The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1948 3600 three speed floor shifter conversion

I need some advice please. I have a 1948 Chevy 3600, and the three on the tree is a nightmare. I would like to find the correct aftermarket conversion kit to convert it to a floor shift and do away with the column shift. The numbers on the transmission read: 3686832 GM. The other numbers are no longer legible. Hope this helps. Any advice would be appreciated. Thanks.

You would be miles ahead by repairing the three on the tree than to try to adapt a floor shifter to the 3 speed. There are many rod ends, a bell crank, and bushings which wear out, but can be either repaired or replaced. There is an adjustment which needs to be done to the shift box.
Carl

Thanks Carl,
What needs to be done inside the shiftbox. How is the best way to align the forks, etc???? Thanks again, Michael

Thanks Carl.
I agree...Do you have a secret way to align the shifter forks in the box and the rods, etc....I am sure the issue is in the shifter box....just cant get it all to line up properly. Thaks again, Michael

Give these guys a call

https://www.nationalchevyassoc.com/7105

Michael, take the linkage loose at the transmission, then move the 2 arms on the transmission to the neutral position. Hold the linkage up an see if the ends line up with the holes in the shift arms. Put the column arms in the neutral position and see if the holes and ends on the tranny still line up. If not, lengthen or shorten each rod using the threaded part to make a nice easy fit. Put the rod ends back in the transmission arms. Try it out. Remember these trucks like to be shifted slowly and deliberately from first to neutral to second. Don't try speed shifting, it won't end nicely. If the shift is still sloppy or hangs up you will have to replace the bushings in the column. Kits are available from all the usual suppliers.

Thank you to all who have given advice. As a first time user, I am impressed. Tomorrow I will put all of your advice to use, and will report back with the results. Again, thank you guys. Much appreciated. Michael

Check our Deve's technical page. He makes a floor shifter that is great and puts the shift stick in the correct location. He has free plans where by you can build your own. I agree... with three on the tree it's time to flee. It's too much monkey motion and didn't work well from inseception...that's my story and I'm sticking with it.
Steve

UPDATE...Thanks again for all of the great advice. I listened to "Whitedog" and called National Chevy Assoc. and purchased their floor shifter kit. It is not shown as fitting a truck, only passenger car, however, with little effort it can be adapted. The direct route to the transmission has made shifting a whole lot easier. Thanks again to all.