The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 4 speed shift handle removal 51 chevy1300

do you really need the special GM tool #K-353 gear shift removal tool to take off the shift lever to get the tranny out of a 51 1300 chevy pickup?

just checking to see if e-mail works in this forum

I believe you can use a couple of flat blade screw drivers to duplicate the original tool. If you have a shop manual it should outline the proceedure for removal.

I've not been able to get the lever out, I've tried on 2 different transmission. Even with the lever on it is not difficult to either drop it under the truck on a jack or use a cherry picker(preferred) to pull it out of the cab.

Two screwdrivers will work, as well as a couple of cresant wrenches, or open end wrenches, or pretty much anything for that matter. The process is really pretty simple--push down and turn counterclockwise, about 45 degrees, and it comes right up. The push and turn routine isn't always real easy. I have to work at mine for a few minutes before it comes.

I just use a channel lock type pliers, put it on the sheet metal ball on the shifter, press the ball down and rotate the ball couterclockwise a small bit. The ball should then be unlocked and you should be able to pull the shifter up and out.

Make sure the trasmission is in neutral before you do this as it will make the reinstallation much easier.

I used a monkey wrench turned on it's side to do the job. It was really simple. Where I got stuck was trying to get it to turn a lot. It only turns a tiny bit and it is unlocked. Some people use a heavy rag to do the job.

Are you talkin' 'bout an SM420? If so... without any tool aside from your gloved hand push the 'cap' down and rotate (clockwise, I think). It should only take about a quarter of a turn.

Make sure that you clean around the lever neck so that no debris falls down into the tranny.

Use a 10 inch long piece of 1-1/2" ABS pipe. Just press it down on the collar and give it a quarter turn. Easy to hold onto and it has worked on every SM420 I have pulled the shifter out of.

afu45 the channel lock tip worked fine to get the 4 speed shifter out, took about 5 seconds.
thanks!!

mj, glad it worked for you. Everyone seems to have a different method to accomplish the same task. Whatever works for you is good!!