Hi All,
I'm almost finished with the restoration of a friend's '67 Coronet RT. Last year I ordered a shifter plate and console door from Classic Industries. Several weeks ago during installation, I found the plate ahead of the shifter is curved slightly upward to the front. When installed, it causes starting the engine in reverse and drive, but not neutral. When I place the original shifter plate, you can only start the engine in park and neutral.
I finally got a response from Classic today, they don't have any in stock and that the curve is common with the repros. They suggested that I massage the shifter plate to work or return it. I know you can't massage the pot metal and perhaps shave the plastic console body to make the plate fit.
Has anyone had the same problem in the last several years, and if so, how did you make it work.
As far as the "curve" in the plate, that is a result of the potmetal relieving itself after the casting process and or nickel sulfate/chroming process, it's inherent in some pcs to do that, the piece is a "fresh" casting/plating wise, put some soft pine boards at the face of each end, flip it with the face down on the boards, (assuming the curve is concave on the face side) gently apply your weight standing on the center, checking it often for the straightness you desire....it'll work and won't crack the plating, been there, done this, and still have the T shirt
