Hey there folks, I have a question that I have wanted to ask for a long time. Did any of the 40's Chevy trucks have vacuum shift? My 42 Deluxe Coupe will drive me crazy if I try to shift just mildly fast especially if the vacuum wipers are on. Just wondering if the old trucks had this mysterious GM non improvement and why? Doc.
Currently making 1954 3100 better than new and Genetics
The Chevy cars had the vacuum shift from about 1940 to 48. I dont believe they were ever put on trucks. It was not one of the better ideas. They used to sell a kit that would eliminate it. We have an old trans. from one laying around the shop.
George
They say money can't buy happiness. It can buy old Chevy trucks though. Same thing. 1972 Chevy c10 Cheyenne Super In the Gallery Forum
No trucks that I know of had the vacuum assisted shifter. There's a quick fix for that system, however. Get some type of light weight tune-up oil like Casite or Rislone, and locate the vent line that pulls air into the unit as it's being moved. Attach a short piece of vacuum hose toi the vent and let it suck up about 6 ounces of the fluid as you move the shifter through its range of motion. It will clean and lubricate the vacuum piston and speed things up noticeably. The same procedure works for vacuum wiper motors if you can find the air inlet and pull tune-up oil through it in into the intake manifold. As an added benefit, it cleans and lubes valve guides as it enters the combustion chambers, and the smoky fog from the exhaust it creates will chase mosquitoes away! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Thank you Jerry, I will do that, one of my vacuum wiper motors is just starting to cause problems. I know there is no rebuild kit for them so this is great. Years ago I stored one in a sealed can filled with Neats Foot oil cant wait to see what I have when I open it. Ed
Currently making 1954 3100 better than new and Genetics
Is this the vacuum assist? As you can see it has no vacuum lines coming to it. This is a 1950 3100 and it does lock up from time to time. Anyone know what it should look like?
No, that's the regular shifter box for a column shift pickup, and the angle of the lower arm tells me it's badly worn. The die cast housing has a habit of wearing out and letting the parts inside get sloppy. They weren't intended to last as long as they have, and sometimes I'm amazed at how well they've held up! Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
So I should be looking at getting some shims in there? From what I'm reading it appears there is no rebuild kit. I've attached a picture of what I thought were vacuum fittings, do you know what those are?
That's the backup light switch. There should be two wires connected to those bullet terminals your arrow is pointing toward. When the shift linkage goes into the reverse position the lever arm closes a set of contacts to turn the light on. Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln Cringe and wail in fear, Eloi- - - - -we Morlocks are on the hunt! There is nothing noble in being superior to your fellow man; true nobility is being superior to your former self. - Ernest Hemingway Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
Thank you Jerry. That makes sense, I have no backup lights. I put on the driver side brake light when I got it and added turn signals. Maybe I will add backup lights too? I will open up the shift box and see what I can see.
