The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Short Throw 3 on the Tree

Is there any way to shorten up the throw on the three on the tree? Thanks

Well, I suppose that you could try drilling new holes for the shift rods on the "H" box arms just inboard of the present holes, but, I have a feeling that it would increase the effort involved in shifting.

I think that GM figured out the leverage needed for easy shifting and the levers on the "H" box and the transmission are the necessary length.

Seems like that would increase the throw. If you made the arms longer or moved the rods in on the trans. it would shorten it but like you say I think they are about right if you get everything in good shape.

Yep, you're right. We did this once on another, um, brand about 30 years ago and it was the levers on the transmission we modified.

It seems you could shorten the arms on the transmission and the steering wheel shaft slightly. When the truck in in third, my knee is interfering with the shifter when I go for the brakes. Right now, I shift to neutral, then brake. Not too cool under a fast stop...guess I could shorten up my right leg? :o )
r,
gm

Well, your last post changed the answer. You don't really want to shorten the throw, you want to move the position of the lever up.

I think you can adjust the shift rod length, both arms an equal amount, and move the neutral position of the H-box up. That should put every gear postion higher. You may or may not like the result.

If not, then you can modify the transmission levers to shorten the throw also. Try drilling another hole as close to the existing one as possible and moving the rod to the new hole. Nothing to lose as you can always move it back if it isn't to your liking.

The old time floor shift conversions almost always included shorter trans arms to make them 'short throw'.

KENC, Thaks, I'll take a look at the shifter arms. The truck also has power brakes so the pedal could be shortned as well.
r

Cbaymac,
If an effort to save you a amputation, you could always do this: Flip the 2nd/3rd arm on the transmission side cover upside down and bend the linkage to fit. Your three on the tree would still be there, but 3rd gear would be up, out of the way of your leg. Second gear would be where 3rd gear used to be. This is said half in jest..years ago we would "reverse the linkage" on our cars to be cool! This trick might fool a would be car thief too!

Stuart.

Cbaymac, Can you just bend the shift lever up a little until it clears your leg, but not so far that it interferes with something else? Justa thought.
Ralph

I would get an auto-matic

I had the same problem with my 3 speed and I'd discovered all the holes in the linkage I was using were elongated big time. So I tore all the linkage out of my truck and welded I believe they were 5/16" washers on each side of the levers and what a difference that was, shorter throws and a lot more solid.

Ol'55. Thanks. I'll take a look. There is a lot of slop. I may move the holes closer to the shaft a little as well.

http://mcpheter.com/Winner.jpg

on my 54 there is a place on the shaft that goes through the floor board that you can adjust that will firm it up and "tighten" things up so your knees won't hit the gearshift.

on my 54 there is a place on the shaft that goes through the floor board that you can adjust that will firm it up and "tighten" things up so your knees won't hit the gearshift.

On my '49 I shortened the shift lever by about half it's length,and greased and shimmed up all my linkage.I turned and finished a shift knob from a piece of 1-14" oak dowel.Problem solved,and it shifted so easy even my girlfriend could shift it.
Speed