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Welcome to FordPinto.com, The home of the PCCA => General Help- Ask the Experts... => Topic started by: AndrewG on November 05, 2014, 04:44:59 PM

Title: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: AndrewG on November 05, 2014, 04:44:59 PM
So I finally found a shifter bushing clip and purchased it for a ridiculous price, plus shipping... (considering it's just a small piece of plastic).
I thought I might reproduce it as I have access to a Maker Bot, but I'm told that I need exact dimensions of the part in the form of an ".OBJ" or ".STL" file.  (We tried scanning it, but it didn't reproduce a good result).

Anyone out there have any ideas how I can get these dimensions for this part?  (The seller that I bought it from doesn't keep that information.)

Thanks
AJ
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: dick1172762 on November 05, 2014, 05:42:29 PM
Reverse  engineering .
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: AndrewG on November 05, 2014, 05:48:43 PM
Reverse  engineering .

I don't think I can create the files needed doing that, and as I noted, the scan of the original part did not produce an acceptable product.
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: amc49 on November 05, 2014, 11:06:43 PM
The dimensions are simple enough to measure, you'll be doing that on your own with a set of calipers but that's not going to put the information into a cogent file.  Often some of the measurement can be dumped on a part like that but not until someone fully understands how the part installs and functions in normal use. I used to hand draw up blueprints for one off parts for machine shops all the time. We saved many thousands at the print shop doing it. Seeing the slot there that obviously snaps over something, until one comes up with a flexible yet very durable base plastic the point is moot anyhow. The machine may not want that plastic at all. Only the beginning of the questions there.
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: AndrewG on November 06, 2014, 11:03:06 AM
Been doing some research and it seems that I will need a program that creates these  .OBJ and  .STL files for 3D modeling.  From there I can enter the dimensions of the part and try to create it.

Has anyone done this, or used the Maker Bot?
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: Wittsend on November 06, 2014, 01:23:44 PM
My son is a machinist and has a Ultimaker 3D Printer.  He offers this advice:

Makerbot. Can't speak for it. No experience on it
 Software: auto desk has like a 30 day evaluation of their stuff if you register I'm pretty sure or you can get a monthly membership for ~$240/month. You can use google Sketchup with an STL exporter (add on) but it is only good for basic shapes and I personally hate it with a passion... 
 In general just try and design items to have as few overhangs as possible. Overhangs are the death of many good prints! If your using the items in a hot car PLA plastic will melt super easily... ABS is better but it is a pain to print with. XT by colorfabb is a good inbetween filament. 
 That's really about it regarding 3D printing stuff...
  To give an idea of how low a temp the plastic gets soft (doesn't melt and ooze but gets soft and deforms) it's about 70*C or I think about 160F. 100*C boils water. And we all know how hot a hot car can get!
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: AndrewG on November 06, 2014, 01:50:35 PM
My son is a machinist and has a Ultimaker 3D Printer.  He offers this advice:

Makerbot. Can't speak for it. No experience on it
 Software: auto desk has like a 30 day evaluation of their stuff if you register I'm pretty sure or you can get a monthly membership for ~$240/month. You can use google Sketchup with an STL exporter (add on) but it is only good for basic shapes and I personally hate it with a passion... 
 In general just try and design items to have as few overhangs as possible. Overhangs are the death of many good prints! If your using the items in a hot car PLA plastic will melt super easily... ABS is better but it is a pain to print with. XT by colorfabb is a good inbetween filament. 
 That's really about it regarding 3D printing stuff...
  To give an idea of how low a temp the plastic gets soft (doesn't melt and ooze but gets soft and deforms) it's about 70*C or I think about 160F. 100*C boils water. And we all know how hot a hot car can get!

That's very useful information.  Thanks!
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: 65ShelbyClone on November 21, 2014, 06:50:13 PM
Anyone out there have any ideas how I can get these dimensions for this part?

Calipers?

The original bushing is probably Nylon if I had to guess and likely a lot tougher than something spit out by a consumer 3D printer.

There are/were bronze versions of it available, but I don't recall who from. May have been Burton Power in the UK. The Type 9 gearbox used in stateside Merkurs and tons of other Ford cars over there uses the same bushing as the Pinto four-speed.
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: dick1172762 on November 21, 2014, 10:52:03 PM
Pintony had them for sale at one time. Their on E-bay all the time. Burton has the bronze ones.  If you drag race, they will not last.  Drive like it's a collector car and they will last a very long time.
Title: Re: Making a new shifter bushing clip
Post by: dick1172762 on November 22, 2014, 12:44:52 PM
Merkur Midwest has the T9 shifter bushings for $14.35.  T9 should be the same as FOG tranies.