The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Any suggestions on stick shaft modification?

So the engine (v8) and transmission are not stock, nor am i sure what they are out of, etc. But the location of the manual shifter coming thru the floor is extremely (almost dangerously) close to the pedals. The top of the shifter is literally under my leg in first gear! You should be able to see in the interior picture that there is a slight bend in the shaft. What i was wondering is if i took a 3" or 4" piece of aluminum, steel, square bar, etc and mounted it directly to the transmission in the current place of the shifter and turn the shifter shaft 90 degrees so the bend is going towards the passenger and mount it to the bar, if this would work. I know it's kind of a "band-aid" of a fix, but is there anything else i could do??

My apologies also for any incorrect terminology! Thanks guys!

It looks like you've got a Mr. Gasket #7667 pickup shifter. (Link) If so, the shift lever bolts on and you can make one out of some steel rod to fit your cab and seat. Here's a link to the install instructions. Another option is Patrick Dykes ((520) 836-1117) shifter for the Saginaw 4 speed. It enters the cab at the same location as the factory SM-420 trans stick does. You could use it with a 3-speed by locking out the reverse lever.

regards,
Leon

Do you have a 3spd or 4spd? With the V8 conversion, and the engine in the rearward position the shifter will exit just in front of the seat. Yours appears to have the engine forward allowing the shifter to exit midway of the transmission cover panel. Your idea of fabricating the shifter/stick will work, but it might make the shifter more sloppy. I just went thru this with a "cheap" 4spd shifter. I purchased a used "namebrand" shifter and it eliminated all the slop and long throws.

I'm not sure if it's a mr shifter, but looks like it is. It's a 3-speed v8 though.so getting one of these used name brand shifters you mention, will solve my problem of the shifter being in the way...? Right now it's an "H" configuration on shifting, would these make it linear? How easy/difficult is this swap out? Thanks

Had one like that on my 56 and 57 with 3 spd. All I did was heat and bend the shifter rod itself and bend it out to right a little. Worked back then, 25 years ago, should work now.

Yes LarryW I did the same thing on a 54 Ford too.
You really do not need much heat on the shift Rod just a little heat and some constent pressure. Then take some polish after it cools down and it will shine back up if it is chrome. You might also make some bender bars and bend it cold.
62Blue
Don

shouldn't be much of a chore to clamp it in a vice, heat it and bend it. That's what I did on my first 59 gmc pickup. You might want to use a towel or oven mitt after you heat it.

Roughly wear did you guys bend it at? Anyone have a picture? And/or an installed picture?

Try this, upover up bracket, then just bolt your shifter to it via two holes.

The entire shifter bracket is home-made (sure looks it)and has been working well for several years. Shifter is in the middle of the floor.