rubber shifter boot won't stay

[69sprite]

I have an issue on my '69 MKIV. I did a Rivergate conversion a year or so back and since then, the rubber shifter boot keeps popping up and won't stay in place.

Anyone have this issue or any ideas on solving this? I had the Perry's do the gear shifter modification as part of my package, so I assume that this was done right. With that mod, the sifter works,but still wants to 'bump' against the shifter hat when in 2th gear a little. Do I need to grind/cut a little out of the boot area of the shifter hat?

I really, REALLY love the improvement that the 5th gear adds to the driveability of the car.

Thanks.

Larry

 

[spritenut]

Get an MGB shifter boot.
The throw on the Datsun tranny is longer than the original Sprite tranny and this makes the shifter boot pop out.
The MGB boot is accordion style, it looks almost original and it works.
I have 3 Sprites with 5 speeds, all have the MGB boot in the stock metal shifter housing.

 

[twas_brillig]

Larry (and anyone else!): finally got the Rivergate conversion installed in our BE but I haven't modified the shifter yet. Thought about Gerard's ring/gaiter, but decided I'd like to keep the stock 'tin can' appearance.
Two questions: (1) my memory is that you need to use a bit of a spacer between the cut-down Datsun shifter and the grafted on Sprite shifter - how much of a spacer? and does it go straight fore and aft, or is the Sprite shifter mounted at the 2 o'clock or some similar positon?
(2) any reason not to just chop the Datsun shifter off and weld it on? Run an imperial tap down the metric threads (ugly approach, yes) and then use a bit of loctite to hold the stock Sprite shift knob in place?
I was tickled to notice that the original Sprite shift pattern is correct with the Datsun - 1st and reverse are in the right spot; just got an invisible 5th.
Thanks,
Doug

 

[smaceng]

I just finished up a 5-speed conversion from BillM, and the stock shifter bucket would not work, as the shifter would not engage in the 1-3-5 gears. So I did what any resourceful guy would do, go at it with the grinder! I used the MGB gaitor, as shown below.
Scott in CA

 

[smaceng]

Here it is installed.

 

[twas_brillig]

Is that the stock Datsun lever, but shortened?
Doug

 

[Billm]

Yes-
Shortened and welded to the side per the Morrisservice standard.
BillM

 

[Nelson]

I have the modified Morrisservice shifter on my five speed. The original boot would not stay in place when I shifted. Per a suggestion a while back from Frank C. I bought the boot for the MGB. It doesn't sit firmly into the original opening and it moved around freely. My solution was simply to pull it up on the shifter to about an inch from the knob. Then it was secured in place at that point with a small cable tie. It is essentially an invisible fastening. I have been driving with it for a month or so and it is still firmly in place as it cannot slide down the shifter. I'm very satisfied with the result. YMMV

 

[Pythias]

This has come up before. This time I took a pic. (hope it goes)..I cut 1" out of the height of the can, filled in hole completely, then re-cut it as far forward as I could. I tried a Big Healey shift boot but it kept popping out too, so I went to this from some British car.