I'm just kinda wondering if the shifter in my 80 sa is really wore out or if they are suspposed to wobble around when its in gear? Obviously the shifter is shaped different than an fb shifter but are they suspposed to be as tight as an fb one?

 

This is what you need. I've replaced several.

Click: Transmission

 

Mazda actually makes (made?) a "shift kit" of bits and pieces, including the above nylon pivot tip above.
PN 0305-99-178
Should solve the prob.
BUT:
be warned, unless you have already replaced them, all THREE of the rubber gasket/seals btw the tranny tower and the interior of the car are likely cracked or worn and will need replacement too.
I think only a few of the 3 are still available.
All the above is unique to the SA as well....

Stu Aull
80 GS
Alaska

 

Mazda actually makes (made?) a "shift kit" of bits and pieces, including the above nylon pivot tip above.
PN 0305-99-178
Should solve the prob.
BUT:
be warned, unless you have already replaced them, all THREE of the rubber gasket/seals btw the tranny tower and the interior of the car are likely cracked or worn and will need replacement too.
I think only a few of the 3 are still available.
All the above is unique to the SA as well....

Stu Aull
80 GS
Alaska

 

crap - sorry for double post.
@#$%! connection...
;(

Stu Aull
80GS
Alaska

 

Thanks guys, I went to my mazda dealer this morning, which was real big back in the day for using first gens in hill climb compitions, and gave them that part number stu has posted above. They said they didn't sell it as a "kit" any longer but they could get every thing that was listed in the kit seperatly. It was only 17 bucks total tax and all so I don't think that's too bad.
When I remove the 4 bolts from around the shifter does the handle just pull straight out, switch bushings, then slide the handle just right back in?

 

yep - the nylon bush just sits on the ball at the bottom of the lever - maybe use a bit of grease to hold it on so it doesn't drop in and get lost! Can't recall if it actually "snaps" over the ball or just sits on it...
niece the parts are still avai!!

Stu Aull
80 GS
Alaska

 

It snaps on.

 

I pulled the shifter out and was quick to learn why it was sooo bad there was nothing left of the bushing! In the bottom of the hole where the bushing is suspposed to be there is this tiny rectangle hole and there was a tiny piece of the bushing remains maybe the size of the button on an ink pin. So I'm assuming the rest of the plastic has fallen down in the trans. I had previously changed the fluid but at the time didn't see any thing in it. How bad would it be if its still in there? Surely since the plastic would be so old if it were to get caught in the gears it would just crumble instead of chiping a gear?