Olav A.

I was experiencing the problem of frequently touching reverse when I shifted from either 1st to 2nd or from 3rd to 2nd. It was very annoying especially when I was doing a quick down shift and sometimes would hit reverse hard evern though I thought I was being careful.

I read on the one of the forums that a kit that Weltmeister sells will help fix the problem so I decided to give it a shot.

Well, I got the kit that consists of a drill bit (specially designed to cut through the very hard metal that makes up the reverse lock-out plate), two springs, to shafts for the springs, and some instructions.

At first I didn't realize that I had to drill holes in my shifter assembly but I quickly got over that and following the intructions started marking off 1/2" inside from the existing spring locations on all four locations.

I then set up my drill and proceeded to drill the holes. The first hole went well only having to penetrate the stamped metal of the shifter housing, the second hole I made it through the housing and thanks to the special drill bit supplied cut through the harded metal.

I decided to spot there and install the spring and shaft into the newly created holes. This was a problem. The instructions say "press the spring on the shaft...it's going to be hard..."

It was hard.

I had to build a special spring compressor tool to get the job done. I went to the local hardware store with my spring and sourced out a bolt that would fit down the center of the spring.

I then go a nut that would fit on the end of the bolt with a washer.

I cut off the end to the bold so all that was left was a threaded shaft.

I bought a bunch of e-clamps to fit over the bolts threads.

The spring compressor works like so:

I put the bolt through the hole I just drilled, put the nut /washer on the end outside the shifter harness/plate.
I then put the spring over the bolt then pushed an e-clamp onto the bolt through the spring. The e-clamp secures the spring to the bolt.

I then started to tighten up the nut at the other end which compressed the spring. I had to make sure that the bolt didn't rotate other wise the e-clamp would screw itself off.

After some tightening the spring compressed enought to fit into the space between the two holes. Now I took a pair of plierers and removed the e-clamp (make sure the spring lines up with the holes ).

At this point I carefully slide in the shaft that came with the kit at-the-same-time as removing the bolt . This has to be done at the same time otherwise the spring will buckle and snap out causing one to start the whole process again.

So, after that I got one spring in it started to drill the other two remaining holes to put the spring in. To my suprise the drill bit that came with the kit had broken. The special cutting edge that was bonded to the rest of the drill bit had snapped off and was useless.

I didn't think this was a big deal and went to get another drill bit a carbon super duper cutter. Well it cut through the normal metal but not the hardened steel. I was pissed!!

I couldn't do anything at the time to get the rest of the kit installed so I put my car together with half the kit in and tried it out.

What a difference it makes!! I highly recommend this kit. Even with half the kit in I don't touch reverse at all and my shifts are way better. I was skeptical at first but the trouble is worth it.

BTW. I phone the kit supplier and they are sending a replacement bit so I can get the other spring in.

I just thought I would share my experience and help out anyone if the were planning to do this ver cool and cannot be with out addition to the 914 shifter.

Tools neeeded: Electric drill, plieres, stuff to disassemble the shifting parts.

Regards.
Olav

hitbyastick

Cool post thanks. Where did you get the kit? Hoe much was it. I'm interested in it now as well, as I sometime nick reverse too. <img src="graemlins/wave.gif" border="0" alt="[byebye]" />

Olav A.

I bought it off of pelican parts at:
<a href="http://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/POR_9144_pedals_pg3.hhttp://www.pelicanparts.com/catalog/shopcart/9144/POR_9144_pedals_pg3.htm#item17" target="_blank">reverse lock out</a>

It's about $40.00 and took about 2 hours or so because I had to make the spring compressor.

It makes a HUGE difference. The shift pattern is not vague any more.

You'll be AMAZED.

Olav A.

I've been calling a lot of names. It's officially called a "Shift Lockout Kit - Weltmeister".

Olav A.

I got the replacement drill bit and was able to drill the remaining hole to complete the installation.
The replacement drill bit cut the hole and then destructed.

I think the only problem with the kit is the drill bit. It breaks, unless I am doing something wrong.

The kit works great and I highly recommend it to anyone. It's like getting a brand new shifter.

I'm not affiliated with the manufacturer or the supplier I mentioned.

boxstr

I tried a tip from John Larson and installed a "shift Plate" purchased at the Porsche Dealer, $16.45.
Felt like a new shifter with all new bushings. This is what it must have been like to shift a new 914 in 1975.
Craig C. Laughlin CAMP 914

Olav A.

[quote] I tried a tip from John Larson and installed a "shift Plate" purchased at the Porsche Dealer, $16.45.
Felt like a new shifter with all new bushings. This is what it must have been like to shift a new 914 in 1975.<hr></blockquote>

I couldn't find a reference to a "shift plate". I am looking in the shop manual I see "Shift support plate" which is the whole thing including the shift lever. The "stop plate" which prevents going into reverse. Could you describe the piece that you replaced? Thanks.