The B&M Z-Gate shifter can be used
in vehicles equipped with most popular
three speed automatic transmissions.
Your B&M Z-Gate shifter comes equipped
with a neutral safety switch, transmission brackets and 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. To use the
B&M Z-Gate shifter with the Ford AOD
transmission you will need our optional
accessory kit #40496. See the list on
page 8.
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
Printed in the U.S.A.
AT ANY OTHER TIME. Securing the steering column lock lever in any other position will both PREVENT the steering
wheel from locking and the removal of
the ignition key.
INSTALLATION
STEP 1. Remove the stock shift linkage;
Column Shifters: Remove all rods, lev-
ers 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 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 cable from the transmission. Remove the cable bracket if
equipped. If there is a cable or linkage
from the console shifter or the transmission to the steering column lock, it must
be blocked in the Park position as described above.
NOTE: The shifter installation may require console modification or complete
console removal depending on the
space available in your vehicle.
STEP 2. Pull the carpet away from the
floorboard where the shifter is to be
mounted. If the vehicle has a bench type
seat, move 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. Make sure the trigger and the knob clear the dash with the
shifter in the Park 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, 3-3/4" ahead of the
front shifter mounting hole. Drill or cut a
1" diameter cable hole in the floorboard.
NOTE: Some floorboards are extremely
thin and will not adequately support the
shifter mechanism when bolted to the
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 the cable. DO NOT use a drill
bit to make the holes in the carpet.
STEP 5. (This step is omitted on 1969
and later Chrysler vehicles.) Assemble
the neutral safety switch and the backup
light switch to the shifter using two #4-40
screws, nuts and lock washers, as
shown in Figure #1. The backup light
switch is on the other side of the backing
plate and is not seen in the illustration.
Beware, over tightening the switch attachment screws will crack the switch
housings. Install the switch assembly
on the shifter. To adjust the switch loosen
the screws and slide the switches as
required, then retighten the screws.
STEP 6. Install the cable on the shifter
as shown in Figure #1. The cable attach-
9500083-11
Page 2
Gear indicator
Small O-Ring
Spring clip
decal
Backup light switch,
on other side
Neutral safety
switch
Cable mounting
tab goes on front
side of shifter
backing plate
E-Clip
Figure #1
ment tab should be bolted to the outside
surface of the shifter base using a 1/4" X
1/2" hex bolt, lock washer and nut. Install
the e-clip to secure the cable to the cable
pin.
STEP 7. Install the shifter mechanism
into the vehicle. Slide the shifter cable
through the carpet and the hole in the
floor. Bolt the shifter down using four 1/
4" hex bolts and nuts. If required use 1/
4" washers as shims between the shifter
mechanism and the floor to level the
shifter. ROUTE THE CABLE AS SHOWN
IN FIGURE #2, AVOID SHARP BENDS
WHICH WILL KINK AND DAMAGE THE
CABLE. Use cable clamps or tie wraps
to secure the cable housing to chassis
to avoid contact with hot engine or exhaust system. For General Motors ve-
hicles go to Step 8, for Ford vehicles go
to Step 13, for Chrysler vehicles go to
Step 19.
GENERAL MOTORS
STEP 8. If you have not already done
so, remove the stock selector lever nut
and the selector lever. 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#3). Torque the nut to 23 ft. lbs. 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
2
in position (See Figure #3). 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
will have to be modified.) Install the two
5/16-18 x 1.00" bolts supplied and tighten
to 12-13 ft. lbs. Do not overtighten as this
can damage the pan gasket.
STEP 10.Remove the two rubber boots,
one large nut, and a large lockwasher
from the threaded end of the shifter cable.
Route the shifter cable according to Fig-ure#2. Avoid sharp bends and route the
cable away from hot engine exhaust
parts. Slide the end of the cable into the
cable bracket, install the lockwasher and
large nut over the end of the cable. Posi-
Page 3
tion the cable so the threaded portion of
the cable housing is centered in the
cable bracket. Tighten both large nuts to
hold the cable in this position. Install the
two rubber boots onto the end of the
cable.
STEP 11.Move the transmission selector lever by hand to full rear position
(Low). Operate the shifter lever 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 cen-ter 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 center hole in the shift lever is
used.
Leave the swivel out of the hole and
move the selector lever to Park, all the
way forward. Also move the shifter to the
Park position (all the way forward). Reinsert the swivel into the center hole in
the selector lever. Check to see that the
swivel will slide freely in and out of the
center 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 center
hole in the selector lever. (If you do not
use the center hole in the lever, it will be
impossible to correctly adjust the cable.)
Operate the shifter through all the gear
Figure #2
positions. Check to make sure swivel
will slide in and out of the center 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 NOTFORCE THE SHIFTER, this will damage
the cable, the shifter or the transmission. Simply start at the beginning and
check all your steps.
STEP 12. On GM vehicles the neutral
safety 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 Neutral position. Identify the type of 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
F
Cable swivel
Cotter pin
(Use center hole)
R
C
GM lever
5/16 x 1" bolt and spacer
(Metric trans use M8 x 25 bolt)
GM cable bracket
7/16" nut
Figure #3
3
Spacer
Use these two holes for
TH-400 transmission. Use
other two holes for other
GM transmissions
Spacer
GM cable bracket (Trimming of bracket
required if used on cast aluminum pan)
Page 4
Ford lever
neutral safety switch. If you have a neutral safety switch, locate and identify the
neutral safety wires (engine will not crank
unless these wires are connected together). With either type, disconnect the
battery ground cable to prevent accidental shorts. If you have a neutral safety
switch, extend both wires from the GM
switch to the switch on the shifter. If you
have a mechanical interlock cut the wire
that goes from the start position on the
ignition switch to the solenoid on the
1/4" x 1-1/2" bolt,
lockwahsher, nut
Ford
lever
Cable swivel
Cotter pin
5/16" x 1" bolt
and spacer
Figure #5
1/4 x 1-1/2" bolt,
lockwasher and nut
Cable swivel
C-4 cable bracket
Cotter pin
Figure #4
starter. This wire is usually a 10 or 12
gauge purple wire. Run wires from both
ends of the cut wire to the shifter. Put slip
on terminals on the ends of the lengthened wire. Crimp the terminals onto the
wires using a crimping tool or pliers.
Connect the wires to the neutral safety
switch on the shifter, on the driver's side
of the shifter. Connect the backup light
wires to the switch on the other side of
the shifter. Tape terminal connections
and all other connections to prevent
C-6 cable
bracket
7/16" nut
4
Remove shaded
7/16" nut
shorts. Reconnect the battery ground
cable, disconnect the coil wire and set
the parking brake. Check the switch operation by attempting to start the motor in
each shifter position. The starter must
crank only when shifter is in the Park or
Neutral position. Adjust the switches if
required. Reconnect the coil wire. Go to
Step 25.
STEP 13. If you have not already done
so, remove the nut and lockwasher holding the downshift linkage onto the downshift lever shaft. The downshift lever is
the outer lever on C-4, C-5 and C-6
transmissions. Pull the lever off the shaft
and allow the linkage to hang free. Remove and discard the stock shift linkage
rods. Some C-6 and all (late) C-4 and C5 transmissions have a neutral safety/
back up light switch on the transmission
shift lever. If your transmission is so
equipped, remove the two bolts holding
the switch in place and slide it off the shift
shaft. Disconnect the switch at the factory plug and discard it.
STEP 14.Install the B&M selector lever
(See Figure #4 or #5). Note: The B&M
lever must point downward for proper
operation. If the stock shift lever on your
transmission points down, you will have
to remove the lower part of the stock arm
by cutting it off to clear the B&M lever (SeeFigure #4). Install the B&M selector lever
onto the shift shaft of the transmission.
Align the selector lever so that when it
portion of lever
FORD
Page 5
7/16" nut
Chrysler cable
bracket
5/16" x 1" bolt and spacer
Figure #6
points straight down it travels equal arcs
in both directions from the center, then
tighten the 1/4"-20 x 1 1/2" pinch bolt and
nut. The lever should travel smoothly
from front to back with a positive click in
each gear position. Make sure the o-ring
is in position on the downshift shaft and
install the downshift lever in position on
the shaft. Install the lockwasher and nut
and tighten securely. The downshift lever must operate smoothly. Reconnect
the downshift linkage.
STEP 15. Cable bracket installation:
C-4, C-5:
from the rear servo cover. Install the
cable bracket in position (See Figure#4). Install the two servo cover bolts as
removed and tighten to 12-13 ft. lbs. Do
not overtighten as this can distort the
servo cover.
C-6: Remove the two transmission oil
pan bolts from the left rear corner of the
oil pan. Install the cable bracket in position (See Figure #5) with two spacers
between the pan and bracket. (If your
transmission is equipped with a cast
aluminum oil pan, these spacers should
be omitted.) Install the two 5/16-18 x
1.00" bolts supplied and tighten 12-13 ft.
lbs. Do not overtighten as this can damage the pan gasket.
STEP 16.Remove the two rubber boots,
one large nut, and a large lockwasher
from the threaded end of the shifter cable.
Route the shifter cable according to Fig-ure#2. Avoid sharp bends and route the
cable away from hot engine exhaust
parts. The cable may be secured up and
Remove the two lower bolts
Chrysler lever
1/4" x 1-1/2" bolt,
lockwasher, nut
Cable swivel
Cotter pin
out of the way with nylon cable ties. Slide
the end of the cable into the cable bracket,
install the lockwasher and large nut over
the end of the cable. Position the cable
so the threaded portion of the cable
housing is centered in the cable bracket.
Tighten both large nuts to hold the cable
in this position. Install the two rubber
boots onto end of cable.
STEP 17.Move the transmission selector lever by hand to full rear position
(Low). Place the shifter lever to the Low
gear position (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.
With the swivel in the selector lever,
move the shifter to the Park position, as
far forward as the shifter will go without
forcing it. (The shifter has further travel
that is used to reach the GM Park position but is not used on Ford transmissions. Trying to force the cable will damage the cable.) The shift lever on the
transmission should be all the way forward. Check to see that the swivel will
slide freely in and out of the hole in the
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 in both the
Low and Park positions. 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. Install the cotter key
supplied with the shifter into the swivel
and spread the key ends.
If you have a problem, DO NOTFORCE THE SHIFTER, this will damage
the cable, the shifter or the transmission. Simply start at the beginning and
carefully check all your steps. Reinstall
the downshift linkage, tightening the nut
securely.
IMPORTANT: Do not force the shifter to
over travel into the Park position. This
will move the shifter into GM Park position and will damage the cable or transmission.
STEP 18.On Ford vehicles, the neutral
safety/backup light switch is located on
the transmission (or on the steering
column on some early vehicles). If the
vehicle has an AOD transmission the
neutral safety/backup light switches on
the B&M shifter will NOT be used. The
neutral safety/backup light switch on the
AOD transmissions will continue to function normally.
On the C-4 and C-5 transmissions
it is necessary to completely remove the
stock neutral safety/backup light switch
in order to install the B&M transmission
shift lever. On C-4, C-5 and C-6 transmissions, it will be necessary to hook up
the neutral safety/backup light switches
on the B&M Z-gate shifter. Locate and
identify the neutral safety (the engine will
not crank unless these wires are connected together), and reverse light wires.
Disconnect the battery ground cable before beginning to wire the neutral safety
and reverse light switches. Reroute the
wires to the shifter. Strip 1/4" insulation
off the wires and install the supplied
slip-on terminals. Crimp the terminals
onto the wires using a crimping tool or
pliers. Connect the neutral safety wires
to the switch on the driver's side of the
shifter and the backup light wires to the
other switch (See Figure #1). Tape the
terminal connections to prevent shorts.
Reconnect the battery ground cable, disconnect the coil wire and set the parking
brake. Check the switch operation by
attempting to start the motor in each
shifter position. The starter must crank
only when the shifter is in the Park or
Neutral position. Check the backup light
operation when the shifter is shifted to
the Reverse position. Adjust the
switches if required. Reconnect the coil
wire. Go to Step 25.
CHRYSLER
STEP 19.If you have not already done
5
Page 6
Figure #7
so, loosen the pinch bolt on the throttle
lever on the transmission. This is the
lever on the small diameter shaft. Pry the
lever off with a screwdriver and allow the
linkage to hang free. Remove and discard the stock shift lever and the stock
shift linkage. Install the B&M selector
lever in position and tighten the pinch
bolt securely (See Figure #6). Make sure
the lever is not pushed down so far as to
touch the transmission case. This will
cause the lever to bind on the case. The
lever should travel smoothly from front to
back with a positive click in each gear
position. Install the stock throttle lever in
position on the small diameter shaft as
removed and tighten the pinch bolt securely. The throttle lever must operate
smoothly.
STEP 20.Remove the two transmission
oil pan bolts directly below the shift lever.
Install the cable bracket in position (SeeFigure #6) with two spacers between the
pan and the bracket. (If your transmission is equipped with a cast aluminum
oil pan these spacers can be omitted.)
Install the two 5/16-18 x 1.00" pan bolts
supplied and tighten to 12-13 ft. lbs. Do
not overtighten as this can damage the
pan gasket.
STEP 21.Remove two rubber boots, one
large nut, and a large lockwasher from
the threaded end of the shifter cable.
Route the shifter cable according to Fig-ure#2. Avoid sharp bends and route the
cable away from hot engine and exhaust
parts. The cable may be secured up out
of the way with nylon cable ties. Slide the
end of the cable into the cable bracket,
install the lockwasher and large nut over
the end of the cable. Position the cable
Trimming shifter tower:
Typical installation
so the threaded portion of the cable
housing is centered in the cable bracket.
Tighten both large nuts to hold the cable
in this position. Install the two rubber
boots onto the end of the cable.
STEP 22.Move the transmission selector lever by hand to the full forward position (Low). Place the shifter lever 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.
With the swivel in the selector lever,
move the shifter to the Park position, as
far forward as the shifter will go without
forcing it. (The shifter has further travel
that is used to reach the GM Park position but is not used on Chrysler transmissions. Trying to force the shifter will
damage the cable.) The shift lever on the
transmission should be all the way back.
Check to see that the swivel will slide
freely in and out of the hole in the 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 in both the Low
and Park positions. Operate the shifter
through all the gear positions. Check to
make sure swivel will slide in and out of
the selector lever hole in each gear position. Install the cotter key supplied with
the shifter into the swivel and spread the
key ends.
If you have a problem, DO NOTFORCE THE SHIFTER, this will damage
the cable, the shifter or the transmission. Simply start at the beginning and
carefully check all your steps.
IMPORTANT: Do not force the shifter to
over travel into the Park position. This
will move the shifter into GM Park position and will damage the cable or the
transmission.
STEP 23.Check the operation of the
throttle linkage again. The linkage must
operate smoothly with no bind. All transmissions using automatic valve bodies
must have the throttle linkage connected
and operating or transmission damage
IMPORTANT
Before installing the T-handle onto
the shifter put Loctite on the threads of
the stick. The T- Handle may gall on
the threads of the stick and make it
impossible to remove the handle from
the stick. If this occurs it can cause the
stick to break if you use excessive
force while attempting to remove the
knob from the stick.
Page 7
will result.
STEP 24. Neutral safety/backup light
switch.
’66-’68: The neutral safety switch will
continue to function normally. It will not
be necessary to hook up the neutral
safety switch wires on the shifter. Disconnect the battery ground cable before
wiring the backup light switch. Locate
the original backup light switch on the
steering column or the console shifter.
Run these wires to the switch on the
passenger's side of the B&M Z-Gate(See Figure #1). Reconnect the ground
wire and check the light for proper operation. Adjust the switches on the shifter if
required.
’69 and Later: The neutral safety/backup
switch is located on the transmission
and will continue to function normally. It
will not be necessary to connect any
wires to the switches on the shifter.
STEP 25.Remove the T-handle, the jam
nut and the small trigger knob and rod
from the shifter. To remove the trigger
knob and rod remove the spring clip at
the bottom of the rod and pull the assembly upwards. There is a small rubber ORing between the rod and the “U” shaped
stamping, do not loose it (See Figure
#1).
Install the gear indicator tape on the
side of the stick using the dimensions
given in Figure #1.
Place the black tower over the shifter
mechanism until the bottom edge of the
tower touches the floor. Hold the tower
level to the shifter with the bottom of the
tower touching the highest surface on
the floor it will come into contact with
(See Figure #7). Use a ruler to measure
the distance X from the underside of the
tower to the tower mounting brackets on
the shifter mechanism.
STEP 26.Set a pair of dividers at the
distance X, measured in Step25. Hold
the tower level to the shifter mechanism
with the bottom of the tower touching the
highest surface on the floor it will come
into contact with. Holding the tower in
position, place one leg of the divider
against the floor while the other touches
the tower (See Figure #7). Using the
dividers, scribe a line around the tower
that follows the contour of the floorboard.
Remove the tower and trim at the scribe
line using tin snips. Once the tower is
properly trimmed, install it using two #10
self tapping screws.
STEP 27.Slip the chrome cover over the
shifter stick. Replace the trigger rod assembly and reinstall the spring clip. Replace the small rubber O-Ring between
the rod and the “U” shaped stamping
(See Figure #1). Press the cover tabs
into the slots in the tower to snap it in
place. Move the shifter through the full
travel and notice the clearance in the
cover slot. If the stick rubs the cover,
either the cover or the tower is improperly installed. Replace the T-handle and
the jam nut.
Figure #8
7
Page 8
OPERATION
Operation of the B&M Z-gate shifter
is quite simple. After you run it through
the gate positions two or three times, you
will find it easy to use.
Figure #8 shows the stick and trigger
positions that correspond to various
transmission positions. The indicator
decal will line up with the correct gear
positions on the chrome cover. Study the
illustration and operate the shifter to all
positions by lifting or dropping the trig-
__ Locking steering column lever is
permanently fastened in the full
up position. Step 1.
___ Shifter is convenient to reach and
has ample room for your hand in
both park and low gear. Step 2.
___ Carpet covers floorboard holes.
Step 4.
___ Cable is securely fastened to the
shifter and held with E-Clip. Step
6.
___Shifter is securely mounted to floor-
board. Step 8.
___ Shifter cable is clear of exhaust
system, engine and any moving
parts. Step 7.
ger and moving the stick. Note: There are
two Park positions on the shifter. The
one closest to Reverse is used on Ford
and Chrysler vehicles. The forward one
is used on G.M. vehicles.
The stick will move between Neutral
and Drive positions without lifting the
trigger.
To engage Reverse from Neutral, lift
the trigger slightly and push the stick
forward.
To engage Park from Neutral or Reverse, lift the trigger fully and push the
CHECK LIST
___ Throttle lever and shift lever are
tight on transmission. GM step 9,
Ford Step 14, Chrysler Step 20.
___ Oil pan bolts are tightened to 12-
13 ft. lbs. GM Step 10, Ford Step
16, Chrysler Step 21.
___ Shifter is properly adjusted. Cable
boots are installed, cable nuts are
tightened and swivel is secured
with cotter key. GM Step 11, Ford
Step 17, Chrysler Step 22.
___ The neutral safety switch is con-
nected and properly adjusted to
prevent engine starts in drive gears
and reverse. GM Step 12, Ford
Step 18, Chrysler not required.
stick forward until it stops, then release
the trigger. The shifter will lock in Park
position and you must lift the trigger to
Reverse or Neutral.
When downshifting, Drive to 2 or 2 to
1 you must lift the trigger and pull the
stick back.
When upshifting, 1 to 2 or 2 to Drive,
moving the stick with a quick, firm push
will cause the trigger to stop in each gear
position. Moving the stick slowly will allow the trigger to slide through the gears
without stopping.
___ There is no debris in the shifter
mechanism.
___ Tower is trimmed and securely
held with two screws. Step 26.
___ Chrome cover snapped into place
and shift position indicator correctly aligned. Step 27.
___ Shifter moves freely in all posi-
tions as described in Shifter Operation.
___ If your shifter is not working prop-
erly do not attempt to drive your car.
Make sure you have followed all
instructions. If the shifter is broken
or defective return it to your B&M
dealer.
GM cable bracket
C-4 cable bracket
C-6 cable bracket
GM lever
Chrysler cable bracket
Chrysler lever
Ford lever
Cable brackets and levers
WARNING
PERIODIC INSPECTION AND MAINTENANCE OF YOUR SHIFTER IS RECOMMENDED TO ENSURE THAT THE
MECHANISM IS WELL LUBRICATED, FREE FROM DIRT OR RUST AND THAT THE CABLE IS PROPERLY
ADJUSTED. LACK OF MAINTENANCE COULD RESULT IN A FAILURE INCLUDING A FAILURE OF THE
REVERSE LOCKOUT SAFETY FEATURE.
8
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