68 4sp Shifter boot question (round vs square??)

[KevinK7]

I was looking for a shifter boot for my 68 (C20, 4sp 396 2WD floor shift)
The only one I could find (second photo) seems a bit rounder than the factory one in my truck which seems more square-ish (first photo).

Is there another boot being reproduced that has a more square shape?

I looked again, and I see boots listed for "4sp 2WD small block" or "4sp 4x4", etc, but even then the pics I've seen all have a rounder look. It may just be a subtle detail I can (will) ignore, but figured I'd check.

Thanks,
Kevin

[Mike C]

There was another thread about this 6 months ago or so. Hopefully one of the other participants chimes in or you may find it through search. Some of the conversation was with wide ratio M20 or close ratio which was the NP435 trans. What trans is in your truck? Shot of SPID please.

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by Mike C

There was another thread about this 6 months ago or so. Hopefully one of the other participants chimes in or you may find it through search. Some of the conversation was with wide ratio M20 or close ratio which was the NP435 trans. What trans is in your truck? Shot of SPID please.

Here's the SPID:

[Astro-Balls]

You wont be able to find the original square boot, I went with a boot from a Kenworth truck, fit really well, rubber is twice as thick as an original boot.


Here is the thread..

https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...d.php?t=796138

[KevinK7]

Thanks for the info and thread link, I guess that answers it.
My truck was apparently ordered with the close ratio New Process 435 (NP435) trans.

Apparently these are not that common?

Thanks again,

Kevin


I'm copying the following from the earlier thread: (https://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/...=796138&page=2)

NP435 Four-Speed (Truck)
Type First Gear Second Gear Third Gear Fourth Gear
All 4.78 2.39 1.37 1.00

[Astro-Balls]

My CST truck came with the NP435 from the factory, The previous owner had a farm and probably wanted to use a PTO.
Here is a pic of the Kenworth boot on my truck, I went with a rubber mat floor, originally it came with carpet..

[KevinK7]

...mine originally came with the rubber mat, and I just ordered carpet lol
I need to (will) take some pics, ...I've got the whole interior and dash gutted, just cleaning things up and I'm gonna drive this thing

[KevinK7]

Mitch,
Do you happen to have the uhmmm KENWORTH part# for that shifter boot?
I'm about to install carpet and figured I might as well replace the boot while I'm at it...

[Astro-Balls]

Dorman 924-5405 Shift Boot

https://autoplicity.com/3605723-dorm...SABEgKfSfD_BwE


https://www.amazon.com/Dorman-924-54.../dp/B007PZC4A2

Warm it up with a heat gun when you go to install it, the rubber is really thick compared to a Chevy Boot.
You will have to mark, and hole punch new holes for the trim ring.

[KevinK7]

Thanks so much

Trial fit, ...so far so good

[Astro-Balls]

Kevin, Can you do me a favor and take a pic of that spring on your clutch pedal and where it attaches at the top? Mine is missing and I'm trying to figure out the correct spring for it.
Thanks.

[palallin]

Originally Posted by Astro-Balls

Kevin, Can you do me a favor and take a pic of that spring on your clutch pedal and where it attaches at the top? Mine is missing and I'm trying to figure out the correct spring for it.
Thanks.

Not to hijack the thread, but let me warn Astro-Balls (and anyone else) about that spring. I paste here part of a post I made years ago:

One day, "I was working on removing the clutch pedal-I had pulled the through-the-firewall rod and was trying to pull the clamped lever off the end of the clutch pedal shaft, when I pushed on the pedal, and the spring took over. The lever caught my right ring finger against the mounting bracket and acted just like a shear: I lost most of the end of the finger.

"When I pulled it out from under the dash, I had to place the end of the finger back in place; I also had to pluck off the nail, as it was in the way. The guy I was working with got me a clean, paper, blue shop towel, and I wrapped the pieces (except for the nail and part of the nail bed) tightly in the towel, and he drove me 15 miles to the ER, where I spent most of the night being reassembled.

"Not only was the finger "degloved," the bone was snipped right in two. According to the bone doc (who looked things over this AM), if I avoid getting an infection for the next week, I will probably get to keep the finger. In any case, the nail's future is uncertain, though the best chance is that it will grow in wrongly and will have to be removed."

That spring is no-$&!# serious. Be careful with it.

[This Public Service Announcement brought to you by Pain & Agony, Real World Educators for D-I-Y types.]

[KevinK7]

Originally Posted by Astro-Balls

Kevin, Can you do me a favor and take a pic of that spring on your clutch pedal and where it attaches at the top? Mine is missing and I'm trying to figure out the correct spring for it.
Thanks.

Mitch,
Here's a couple pics, ...and be careful (Yikes palallin's post ... that spring does look pretty heavy duty)

[Astro-Balls]

Kevin thanks very much, Now to find the correct spring.. Anyone know of one for sale on the board?
I have a story to tell about springs.. Maybe later..