The original steel and nuts that held my 65's automatic floor shifter cover to the floor was fubared and I cut it off. (All the bolts broke off in the nuts and becuase there were only 4 spot welds in the piece I wasnt able to drill through the bolt to use an easy out.) I have swapped to a T5 and purchased a new generic shifter boot.

What should I do to secure the screws/bolts of my new shifter boot. Should I just weld up all the holes and use the screws that came with it? Should I weld some nuts to the floor so I can secure it that way?

Any ideas?

Opinions?

Lessons Learned?

Thanks,

Parker

 

I've been there more than once. I usually just drill and clear the welded-in 1/4-20 nuts, but if these are gone just tack weld in new ones. The stock boot works perfectly with the T5, especially if you have a console, or if you use the 64 boot bezel.

 

I've done two T5 conversions now and I had to cut the floor on both as in the picture. This made it impossible to use the stock boot because it was too offset and would not allow the shifter full range of motion. It sounds like you will be using a generic boot. I would just center the boot where it needs to go and drill the holes and install the screws. Don't drill through the carpet though it will pull a row out of your carpet.

 

Awesome.

I think I will just fill in the old holes with weld and then drill new holes for screws or possibly weld in some new nuts.

 

Strange, I've seen more than a few of these where the hole needed no trim.

 

I'm not sure what it depends on. I have heard of people doing the T5 and it comes up right in the middle and then others had to trim. One of my conversions was a 66 and one was 67 and they both had to be trimmed. I though I could use the stock boot in the stock location but I just could not get it to work.

 

Yeah, I had to trim as well. A little more than 67t5ponycoupe. Not sure what I'm going to do about a boot.

Question: was there an upper and a lower boot? If so, maybe I'll use a generic/universal for the lower and the factory for the console. At least I hope I can get the console to line up properly .....

 

Yes, all 66-73 stock manual shifters had a lower as well as upper shift boot. Intended to keep water and dirt out of the shifter, and grease in. Also kept heat and noise out of the car. Won't work with the T5, of course, but there is a boot on the top of the T5 shifter, and it should be in good condition, or be replaced.

Works well, I'd even put one on a 64-65.

As for the T5 cars, go ahead and use the stock boot. Shouldn't take much to assure a seal on the floor. I'd recommend the 64 shift boot though, MUCH nicer than the cheaper 65-up style.

 

I prefer that shifter boot plate as well. Its what I am using now. I had the floating type before and it sucks. It kept cutting shifter boots.