<VV> 500/Monza/Corsa shifter - long

[airvair]

Consider that PARTS manuals are NOT a good reference guide when it comes
to identifying what the FACTORY installed. They deal ONLY with service
parts, some of which somebody determined would be economical substitutes
for (possibly) a low-production factory item. I've seen cases where the
originally installed item was simply NOT available over the counter,
only a "make-do" substitute part, listed in the parts book as to be used
as a "replacment" for the original. The Corsa shifter could fall into
this catagory.

Second, don't expect a part number to have any bearing as to WHAT was
different, if anything. Parts books are under no obligation to give such
details. Further, I've seen part numbers changed for all kinds of
reasons, including NONE at all! Why the various part numbers are used is
anyone's guess. All I can tell you for sure is that a different part
number USUALLY means that SOMEthing is different. USUALLY, but not
necessarily, though.

-Mark C

NicolCS at aol.com wrote:
> 
> I don't have any energy one way or the other.  It's just a little research
> into what Chevy really did back then.  I'm completely open to the concept of a
> quicker shifter for the Corsa but so-far I haven't seen anything published by
> GM to support the notion.  In fact, there's concrete GM info to the contrary.
> 
> Each of us has a little bit different information available.  Why don't you
> overlay the following onto what you have and see what comes out of it.
> 
> Here's what I have observed.
> 
> I have not seen any GM document that mentions a "quicker shifter" for the
> Corsa.  I've looked at the 65,66 Brocheres, 65 Dealer album, 65 Fingertip Facts,
> 65 Assembly manual, and 67 & 73 Parts manuals for clues.
> 
> The assembly manual does specify a different shifter for the Corsa on page
> 7-B2
> .
> The shift lever specified for the 500/Monza is pn 3872870
> The shift lever specified for the Corsa is pn 3872871
> 
> Is this the "mystery" quick shifter?
> 
> By convention, the forward section of the manual deals only with standard
> equipment, in this case that would mean a 3-speed transmission.  To confirm the
> standard-equipment (3-spd) notion, I looked at my '67 parts book and it lists
> the following applications for these levers:
> 
> 65 Corvair w/3spd (exc. Corsa)  pn 870
> 65 Corsa w/3spd pn 871
> 
> These assembly and parts manuals are consistent seem to confirm that these
> levers are for 3-speed transmissions.
> 
> Now, moving to the rear section of the assembly manual for the M20 4-speed,
> there's only one listing shift lever listing for all models, 500/Monza/Corsa pn
> 3872872. Page # M20-2
> 
> How does this jive with the parts manual?  The application listed  for pn 872
> is 65-9 Corvair with 4-speed in both the '67 and '73 parts book.
> 
> If GM had a special shifter for the 4-speed Corsa, it would be listed on page
> M20-2 since that's what the factory would use as an assembly guide for a
> 4-spd car. But there's only one 4-speed shifter noted there.
> 
> Could GM have had a special shifter for the 4-speed Corsa?  Sure.  Clarks
> catalog lists that application.  What's the special feature of this shifter, if
> it's true?  No one has stepped up with that info.  Also, what's the part
> number?
> 
> Regarding Clarks: They could very well be right but consider this: Late
> shifters are much quicker than early shifters.  The kit is listed for all years.
> If you put a quick shift kit on the late (quicker) shifter it gets very, very
> quick.  If Clarks is incorrect and you substitute the word "late" for "Corsa"
> than all the facts fit.
> 
> Maybe the parts book is wrong and the 871 lever is actually the mystery
> "quick"shifter - that would make Clarks right - except that the assembly manual's
> M20 section would also have to be wrong since it calls for the common 872 65-9
> 4-speed lever.
> 
> So with the information I have, for Clarks to be right, the GM parts manual,
> GM assembly manual would have to be wrong and GM would have had to fail to
> note the difference in the brochere, Finger-tip facts, and the Dealer albums.  So
> my conclusion is that GM never claimed any difference and all the GM
> documentation supports the notion of no special 4-speed shifter for a Corsa.
> 
> Why don't you stir this in with what you have and see if we can find a
> conclusion?  Clark Hartzel (CPF) has most of the blueprints.  Perhaps he can provide
> a definitive answer.
> 
> Craig N.
>