The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 1965 C10 Transmission

Looking for some ideas regarding a 3 speed column shifter. When cold it is very dificult to move in the netural position. Pulling in on the shifter it seems like it is binding. Once truck is driven a mile or so it all seems to operate freely. Shifting from 1st to 2nd you must be very careful that the shifter drops forward before pushing into 2nd geat. Today it is 50 degrees and I had trouble pulling it into nutural before going into reverse. Sometimes the linkage gets jamed and must be tinkered with under the hood. Any suggestions?

Take apart and clean and lubricate all moving parts in the column.

i had a 65' years ago that came with all the parts to rebuild the column. that was the reason they parked it and i was able to buy it.had to crawl under it put it in 2nd gear drive it home that way and upon my arrival home proceeded to tear the thing out and apart. what a pain in the [censored]! i really wish i would have had a digital camera back then but after 2 weeks of messing with it i achieved success. if you can locate a parts column before you start do it and be ready to fab some new parts because it sounds like some parts are worn out. good luck!

Sounds like some good advice; I will look for a spare column before traring down the one I have. Thanks..

Mine was the same way, but considering it had been sitting in the field for 21 years, and was full of mouse turds, mud dauber nests, pecan shells,bird crap, and plenty of red Oklahoma farm dirt, the fact that it would move at all was amazing. I steamed it off at the house here when I started the rebuild, and after about a half can of good quality penetrating oil, and some gentle persuasion, and the other half can of oil, it now shifts smoother than runny baby dung going down a greased glass funnel. Ain't really much there to wear out, just needs some TLC. Good luck.
DJ

Had a 71, the previos owner pulled the colum apart and greased it,wouldn't shift at all in cold weather, well I pulled it and cleaned,used graphite powder when reassembling.Shifted like a dream after that.....