Started out with I think I will change the oil and filter in my auto transmission.

I installed the 200-4R back in 2003 and it has worked great.

Part 1: This spring I noticed the pan gasket leaking a little so I thought it would be a good idea to replace the gasket and filter. First part of while I'm at it was to change the steel stamped pan to the aluminum cast deep pan.

While I was doing that, I noticed my shifter cable looking old and the bellows was all but gone.

Part 2: Might as well replace the cable.

Part 3: While I was taking the brake console and shifter console out to get to the shifter, I decided to replace the parking brake handle. The old handle lost its chrome and the plastic just looked old.

Part 4: Once I removed the shifter console, I thought I might as well change to soft console being the original one was broken and repair many times in the past. The new console arrived in a few days.

Back to Part 2: Once the transmission pan was in place, I could see the cable bracket would no longer bolt on through the two bolts that held it in place with the steel pan. The cast aluminum pan was thicker and had clearance only for the bolts. It was necessary to grind the pan and the bracket to make the bracket fit. Once that was finished, I installed the replacement cable only to find that the cable was about 1/4" or so longer than the original cable. This made the adjustment for the shifter position way out of place. I took the bracket off where it mounts to the trans pan and slotted the bolt holes until I got it to work. By this time, I was not happy with the condition of the bracket so ordered a new one from Shift Works.

Part 5: the new improved bracket had to be fitted to match the old bracket but with relocating it to work with the new cable. This took some cutting, welding, and a little machining.

Back to part 4: Installing the new soft console. Instructions said to fit the shifter trim bezel before installation by using a heat gun to warm up the vinyl and fitting the trim plate in place. Not too bad of a job. Then the fun started Trying to install the console i found out that you needed to do the same thing to the gauge/radio bezel. This was a lot more difficult because I had to do this with the bezel still mounted in the car. I thought about all the work it would be to take it out and decided that was not going to happen. It took me quite a bit of time, but I got everything to fit. 

Finally, all back together and on the road again.

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Me thinks you and Bill Hanna have a lot in common...!!!  🤣

Many of my projects have gone sideways like that as well.

Jim Olson 

"The Toys"...!!!  Save the Wave!

Where I've been in a Corvette...!!!

The fun never ends, eh Brian? 😏

Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

Hard to say which is more fun, the fixing or the driving. One thing for sure is if you own a Vette you will have plenty of both

Brian - NCM Lifetime Member

73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System

Driving? What’s that? 🙂