Shift Rod hole, will it still fit? -see picture

[ress]

I'm currently customizing my car and I've welded up about half of the shift rod hole in the front apron of a 73 beetle and wanted to know if this is big enough for the rod to pass through. I've never taken the shift rod out before? Thanks!

[img]http://www.fototime.com/{79E876A1-3777- ... icture.JPG[/img]

[sideshow]

I don't think the shift rod will pass that hole. You could always remove the body

[Bruce2]

I'm a second vote for no fit.

[Chris V]

One of the PO's of our project `69 completely shaved the inspection plate in the front apron...we ended up pulling it out the shift coupling inspection plate after removing the engine/trans.

[sideshow]

...we ended up pulling it out the shift coupling inspection plate after removing the engine/trans.

I have a friend with a ghia, and he welded up the horn hole.

So you are saying, out the tranny nose cone hole and forward over the e-brake? How does that work?
And how does that work without removing the hanger?

[Marc]

...how does that work without removing the hanger?

Out the front into the spare tire well, which is far enough to get it out of the bracket/bushing. Then tie a rope to the front of it and work it back out of the hole in the rear of the pan, then tilt the front of it up and take it out through the inspection plate hole. To reinstall, reverse the process (the rope simplifies getting it back forward along the right path without snagging on conduits inside the tunnel). It was either that or unbolt the body in order to avoid drilling a hole in a new paint job

[sideshow]

Ahhh, so to do only the bushing the rod could go forward enough to clear the bracket.
If you want the rod out entirely, then you have to do the tranny & e-brake hole or remove the body.