How do I reattach my shifer?

[Number21]

I just bought a '79 C30 with a SM465, my first manual transmission. I've been teaching myself to drive it...imagine my surprise when the shifter just came right out in my hand in the middle of the road.

So I took the boot off and it looks like there's a little collar on top of the ball at the bottom of the shifter that should keep it in, right? How do I get that collar to seat back where it's supposed to be? Obviously it needs to be pushed down and turned, but I can't get it to turn...

[dammitmitchell]

channellocks
take this as a chance to pull the shifter (place it in neutral first)
then pull the collar spring and shifter rod completely out...
http://www.pirate4x4.com/tech/billav...465/index.html

check the pivot area for a crack in the spot welds.. use this chance to run a few strong tack welds or an entire bead around the base it will dramatically improve the "slop" in the shifter

[Keith Seymore]

Yep - just to elaborate a little further, you take the channel locks and grab that collar near the top. Push down while rotating clockwise (I believe) and it should grab and go in. Just like replacing a taillight bulb (...only bigger...).

K