welcome to the club.

See my thread on the subject

I'm remote so I can't elaborate
Mk

 

I would give Mark a call , I am pretty sure he has some.

 

I searched but the search engine gave nothing.

 

I'll see if I can find a link
Under shifter linkage??

 

Or if you could get someone to take a length measurement from that front bar you could shorten the front to the correct length.

 

Don't forget the distance between the "shift lever pins" on the front and rear linkages are also different from the early to the late style. This also changes the geometry and is specific for early and late trannies.

Late style shift lever on left, early style on right. Note "pin" spacing.

 

I know about the pin spacing between them, and if you simply shorten the rod to the correct length and use the early lever then you would have a really short throw for your tranny.

 

explain how that works? I dont think the length does anything. its the lever pin spacing that determines the throw, as well as the levers in the gear box. thats why the newer transmissions with the older levers make for a real short throw system. (more than just the lever itself, based on the 84 lever spacing being longer than the s4 spacing)

mk

 

I only did this because i didnt want to drop the torque tube or exhaust. Thankfully, Bailey advised on cutting through the foam insulation and removing those 2 10mm nuts from above. it worked like a champ and was able to remove the shift rod and replace it with everything on the car. very tough to get it up in position, but eventually, it was up in the position. the rest was just normal mounting with the hose clamps used as a press for the ball cup, and a little hatch cut out to reach the 2 10mm nuts easily from above. (near ash tray area)

1st shot is how I got home. next pictures is the bolt I welded in the shaft to bolt it to the broken part. it would have worked, but wasnt counting on the extreme axial loads that weakened the small bolt. I turns out its just easier to replace the darn thing with the real deal.
mk

 

so, i have the straight rod on mine but it was fabricated from a automatic, so who knows what is right for the year. I think i remember my 84 having a straight shaft there too. when did they change from the bent rod near the gear shift end?

If you need the bent rod end, I have one as that wouldnt work for my set up.

however, when i transfered the 85 transmission to my 84, there was no mods needed to the front shaft at all. althought i think i do remember using a later torque tube when i changed the transmission. its all a blur.

mk

 

If you cant find a bent one, i have one. Ill trade you for a straight one so i can have a spare that will work.

mk

 

My bent rod is now fixed and appears to be standard for an OB.

My puzzle about the hard throws and blowing out the forks, is that not driver error or hand resting on the shifter?

 

mine broke the shift cup as I was constantly pressing my gear shift **** on the shaft. it weakened the ball cup attachement. the shaft broke due to the same forces, plus the ball cup not adjusted properly and addign torsional forces in the 5th 4th range.

I dont see how the shift fork can be damaged, unless you really are pounding the gears and going past the point of engagement.

mk

 

Just got it back and works great, my mechanic was kind and only charged me two (2) hours labor to RR and weld it