Modified BE Shifter Cupola for Datsun 5 Speed

[twas_brillig]

We have one BE running with the Datsun 5speed, and are assembling another one, and I'm not satisfied with the interference between the shift lever and the 'cupola'? tin-can? it comes up through.
Jeff - the chap who is doing most of the work on the BE assembly - has a background in canoeing/kayaking, and has made up two protoype replacements out of fibreglas that follow the original shape and screw to the body in the original location but are lower, so that the lever movement doesn't hit the edges of the hole. He's still optimizing, but the intention is to have a stock looking cupola that will accept the standard rubber gaiter.
Rivergate shortened and welded up the shift lever for the running BE, and that is what we are attempting to match.
I contacted FrogEye motors in the UK a bit ago, to see if I could purchase a metal 'cupola' and experiment with cutting it down - they had used ones available for (if memory serves) $ 50 US.
If Jeff is successful with mine, would there be enough interest out there for a fibreglas replacement that would be lower, and allow the use of the standard gaiter without interference such that it would be worthwhile for him to make a proper mould?

 

[Rut]

I think this sounds like a great idea, but I have 2 'top hats' and I'm cutting one down for the same reason. I'm trying to get it to look stock, but I don't know how much to take out...I'm guessing an inch? My plan is to cut at the bottom flange, remove an inch from the top piece and weld or screw them back together.
Rut

 

[twas_brillig]

I just acquired a spare 'hat'; originally, I didn't want to chop up an original part (yeah - another hangup) so contacted the UK folks to see what another would cost. But I think we'll carry on with the fibreglas. I'd also though about putting an aluminum 'spacer' around the existing hole so as to allow the 'hat' to slide forward and back/sidewise so as to optimize centring the shifter, but that would have raised the 'hat' another 3/16" or so, and compounded the issue.
Kindly start a thread summarizing your approach when done, as I wasn't quite sure about the various tapers and welding/fitting on the 'hat'. Have fun!

 

[Jim_Gruber]

I'd be interested. My 1275 and 5 speed are a winter project.

 

[Trevor Jessie]

The other part of this equation is the angle that the shifter sits (assuming it is welded hybrid between the Datsun unit and the stock shifter)

 

[Gerard]

That is indeed the case. There very little margin for error, and pretty much one optimum angle to avoid hitting at one end or the other with the stock metal cover. I made a jig for doing these just such a reason.

The other part of this equation is the angle that the shifter sits (assuming it is welded hybrid between the Datsun unit and the stock shifter)

 

[64rocksprite]

We have one BE running with the Datsun 5speed, and are assembling another one, and I'm not satisfied with the interference between the shift lever and the 'cupola'? tin-can? it comes up through.
Jeff - the chap who is doing most of the work on the BE assembly - has a background in canoeing/kayaking, and has made up two protoype replacements out of fibreglas that follow the original shape and screw to the body in the original location but are lower, so that the lever movement doesn't hit the edges of the hole. He's still optimizing, but the intention is to have a stock looking cupola that will accept the standard rubber gaiter.
Rivergate shortened and welded up the shift lever for the running BE, and that is what we are attempting to match.
I contacted FrogEye motors in the UK a bit ago, to see if I could purchase a metal 'cupola' and experiment with cutting it down - they had used ones available for (if memory serves) $ 50 US.
If Jeff is successful with mine, would there be enough interest out there for a fibreglas replacement that would be lower, and allow the use of the standard gaiter without interference such that it would be worthwhile for him to make a proper mould?

Interested..I've got the 5 spd installed already and looking for options. I tried cutting a can once, didn't go well. I was going to just go with a soft gaiter (like later cars)..but this sounds like a nice fix.

 

[The_architect]

After puzzling over how to make the shifter can work for awhile, I decided to abandon the idea--I like it and all but the alternatives--like putting a rubber gaiter in the hole, or glueing a vinyl gaiter on that opening seemed contrived.

I went with a flat sheet of aluminum with a brushed finish over the opening instead. This is a piece of 1/8" plate that is shaped using a belt sander and the shifter can base as a pattern. The rubber gaiter fits some kind of early Datsun truck. This sits back about maybe 3/8" further than the stock position of the can, so I used a piece of thin plywood to get the position right.

I got the plate from E-bay and it is extremely hard and difficult to cut--all things being equal if I had to do it again I would go for 1/16" The piece looks completely flat but it isn't, The because the rear of the tunnel has been bent up so the drive shaft would clear the cover has been bent in a gentle curve as well. It doesn't show in the photo but its there.

It looks better with the carpet.