Hi Everyone,

I recently purchased a 1968 Firebird 350, and was trying to adjust my shift plate (it wiggles) and shift knob (walnut PMD). I checked underneath the plate and there are 2 clips. The one on the top of the plate fits nicely into it's hole, but the bottom one won't even reach it's hole.

As for the shifter knob, it comes right off with a little tug. I didn't see a hex screw to tighten it or anything.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Jay

It sounds as if you may have a '69 shifter in your '68. Can you post a photo?

Hi yellowbird,

Thanks for the reply. Here are some pics I took with my Iphone. Hope I'm doing this right



http://lh4.ggpht.com/_-rr-Ry7K19E/S2nEhyufIrI/AAAAAAAAAGA/srpwved3lCg/s128/016.JPG

Make sure your console is all the way down. My plate wouldn't fit right due to the carpet. I trimmed the carpet and it fit.

I have the same problem. Mine is all 69'. I noticed some shifter plates have bolts that hold it on (two going through from the face). Ours appear to just have the blind clips on the back (note: I don't have carpet installed at this time). Not sure why they made two styles in the same year but anyways I think my clips are broken. Do they sell new ones ? And the shifter ball, also not sure how that thing stays on the shaft.

The blind clips are correct, and are very frequently broken off and replaced with screws through the face.

That is a '69 shifter and as such should have a spring metal clip with barbs to hold the center button into the shifter handle.

If you've got a plate with good two good barbs...be thankful. Many of us have plates where the barbs were already broken off or holes already drilled through. Although once you have it bolted down to the base, you never have to worry about it popping up while shifting or driving.

Does anyone make/sell those clips ?

Or has anyone come up with a good fix (other than drilling holes in the faceplate ?

thanks

I took my console off yest. and noticed that the steel plate that sits under the shifter plate is not level. The front part of the plate sits higher than the console, thus allowing the clip to enter. the back part of the plate sits almost level to the console, so the clip won't even touch the hole. I fit 2 washers between the steel plate and the shifter mount(?), this gave me the height needed to let the clip go in.

What do I need to keep the shifter knob in place?

NM, just saw yellowbirds reply

Thanks all

Thanks for all the replies!!

I will be replacing the carpet in my 69 real soon. So am I correct in thinking the auto shifter button simply pulls off and then I need to release some sort of clip in order to get the wood grain handle off? Thanks

there is a new repo 68 shift plate available now.it looks pretty good.

Yes, that button pops off, just needs a little pry to get it started. Underneath is a snap ring and a notched washer, take those out and the walnut knob comes off.

Thanks for your help Colorado