The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Shifter

Hello:

As requested I searched the forum for information on my situation and found none to address my issue. Have a 1949 3100 panel truck: original engine, transmission was rebuilt and reinstalled. Transmission changes gears fine with linkage off. but when the linkage is installed it will not shift between 1st and reverse. Took cover off shifter mechanism cover to make sure the pawls align and they do. It seems the system is jammed, or out of adjustment so I referred to "Service Manual" and rechecked my clearances, they seem to be fine. The position of the swivel on the 1-3 linkage rod perhaps is the problem. Please your help on this.

Second, and with deep humility I say, I read the suggestion on checking the "Search" area and agree with your recommendation but it seems, sometimes, that the forum is perhaps more concerned with "boring questions" than helping people find the solution to their problems. Is the purpose of the Forum to provide "stimulating" question for you or answers for us? Please, I greatly appreciate you and your willingness to help and the opportunity this forum provides to find the answers needed, but life is full of redundant questions, that is people asking you what they do not know. Yes indeed it is encumbered on me to help myself as well, but after searching 6 pages of question with 50 entries per page, it gets discouraging. Thank you for listening, just a thought I wanted to express. A Merry and Blessed Christmas to all, the greatest gift of all came on Christmas Day, Jesus Christ, and His salvation. But as with every gift you must receive it to have it!

God Bless,

Dave B.

Not sure if smoe of the pics that I have in my webshots albums will help you or not. There are some pics in the tranny rebuild album as well as the engine rebuild album.

Thank you, I appreciate it, Merry Christmas. Hope to hear from others as well regarding this topic.

God Bless,

Dave B.

"As requested I searched the forum for information on my situation and found none to address my issue." Yeah Dave, sometimes we're all explorers here. This is a common problem with the 'one-armed bandit' column shifters as they have several adjustment points.

Your post lacks critical elements such as if the truck was running when you attempted the problematic shift, did you have a second party shift the pattern while you took note of the action of all shifting elements both under the hood and at the trans underneath the vehicle, rebuilt and reinstalled by who? did the party change the shifting arms, etc.

Second, and [color:#33FF33]with deep humility I say, I read the suggestion on checking the "Search" area and agree with your recommendation but it seems, sometimes, that the forum is perhaps more concerned with "boring questions" than helping people find the solution to their problems.[/color]

Wow dude, we're all here with differing abilities from the ultra experienced to those who try to get them running (and can) with a flat head screwdriver and a Crescent wrench. IMHO your post is devoid of even simple humility.

Is the purpose of the Forum to provide "stimulating" question for you or answers for us?

As above questions and answers range from the ridiculous to the sublime so you have decided that you will be the judge of what are "boring questions" and what is stimulating?

My advice is this... The population of whom you request the above information does this willingly ... as the person with the problem you must do your homework which means sifting through those of us that have had similar problems and by trial and error finding your own solution. You say the process is discouraging, perhaps this is not the most suitible hobby for you or indeed you can pay someone to fix the problem for you.

Good luck on solving your problem, but if the attitude case persists, you're probably on your own. There are several hundred years' worth of experience represented by the membership here, including some of us who have made our living keeping cars and trucks running for the past half-century or more.
Jerry

First, my apologies to all and I ask your forgiveness, I am a judge of no one. I believe all questions are relevant and important, because unlike you I don't have a great deal of experience and thus appeal to you, all of you, for help. You have a lot more know how than I do!

Critical details, the truck is nearing the last 1/3 or a complete restoration. The engine was rebuilt but has not been started. The engine, transmission and drive shaft were all installed, connected and checked, they appear to be ok. 2 and 3 gear shift fine on the transmission, the pawl inside shifter linkage housing is aligned with the shifter on a horizontal plain. 1st and reverse shift ok with the linkage arm off, but binds when the arm is on. One member provided some pictures of his shifter and the problem may be that my swivel adjustment are mounted 180, or opposite from his, perhaps that is the problem. It would put the linkage arm at a slightly different angle and perhaps cause it to bind. I hope to know this later on today. Does any one have any other suggestions that may help answer this issue. Again, thank you for your help and criticisms, they are all good.



God bless,


Dave

I was hoping someone might have some further info, I provided the information requested but no response. Thanks anyways

God bless,

Dave B

I would suggest that you wait until the engine is running before becoming concerned with the function of the shifter.

As a 'bench test', I would recommend placing the rear end of the vehicle on sturdy jackstands, allowing the rear wheels to turn freely. With the engine NOT running, have a helper shift the transmission through the gears while you observe the shift levers. If you have difficulty with the first/reverse shift, try shifting the gears while rotating the rear wheels. Keep in mind you may have to keep one rear wheel from turning while turning the other rear wheel. This insures that the rear wheel is turning the driveshaft, which will turn the transmission gears and hopefully allow first and reverse to mesh correctly. It may also he helpful to have your assistant hold down on the clutch pedal while attempting shifting as well.

If the transmission (I am assuming it is a 3 speed) was rebuilt, chances are that the internal components are a little tight and will remain so until the transmission sees some use. When the vehicle is completed and driveable, you may have to slightly 'grind the gears' to get into first or reverse until the transmission 'wears in' a little.

I hope this helps. I will monitor this post periodically, so if this procedure does not help, I have a few more tricks to try. Good luck!

Carl:

Thank you my freind, I will try as you suggested. I turned the adjuster linkage on the 1st/reverse around in he other direction and they seem to be working. I will jack it up and try your suggestions. Again, thank you.

God bless,

Dave B.