Early M46 Short Throw Shifter

jfry · 06-30-2018, 12:52 AM

Anyone ever install a short throw shifter on an early m46. By early I mean with the slide type of od button. I'm thinking a SAM or Craving Boost style shifter with new bushings. Had discussed it with The Aspirator when he was doing CB and he believed the bushings it the cage was different between early and later shifters. Anyone know for sure? Maybe I can swap cages?

hiperfauto · 06-30-2018, 01:42 AM

Not only are the shifter balls and bushings different sizes, the cages mount differently as well. I think you're SOL if you want an aftermarket shifter although Homer should be able to modify a stock one for you.

Jack · 07-06-2018, 02:46 AM

You should check what you have first

John242Ti · 07-06-2018, 02:57 AM

How early is early? 1976-78, or 1979-80? 1979-80 uses the more common rear mount shift linkage cage bracket, but has the early knob and switch. If the former, then, yes, you'll need to see if Jacob can modify one for you. If the latter, then you're ok.

-J

jfry · 07-06-2018, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John242Ti

How early is early? 1976-78, or 1979-80? 1979-80 uses the more common rear mount shift linkage cage bracket, but has the early knob and switch. If the former, then, yes, you'll need to see if Jacob can modify one for you. If the latter, then you're ok.

-J

Finally, Some good news. Its 79-80. I have an m46 out of a 740 so I was going to throw that in when its clutch time which is coming up soon. Maybe I'll just stick with the earlier m46.

John242Ti · 07-06-2018, 12:44 PM

The older box is better. Doesn't have the Diesel 1st gear ratio. I actually have an '80 box with a rebuilt overdrive that will be going into my 245 sometime this year. Yeah, I'll lose the 22mm hex drain and fill plugs, but I'll have the 3.71:1 1st gear ratio.

Harry Tuttle · 07-06-2018, 11:08 PM

So, if you have an early-early box, is it possible to swap the input shaft with a later one so you have many splines? Any other internal differences that matter?

John242Ti · 07-07-2018, 12:37 AM

Why would you want to do that? Just get a 1979-82 non-turbo box and call it good. The 1976-78 box is weaker. Has three shift forks inside instead of just one. Only thing worth grabbing from one would be the 1st gear, if low mileage or NOS.

Harry Tuttle · 07-07-2018, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by John242Ti

Why would you want to do that?

Because I have it? You can't always go out and buy a 35+ year old tranny when you want to. You answered my second question well, though. It was just a hypothetical/curiosity thing.

John242Ti · 07-08-2018, 03:40 AM

^There is that.

I guess those of us in the PacNW are fairly lucky. Right now, in my garage, I have an '80 M46 waiting to go into my 245Ti, and there's an '81 242DL that just got put into one of the local yards with the same style M46 in it.

-J

06-30-2018, 12:52 AM	#1
jfry Board Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Wheelin in my Valp	Early M46 Short Throw Shifter Anyone ever install a short throw shifter on an early m46. By early I mean with the slide type of od button. I'm thinking a SAM or Craving Boost style shifter with new bushings. Had discussed it with The Aspirator when he was doing CB and he believed the bushings it the cage was different between early and later shifters. Anyone know for sure? Maybe I can swap cages?

06-30-2018, 01:42 AM	#2
hiperfauto Board Member Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: So Cal	Not only are the shifter balls and bushings different sizes, the cages mount differently as well. I think you're SOL if you want an aftermarket shifter although Homer should be able to modify a stock one for you. __________________ 240 Alcantara Shift Boot Cover (164 & 72- 140 too) Rare, Race & R-Sports Parts Colored B/S Brake Hoses 140/160 and more Volvo Advertising Stuff -

07-06-2018, 02:57 AM	#4
John242Ti trouserman Join Date: May 2003 Location: Duvall, WA	How early is early? 1976-78, or 1979-80? 1979-80 uses the more common rear mount shift linkage cage bracket, but has the early knob and switch. If the former, then, yes, you'll need to see if Jacob can modify one for you. If the latter, then you're ok. -J __________________ 1982 242Ti - black, M46. 1985 245Ti - blue, M46. 1989 745Ti - red, Aw71. Formerly Blue245Ti, 245GT-Turbo, and, originally 242GT-Ti.

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07-06-2018, 12:44 PM	#6
John242Ti trouserman Join Date: May 2003 Location: Duvall, WA	The older box is better. Doesn't have the Diesel 1st gear ratio. I actually have an '80 box with a rebuilt overdrive that will be going into my 245 sometime this year. Yeah, I'll lose the 22mm hex drain and fill plugs, but I'll have the 3.71:1 1st gear ratio.

07-07-2018, 12:37 AM	#8
John242Ti trouserman Join Date: May 2003 Location: Duvall, WA	Why would you want to do that? Just get a 1979-82 non-turbo box and call it good. The 1976-78 box is weaker. Has three shift forks inside instead of just one. Only thing worth grabbing from one would be the 1st gear, if low mileage or NOS.

07-08-2018, 03:40 AM	#10
John242Ti trouserman Join Date: May 2003 Location: Duvall, WA	^There is that. I guess those of us in the PacNW are fairly lucky. Right now, in my garage, I have an '80 M46 waiting to go into my 245Ti, and there's an '81 242DL that just got put into one of the local yards with the same style M46 in it. -J