>DICK RUZZIN / MANGUSTA SHIFT LINKAGE, JUNE 24, 2011
>A/ 30,000 MILES, SHIFT LINKAGE SERVICE
>B/ RESTORATION
>C/ ADJUSTMENT
The shift linkage has small universal joints that according to Steve liebenow's and my searches are no longer available. I tried for two years and finally gave up. Following is the information about the restoration / recreation and what I learned from the process. My car shifts now as it did when new. Shift linkage adjustment required one try, testifying to the real problem, wear in the system.
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>A / 30,000 MILES, SHIFT LINKAGE SERVICE
The gratest point of wear found was the bronze bushing in the shift lever. The lever is easily removed with one bolt/pin. This bolt/pin should be replaced.
Ream the existing bushing out to very tightly match the new bolt/pin diameter.
This will eliminate about half of the slop in the system, the rest will be in the u-joints.
If the u-joints display wear it will accumulate resulting in the loss of reverse or 4th and 5th gears. Restoration is required.
If the u-joints are not badly worn the rest of the shift linkage can also be brought back to new by doing the following:
1)
Remove the shift knob and gate. Remove the bolt that goes through the shift rod that connects it to the shift linkage.
2)
Disconnect rhe linkage at the shifter box on the transmission. Leave everything in place and rotate the shift linkage 180 degrees.
3)
Reconnect everything.
4)
Grease the u-joints if you can.
This puts the wear points in all the joints on the opposite side, essentially returning the linkage to new condition.
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>B / MANGUSTA SHIFT LINKAGE RESTORATION / RECREATION
>PARTS REQUIRED TO CREATE A NEW SHIFT LINKAGE SYSTEM
1)
50 INCH LONG X 3/ 4 INCHES DIA. OF CHROME-MOLY TUBING FROM FACTORY STEEL, DETROIT MI (Original rod is 7/ 8 inch diameter).
2)
5/ 8 INCH STAINLESS ROD , TURNED TO MATCH BALL JOINTS BY MACHINIST
3)
2 HIGH QUALITY BALL JOINTS, 5/ 8 X 5/ 8 HOLE,
SPEEDWAY / PART # 910-02116, MOLY
4)
2 STEERING U-JOINTS FROM SPEEDWAY , 3/ 4 X 3/ 4 WELD ON.
THEY DO COME 3/ 4 X 5/ 8 TO MATCH THE STAINLESS ROD
THESE JOINTS ARE NEEDLE BEARING AND CUPS, EASILY REBUILDABLE
PART NUMBER 910-32234, FROM SPEEDWAY.
>MARKED: SWIFT MFG. KALAMAZOO MI,<.
5)
1 -1 INCH DIAMETER PIN AND BLOCK U-JOINT FROM BORGESON UNIVERSAL COMPANY / 3/ 4 SMOOTH X 5/ 8 SMOOTH.
ITEM # 516462. THIS WELDS TO THE TUBE END AT THE SHIFT ROD.
6)
NEW STAINLESS PIN MACHINED FROM A BOLT FOR THE SHIFT LEVER. BUSHING REPLACED OR REAMED OUT TO FIT THE NEW BOLT/PIN.
7)
MY LINKAGE IS ATTACHED TO THE ZF BY A 3/ 4 INCH DIAMETER MILITARY STYLE U-JOINT THAT IS REMOVEABLE FROM THE SHIFT ROD BY A BOLT/PIN WITHOUT CHANGING THE ADJUSTMENT ON THE LINKAGE.
>C / ADJUSTING THE SHIFT LINKAGE
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As the joints wear in the system you may suddenly loose the ability to engage reverse or 4th and 5th. This means that the shift lever travel in the gate cannot deliver enough radial movement to the shaft to engage all of the gears. Adjustment becomes extremely sensitive and a very frustrating task. Restoration is required, see above.
With a good solid system installed with all joints tight the linkage adjusts very easily, as follows:
1) Check that the shift rod coming out of the shifter box that attaches to the rear turnbuckle is in neutral between second and third gear. Facing to the front of the car rotate the shaft as far to the right as possible until it clicks into place, that is fourth and fifth. Rotate the rod left one notch and find neutral between the full forward and full rearward position.
2)
Attach the turnbuckle to the shift rod but do not tighten the lock-nut. Adjust the rear turnbuckle length to position the shift lever in the middle of the the neutral slot on the shift gate. This may take several tries. Tighten the lock-nut to verify the position and then loosen it.
3)
With the lock-nut loose and the shift lever free in neutral pull the shift lever into third gear in the gate. Go to the transaxle and tighten the lock-nut.
Check the gears. You are done!
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