Michael I would hazard a guess that the lever is made from some sort of alloy
steel and that it will require heat treatment to acquire its maximum strength.
Local heating to produce a bend, or even welding on it would significantly
weaken such a lever.
The correct practice would be to do whatever is required to produce the correct
shape then have the whole lever heat treated.
Of course determining what type of steel it is made from will be necessary
before the correct heat treatment proceedure can be determined.
The manufacturers may be prepared to tell you what type of steel it is made
from.
Michael S
________________________________
From: Healeys <healeys-bounces at autox.team.net> on behalf of Michael Oritt
<michael.oritt at gmail.com>
Sent: Thursday, August 10, 2017 9:22:06 PM
To: Austin Healey
Subject: [Healeys] Gear shift lever bending (No Healey Content)
The gear shift lever on one of my race cars broke and though I have had it
repaired--as in sleeved/welded up--I do not have confidence in its future
reliability.
The transmission is a UK Ford unit, commonly used in Lotuses and Cortinas, but
because of the compactness of the car's cockpit, etc. the stick must be
modified from its original configuration by putting about a 30 degree angle in
the straight section in order to clear the dash panel.
I have sourced a replacement which is described as "billet" and my question is
whether heating and bending the gear lever in order to introduce the necessary
angle would weaken it significantly. Opinions and tips solicited and welcome.
Best--Michael Oritt
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