center console problems on a '71

[87mj]

I have a low miles '71 that was well taken care of.  However, the center console was broken where the top of the shift boot is connected (between the leather boot and the fuse access panel). 

 

It didn't make sense to me that it was broken there.  I found a replacement console of the same era.  After I got it installed, I found that the shift lever lines up too close to that section of the console.  If I installed the new console, eventually, that section will break again.  After close inspection I found that my "new" console was cracked in that area,

 

I bought a very used one recently and a slightly used one too.  The very used one is badly broken where the leather boot.  It looked as if the gear shift was hitting it over several years.

 

The stick looks stock to me.  Based on what I am seeing, this looks like a common problem?  Is there a trick to mounting a console to make it fit?

 

Thanks

[nix240z]

Sounds like you have a type B transmission installed in the car.

Is you gear shift straight or does it have a slight curve?

 

http://www.zhome.com/ZCMnL/tech/AandBtranny.htm

 

Steve

Edited December 26, 2015 by nix240z

[87mj]

It is definitely the S curved stick.  My car is a 5/71 car with less than 60k miles.  The article suggests that I don't have the factory transmission.  Agree?

 

Is the solution to simply drill new holes in the console?  That solution sounds so rigged.  Like I use duct tape excessively or something. 

 

Thanks

Edited December 26, 2015 by 87mj

[Mark Maras]

 It looks like you've got the later trans. to me. It is a four speed, correct? Drilling new holes? It all depends on what you can live with.

[nix240z]

no simple solution other than cutting a notch out of the console.

or cut and bend type b shift lever

 

shift level on the right is one that I cut, bent and rechromed to the correct shape for type B transmission.

This is for a 70 or 71 car, which now clears the center console using type B transmission. 

 

steve

[psdenno]

When I converted my '71 to a five speed transmission, I experienced the same interference with the console. However, I didn't need to trim too much to avoid shift lever contact - not nearly as much as in the pictur e in the previous post. With the shifter boot installed, the cut out is not noticeable.

Dennis

[lonetreesteve]

shift level on the right is one that I cut, bent and rechromed to the correct shape for type B transmission.

This is for a 70 or 71 car, which now clears the center console using type B transmission. 

shifter bent.jpg

 

I had the same problem when the original Type A transmission in my last '71 240Z went bad. I had a shop replace it with a low mileage Type B transmission from a '72 that I had on a shelf in my garage.

 

Below in the first picture is a Type A shifter, next to a standard Type B shifter.  The second picture is a Type B shifter that I had modified by my body & paint guy and the third picture shows the modified shifter in the car after I installed it. 

 

The modified shifter worked great -very smooth!

[87mj]

Thanks everyone for the assistance.  I guess I will try trimming.  Is there a VIN on the transmission?  I cant imagine it is not the factory transmission but it must not be.  The underneath (frame, springs, etc) look like it has 10k miles on it.

 

It is a 4 speed.