HELP! STOCK T5 SHIFTER? FLUID RESEVOIR AND SHORT THROW?

[biglg]

Hi,
I was told by a mustang addict mechanic that I could use some metal washers to replace some rubber spacers somewhere on the stock shift to create a shorter throw on my stock shifter? Is this true? Where exactly are these rubber spacers or washers?

Secondly,
I too the stock shfter out and in the resevoir there wasnt but a tiny bit of fluid at the bottom. The car was cold, and hadnt been driver for a few days. How much fluid should be in the resevoir where the bottom of the stock shifter rests? Should there be more fluid in there than just a little in the bottom? If so, I dont know what kind of fluid is currently in there. WHat kind do you recommend I add? Can I just pour it in the top of the resevoir underneath the shifter? If these questions are crazy, I am sorry. I am a rookie and trying to learn. Please let me know asap. Thanks, Landon.

 

[5.0Droptop]

Never heard of the stock shifter mod he spoke of.

There isnt much fluid in the top if the tranny where the shifter is, just what splashes up there. You check the fluid level on the passinger side. There are 2 plugs. the fluid should be at the top plug when full. It uses GM automatic tranny fluid.

 

[bill302]

don't know anything about using some metal washers to replace some rubber spacers somewhere on the stock shift to create a shorter throw on my stock shifter but fluid level at the bottom of reservoir is correct but you have the shifter off i would recommend draining fluid through the drain plug in the lower part of the housing under the vehicle replace plug and add 5.6 pints of mercon transmission fluid into the top of the reservoir. i used valvoline it won't hurt to use 6 pints and you can check level by removing inspection plug on drivers side of tranny fluid should flow out of plug hole when full.

 

[bsedwebt70-5.0]

You take your shift boot off and look down the stick to the two bolts that hold it on to the actual shifter - there is a rubber isolator there - this is removed and you can bolt the shifter back on with metal to metal contact - will not shorten shifts but will make it "feel" better. About the fluid - regular ATF Dextron 2 should be checked at the top most plug on the passenger side of the transmission under the car near the exhaust - use a 3/8 ratchet with no socket on it to get it off - you will probably need a pipe to lengthen the handle to get enough force to get if off - stick you little finger in there and the fluid should just be at the edge of the hole.

 

[Mustang5L5]

If you buy an aftermarket short throw handle and bolt it onto your stock base, it will shorted your thow and change the feel

But aftermarket shifter would be the way to go.

Also, the resevior where the shift goes is splash lubed, so there will be very little fluid in there if any at all

 

[ram360]

It's the rubber that dampes the vibrations on the stock shifter handle. If you remove it and use some washers or whatever for spacers it gets rid of the mushy feel of the stock shifter. I've done it before and it works alright.

 

[ram360]

Regular ATF is all you need to add

 

[biglg]

besedwebt,

So the two bolts that hold the top half of the handle on is what he was talking about? Inside the holes on the top half of the handle, or the bottom half that remains in the car when you take the bolts out? Where is this rubber spacer thing? Bottom of top? Inside the bolt holes? I looked I thought it looked more plastic? How can I get that out to put in metal? I would like to see how it feels. Thanks, Landon.

 

[bsedwebt70-5.0]

Yours may have been modified already - it is obvious where the black rubber isolator is - the two bolts at the bottom of the top portion of the shifter where it is bolted to the actual shift mechanism once you take the boot off and can easily be accessed from inside the car sitting in the driver seat that are spaced about 1 inch apart have a plastic sleeve you are speaking of and a rubber piece about 1 inch in size. Take out the two bolts and the whole handle comes off in your hand - remove the rubber piece and use washers, metal bushings, or what have you and put it back together tighening the two bolts up good and snug - marginally better than stock feel - worth the time if you are bored.