Gears: Ford 9"/31 spline spool/4.86
No modifications needed. It's a bolt in item.

Well maybe the only modification might be to drill some different mounting holes depending on what shifter you buy.
Old 05-10-2005, 09:50 PM
  #3  
Senior Member

iTrader: (1)
 
speedingpenguin's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2003
Location: MA
Posts: 955
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 1981 Chevy Malibu, 1987 Formula 350
Engine: 229 V6, L98 TPI 350
Transmission: TH350, 700R4
Axle/Gears: 10 bolt ???, 9 bolt 3.27 posi
yeah dude its fairly easy (so far its been at least, lol)
i dont have a rachet shifter, rather a gated shifter, but basicly a shifters a shifter and the only difference would be in the shifter mechanism itself, but pretty much ya just gotta bolt it to the tranny tunnel and then install and run the cable the way the directions say to and i guess you'll be fine....
i've still gotta put my engine and tranny in, but i bolted the shifter in yesterday
only thing i had to do was i used some bolts and washers as a sort of spacer between the actual tranny tunnel and the little brackets that are there for the shifter, cause it was just pulling the brackets down when i was tightening the bolts and stuff
but yeah, it shouldnt be a problem

in the first pic ya can see sorta how it bolts down, in the second pic its how its gonna stay (gotta get a new carpet eventually so it doesnt look quite so bad and unfinished)

Old 05-10-2005, 11:50 PM
  #4  
Supreme Member

 
88Camaro350's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2003
Location: B'ville, WV
Posts: 1,781
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Car: 2002 Formula Firebird
Engine: LS1
Transmission: 4l60e
Axle/Gears: 3.23
B&M megashifters are pretty easy to install. The hardest part is getting the cable adjusted right. It will take you about 2 hours maybe to install it and maybe 30 min to 1 hour to get the cable perfect. It isn't to bad. I love the megashifter to.
Old 05-11-2005, 03:47 PM
  #5  
Supreme Member

 
TomP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Originally posted by 88Camaro350
B&M megashifters are pretty easy to install. The hardest part is getting the cable adjusted right.
I agree 100% with him! I installed the B&M Console Megashfiter a lonnng time ago, and the hardest part I had was cutting the console top (has to be done with 85-up Firebirds). But Camaros and 82-84 Firebirds don't have to do any console mods. I laid their template down on the console cover, and traced it out. Ten I used a cutting tip on a soldering gun to slice thru the plastic. Finally I was Very Careful in drilling the holes for the console cover's screws, since they go into plastic. Came out great, looks factory!

A lot of people rush thru the shift cable adjustment... not sure why.

If you get the B&M Console Megashifter- and probably any other console ratchet- here's a tip. First read thru the instructions; if one of the steps needs a part, seal the part into a baggie and write the step # on the baggie. That way when you do the installation "for real", you're not shuffling thru parts on the garage floor- you'll have them all labeled out and ready to grab.
Old 05-11-2005, 03:51 PM
  #6  
Supreme Member

 
TomP's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2000
Location: Central NJ, USA
Posts: 13,414
Likes: 0
Received 6 Likes on 6 Posts
Car: 1986 Firebird
Engine: 2.8 V6
Transmission: 700R4
Here's a link with more info, and near the bottom, you'll see my picture (with the steering wheel off, I was fixing my ignition lock) https://www.thirdgen.org/techbb2/sho...hreadid=172801
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
camaro11j
Transmissions and Drivetrain
4
09-19-2018 08:49 AM
NBrehm
Engine/Drivetrain/Suspension Parts for Sale
1
08-25-2015 11:49 PM
SolarGoldRaptor
Carburetors
16
08-25-2015 02:25 PM
mustangman65_79
Interior
14
08-13-2015 07:36 AM



Quick Reply: How hard is it to install a ratcheting shifter?



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 09:22 PM.