1960 356B broken gear shifter

356 Porsche-related discussions and questions.
Post Reply
Message
Author
JD van der Werf
356 Fan
Posts: 2
Joined: Fri Oct 31, 2008 3:49 pm
Location: Berkeley CA

1960 356B broken gear shifter

#1 Post by JD van der Werf »

I managed to snap my gear shifter while downshifting from 3rd to 2nd gear. See pictures for fracture details. Is this repairable or should I look for a replacement? The material seems mixture of copper and steel. Was thinking to use some threaded rod but may be hard to get the alignment correct. Thoughts?
Attachments
IMG_8349.JPG
IMG_8348.JPG
JD | 1960 T5 coupe | Berkeley CA

User avatar
Mike Wilson
Classifieds Monitor
Posts: 11492
Joined: Tue Apr 15, 2008 4:37 pm
Location: SW Los Angeles

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#2 Post by Mike Wilson »

If it were me, I'd get another one. Not worth worrying if the fix is adequate.

Mike
Mike Wilson
Lomita, CA
'63 B coupe

User avatar
Ron LaDow
356 Fan
Posts: 8092
Joined: Wed Mar 26, 2008 11:45 am
Location: San Francisco

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#3 Post by Ron LaDow »

Looked at it and was tempted to offer some fix, but there's many more shift levers chasing way fewer T6Bs, so I'm voting with Mike.
(BTW, the Cu is likely the under-plating for the chrome, and if you could find a C-fiber rod of exactly the right size....)
Ron LaDow
www.precisionmatters.biz

User avatar
Vic Skirmants
Registry Hall of Fame
Posts: 9279
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:02 pm
Location: SE Michigan
Contact:

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#4 Post by Vic Skirmants »

Have seen several; can be fixed by a good welder. Then it would be stronger than original. A threaded rod would have multiple possible fracture points. Be sure the welder attaches it in the correct direction!

User avatar
C J Murray
356 Fan
Posts: 9162
Joined: Fri Oct 23, 2009 7:24 pm
Location: 30MI WEST OF PHILA
Contact:

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#5 Post by C J Murray »

Vic Skirmants wrote:Be sure the welder attaches it in the correct direction!
Backwards would be very cool, like an AC Cobra!
'57 Speedster
'59 Sunroof
'60 Devin D Porsche Race Car
'63 Cabriolet "Norm"
'67 911 S Original Owner
'03 Ferrari 575M
'09 Smart Passion

User avatar
Vic Skirmants
Registry Hall of Fame
Posts: 9279
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:02 pm
Location: SE Michigan
Contact:

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#6 Post by Vic Skirmants »

You'd hit your knuckles on the fuel cock.

User avatar
Martin Benade
356 Fan
Posts: 12193
Joined: Wed Nov 23, 2011 10:52 am
Location: Cleveland, Ohio

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#7 Post by Martin Benade »

That is not the typical T6 shifter, so finding a replacement might not be so easy. Its the early version with pins in the bottom ball. Welding may be the ticket.
Cleveland Ohio
62 Cabriolet
56 VW
02 IS 300
04 Sienna

User avatar
Vic Skirmants
Registry Hall of Fame
Posts: 9279
Joined: Tue Oct 27, 2009 5:02 pm
Location: SE Michigan
Contact:

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#8 Post by Vic Skirmants »

If welding fails, let me know. I'm pretty sure I have one.

Tim Berardelli
356 Fan
Posts: 665
Joined: Wed Apr 30, 2008 7:02 am
Location: Washington DC Area

Re: 1960 356B broken gear shifter

#9 Post by Tim Berardelli »

I you weld you will most likely need to cut a coil or two from the spring under the ball in order to engage reverse. Added material will not allow shift rod to go down far enough due to "coil bind" in spring. Don't ask me how I know!

Post Reply