B&M STEALTH PRO RATCHET SHIFTER User Manual
Installation Instructions
Stealth Pro Ratchet Shifter
Part Number 81120 & 81121
(see www.bmracing.com for the latest technical product information)
©2010, 2006 by B&M Racing and Performance Products
The B&M Stealth Pro Ratchet Shifter
is a full ratchet shifter that performs great,
both on the street and on the race track. It will
work with most two speed, three speed or
four speed automatic transmissions. It has a
positive ratchet design so that you will not miss
a shift, either up or down. It works with both
standard and reverse pattern valve bodies. It
has a unique “one hand” reverse lockout
feature that meets NHRA and IHRA requirements. You don’t need to use two hands to
shift into Reverse.
Part #81058 is for use only with aluminum Powerglide transmissions. The sup-
plied B&M Powerglide Pro-Lever is for
use with full manual valve bodies or
transbrakes applications only. Part
#81057 is for use with three speed automatic transmissions such as the GM TH400, TH-350, TH-250 and TH-200; the Ford
C-4 and C-6; and the Chrysler 1966 and
later Torqueflite A-727 and A-904, or four
speed automatic transmissions such as the
GM TH-200 4R, TH-700 R4, 4L60, 4L60E, and
4L65E; the Ford AOD; and the Chrysler A-500
and A-518. To use the B&M Stealth Pro
Ratchet Shifter with the Ford AOD transmissions you will need the optional accessory kit
#40496. To install the B&M Stealth Pro
Ratchet Shifter on a 4L60E or 4L65E equipped
with a PRNDL switch you will need B&M
installation kit #75498, otherwise use supplied
GM bracket.
Your B&M Stealth Pro Ratchet Shifter
comes equipped with a neutral safety switch,
a backup light switch, transmission brackets,
levers and a five foot shift cable. Optional
shifter cables in 2 ft. (#80830),3 ft. (#80831),
4 ft. (#80832), 8 ft. (#80834), 10 ft. (#80835)
and 12 ft. (#80836) are also available.
Printed in the U.S.A.
Please read the instructions and review
the illustrations thoroughly before beginning
the installation.
The mechanical components of this shifter
are precision made and assembled at our
factory. Any modification or disassembly of
these parts can cause the shifter to malfunction and will void the warranty. You should
disassemble only those items outlined in the
instructions.
The vehicle should be about 2 feet off
the ground for ease of installation. Use jack
stands, wheel ramps or a vehicle lift. Make
sure the vehicle is firmly supported before
attempting to work on it.
IMPORTANT: If your vehicle is equipped with
a locking steering column. Securing the column
lock lever in the engine compartment in the full
up position will allow the steering wheel to be
locked and unlocked and the ignition key to be
removed.
WARNING: This allows the steering wheel to
be locked WHENEVER the ignition key is turned
to the “lock” position WHILE THE VEHICLE IS
MOVING, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME. Securing
the steering column lock lever in any other
position will both PREVENT the steering wheel
from locking and removal of the ignition key.
INSTALLATION
NOTE: If you are installing this shifter with a GM
four speed automatic transmission, you must
remove the three speed limiter blocker pin and
the e-clips indicated in Figure 1. Removing this
blocker pin gives the shifter four forward
positions rather than three. For Ford AOD four
speed automatic transmissions and Chrysler
A-500 and A-518 four speed automatic transmissions do not remove this blocker pin, since
these transmissions have only three forward
positions. Also do not remove the blocker pin
and the e-clips for any three speed automatic transmissions. (The three speed limiter
blocker pin goes in the upper of the two holes
at the rear of the shifter and the two speed
limiter blocker pin goes in the lower hole).
If you are installing this shifter with a Ford
or Chrysler three or four speed automatic
transmission you must install the Park limiter
blocker pin and the e-clips as also indicated in
Figure 1. This limiter limits the shifter travel into
the Park position, so that it does not stretch the
cable since Ford and Chrysler transmissions
have less travel between Reverse and Park
than GM transmissions do.
STEP 1. Remove the stock shift linkage;
Column Shifters: Remove all rods, levers or
cables from the column and the transmission.
Place the column shift lever in the Park position.
Remove the pin holding the shift lever in the
column and remove the lever assembly. If your
vehicle is equipped with a locking steering
column, secure the column lock lever in the full
up position. WARNING: This allows the steering wheel to be locked and the ignition key
removed WHENEVER the ignition key is turned
to the “lock” position WHILE THE VEHICLE IS
MOVING, OR AT ANY OTHER TIME.
Console Shifters: Remove the shifter mechanism from the console. Disconnect the rod or
the cable from the transmission. Remove the
cable bracket if equipped. If there is a cable or
linkage from the console shifter or transmission to the steering column lock, it must be
blocked in the Park position as described
above.
NOTE: Installation of the shifter may require
console modification or complete console removal depending on the space available in
9500831-03
Short
#6-32
screws
Long
#6-32 screws
Reverse lockout
E-clips
Cable
bolt tab to
OUTSIDE
surface of
shifter base
Figure 1
your vehicle.
STEP 2. Pull the carpet, if any, away from the
floorboard where the shifter is to be mounted.
If the vehicle has a bench type seat, move the
seat to the full forward position. Place the
shifter on the floor with the stick shifted to the
rearmost position. Locate the shifter for ease
and convenience of operation. (The rear
mounting hole of the mechanism must be at
least 1¾” from the front of the seat when the
seat is in the full forward position). Make sure
the shifter stick clears the dash with the shifter
in the forward position. Mark the position of
four mounting holes on the floor.
STEP 3. Drill four 9/32" mounting holes
where marked. Temporarily mount the shifter
in place using washers as required to get it
level. Mark the location for the shifter cable
hole, 3" ahead of the front shifter mounting
hole. Drill or cut a 1½” diameter cable hole in
the floorboard. NOTE: Some floorboards are
extremely thin and will not adequately support
the shifter mechanism when bolted to the
Side-Grips
Side-plates
Backup light
switch(Upper) w/two
4-40 screws and nuts
Neutral safety
switch (Lower)
E-clip
Limiter blocker pin and
(cable)
e-clips three speed in
upper hole, two speed
in lower hole.
Park limiter blocker pin
and e-clips for Chryslers
and Fords only
floor. For those vehicles we recommend that
you fabricate a stiffener plate for additional
strength.
STEP 4. Install (but do not secure) the carpet
back to it’s original position. Cut holes in the
carpet for the mounting holes and a 1½” slit for
the cable. DO NOT use a drill bit to make the holes
in the carpet.
STEP 5. Install the cable on the shifter as
shown in Figure 1. The cable attachment tab
should be bolted to the
shifter base using the supplied ¼” X ½” bolt, lock
washer and nut. Install e-clip to secure the
cable.
STEP 6. Install the backup light switch and
the neutral safety switch in place on the shifter
mechanism as shown in Figure 1. Install them
using the two supplied #4-40 screws, nuts and
lock washers. If necessary, bend the fingers
slightly so that they engage the slots. Caution:
Overtightening the switch attachment screws
will crack the switch housings.
Adjust the switches, so that the neutral
outside surface of the
safety switch (the lower switch) operates
in Neutral and Park only and so that the
backup light switch (the upper switch) operates in Reverse only, by loosening the screws
and sliding the switches as required. Then
retighten the screws.
STEP 7. Install the shifter mechanism into the
vehicle. Slide the shifter cable through the
carpet and the hole in the floorboard. Bolt the
shifter down using four ¼” hex bolts and
nuts. If required use ¼” washers as shims
between the shifter mechanism and the floor
to level the shifter. Do not bend the shifter
mounting tabs. ROUTE THE CABLE AS
SHOWN IN FIGURE 3, AVOID SHARP BENDS
WHICH WILL KINK AND DAMAGE THE
CABLE. Use cable clamps or tie wraps to
secure the cable housing to the chassis to
avoid contact with hot engine or exhaust
system. Seal the cable hole shut to avoid the
entry of exhaust fumes or water. For General Motors vehicles go to Step 8, for Ford
vehicles go to Step 13, for Chrysler vehicles
go to Step 19, for aluminum Powerglide
equipped vehicles go to Step 25.
GENERAL MOTORS
STEP 8. If you have not already done so,
remove the stock selector lever nut and the
selector lever from the transmission. Discard the stock lever and the stock shifter
linkage. Install the B&M selector lever in
position using the stock selector lever nut
(See Figure 4). Torque nut to 23 lb. ft. The
lever should move smoothly from front to
rear with a positive click in each gear position.
STEP 9. Remove the two transmission oil
pan bolts from the middle of the left side of the
oil pan. Install the cable bracket in position
(See Figure 4). The bracket must be installed with two spacers between the pan
and the bracket. (If your transmission is
equipped with a cast aluminum oil pan, these
spacers should be omitted however the
cable bracket may have to be modified).
Install the two supplied 5/16-18 x 1.00" bolts
and tighten to 12-13 lb. ft. Do not overtighten
as this can damage the pan gasket.
STEP 10. Route the shifter cable according to Figure 3. Avoid kinks and sharp bends
and route the cable away from hot engine or
exhaust parts.
Remove the two rubber boots, one large
nut, and a large lockwasher from the
threaded end of the shifter cable. Slide the
end of the cable into the cable bracket. Install
the large nut and the lockwasher loosely
over the end of the cable. Install the two
rubber boots onto the end of the cable. Install
the swivel on the threaded end of the cable
and position it in the center of the threaded
portion.
STEP 11. If you have a four speed automatic transmission, be sure that you have
removed the three speed limiter blocker
pin shown in Figure 1. If you have a three
2
speed automatic transmission, the three speed
limiter blocker pin and e-clips should be installed. The Park limiter blocker pin and e-clips
should not be installed for any GM transmission.
Move the transmission selector lever by
hand to the full rear position (Low). Shift the
shifter mechanism to the Low gear position
(ratcheted all the way back). Adjust the large
nuts on the cable so that the swivel will slide
into the hole on the selector lever. Tighten the
large nuts completely. Be sure that the swivel
will slide freely in and out of the hole in the
selector lever. Note: The shifter will not
operate correctly unless the correct hole
in the shift lever is used as shown below:
#8-32 Screw
Cover
#10-32 Cover
Screws (2)
Reverse
lockout
handle
Figure 2
Leave the swivel out of the hole and move
the selector lever to Park, all the way forward.
Also move the shifter to Park position. (See
operation section, page 8). Reinsert the swivel
into the hole in the selector lever. Check to see
that the swivel will slide freely in and out of the
hole in the selector lever in this position. If it
does not slip in freely, adjust the swivel slightly
until it will slip into the hole in the lever.
Move the shifter back to the Low gear
position and check that the swivel will still slide
easily in and out of the hole in the selector
lever. (If you do not use the hole in the lever,
it will be impossible to correctly adjust the
cable). Operate the shifter through all the gear
positions. Check to make sure the swivel will
slide in and out of the selector lever hole in
each gear position. The shift cable is now
correctly adjusted. Install the cotter key supplied with the shifter into the swivel and spread
the key ends.
If you have a problem, DO NOT FORCE
THE SHIFTER, this will damage the cable,
the shifter or the transmission. Simply start
at the beginning and carefully check all your
steps.
STEP 12. On GM vehicles, the neutral safety/
backup light switch may be located on the
shifter (steering column or console) or it may
be a mechanical interlock in the steering column that prevents the key from turning to the
Start position unless the shifter is in the Park
or the Neutral position. Identify the type of
Cable route for
Chrysler installations
neutral safety system you have. If the key will
not turn to the Start position unless the stock
shifter is in Park or Neutral, you have a mechanical interlock, otherwise you have a neutral safety switch. With either type, disconnect the battery ground cable to prevent
accidental shorts. If you have a neutral
safety switch, locate and identify the neutral
safety wires (engine will not crank unless
these wires are connected together). Extend the wires from the GM switch to the
shifter. Strip a ¼" of insulation off the wires
and install the slip-on terminals supplied in
the kit. Crimp the terminals onto the wires
using a crimping tool or pliers. Connect the
neutral safety wires to the LOWER switch
and the backup light wires to the UPPER
NOTE: Large, wide loops provide
smoother shifts and longer cable life
Cable route for GM and
Ford installations
Loop cable behind
tailshaft mount or in
this approximate area
switch (See Figure 1). Tape the terminal
connections and all other connections to
prevent shorts.
If you have a mechanical interlock cut the
wire that goes from the Start position on the
ignition switch to the solenoid on the starter.
This wire is usually a 10 or 12 gauge purple
wire. Run wires from both ends of the cut
wire to the B&M Stealth Pro Ratchet Shifter.
Put the slip-on terminals on the ends of the
lengthened wires. Crimp the terminals onto the
wires using a crimping tool or pliers. Connect
the wires to the LOWER switch on the shifter.
The backup light switch is usually located on
the steering column behind the instrument
panel. Lengthen these wires and run them to
the UPPER switch on the shifter. Tape the
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