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#1295146 01/17/2019 4:10 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 152
O
'Bolter
'Bolter
O Offline
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 152
I know remote diagnosis is difficult at best. Nevertheless, your help would be appreciated. There is a vibration in the shift lever of my SM420, which is in a '59 3800 with 261. What is the most likely culprit: u-joints, transmission bearings, or something else?

Thanks,


Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
oldbolter #1295155 01/17/2019 10:55 AM
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Bubba - Curmudgeon
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 29,269
Is there a spring where the shift arm/lever enters the top of the transmission?

The cross sections of the spring ca...illustration of the SM420 transmission.

Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 152
O
'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 152
Yes, the spring is there.


Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,518
S
'Bolter
'Bolter
S Offline
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 1,518
When does it vibrate? which gears, idling in neutral, idling in gear with clutch in?

Check the first/reverse gear for rock on the main shaft (requires the mainshaft removal and disassembly), it should be no more than .015".
Also, check the shifting yokes for wear, the clearance between the shifting yoke/fork and sliders should be no more of a gap of .020, prefer .010.

I recently rebuilt a sm420 for a guy and it had a hell of a vibration in the shifter and on inspection I found both situations, the first gear was worn allowing a rock on the main spline of .040 and clearance on the 1st and 2nd shifter yoke on the first/reverse gear to be .035.

Last edited by sstock; 01/17/2019 3:12 PM.

1953 Chevrolet 3100
261 cu inch, sm420, 3.55 rear, torque tube still,omaha orange, still 6 volt, RPO green glass, side carrier spare, all done
In the DITY Gallery
Video of the 261 running

1964 GMC 1000
305 Big Block V6, sm420, the next cab off restoration
sstock #1295362 01/19/2019 1:14 AM
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 152
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'Bolter
'Bolter
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Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 152
Thanks for the help. It looks as though I need to dig deeper into the trans.


Oldbolter
1959 Apache 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 261
1956 3800 dually flat bed/dump with 235
1957 3600 flat bed, 350 engine, 700R4, PS, disc brakes, 14 bolt rear with 4.11 gears

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