The Official 356Talk Forum

My first post! There was some "slop" in the shifting on my super 90 coupe. I decided to change the bushings on the linkage. I changed the ball cup and the circular bushing that the shift rod passes thru. This one was pretty worn. All went pretty well, but... I did NOT do a good job of marking the position of the crimp clamp on the transmission shifter rod. My bad, I know. So... I am struggling to find the proper adjustment. I read that you put the transmission in second gear, loosen the clamp, push against the reverse lock-out and make the gearshift vertically straight up. Tighten the clamp. I think that was a Skirmant post or article. Well... Struggling to find what I once had!..... Joe

Gearshift vertically 90 degrees to floor when in NEUTRAL by fore and aft adjustment after 2nd gear to be in correct plane and things should be just fine or at least very close. This method assumes that your shift lockout plate is not worn out and that you have the transmission in 2nd gear when adjusting.

How are the bushings in the shift coupler?

Mike

Did you check the bushing that the "peace pipe" shift shaft rides in also?

Gonna give this a go again this weekend. Thanks Doug for the direction. I will report back. Peace pipe bushings look good. Gotta check the coupler bushings.... Thanks guys.... Joe

Glad we could be of help. Keep us posted.

Mike

The bushings are so cheap I always replace all of them while apart. The warm knife through butter feeling when shifting is worth it. I have done it on 3 of the 4 356s I have owned and never regretted it.

Doug McDonnell wrote:The bushings are so cheap I always replace all of them while apart. The warm knife through butter feeling when shifting is worth it. I have done it on 3 of the 4 356s I have owned and never regretted it.

This is sorta like adjusting the throttle linkage. Want 15-20% more power than you have? Adjust the linkage which is now opening the butterflies to 80% of full throttle.
A competent 356 wrench will do so (and bill you for the time) if you prefer to buy it; the other folks won't have an idea of what you're talking about.
Find the guy who will do it, pay his bills so he can do OJT on some bright kid.

Update... All good! A little patience, and Doug's guidance got it done. Thanks everyone for the help!... Joe

So smooth isn't it now? Congrats on a job well done.