The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 58 column shifter on a 53 3100 ?

Trying to hook up shifter and need some advice. I've got a 53 3100 with 62 261/3spd/OD. Got the engine and trans in OK as well as a 58 10 bolt rear. Now I'm trying to figure out the shifter issue. 62 bell housing does not have a provision for a bell crank so 53 column shift assembly I bought doesn't seem like it will work.

Another bolter has a 58 column shift assembly complete with the shift rods he is willing to sell. Will the 58 column shift assembly fit on my 53 3100 steering column?

If not will the 58 shift rods fit my 53 column shift and reach the 3 spd trans. OK.

Trans is a 4 bolt side plate with shift arms facing down. I'm guessing its the stock 62 3spd that came from the factory.

Thanks for any help,
Jerry
ps. tried a 3 spd floor shift and its shift rods won't clear the overdrive stuff hanging out so that is not much of an option.

Jerry,
If you have all the 53 parts that bolt to the column those should be fine. That includes the upper shaft with shift arm, the connector, and the shift box under the hood. The rods from the shift box to the transmission should be the same from 56 through 59 (2 rods) as they do not use the bellcrank like the 55 and earlier 6 cyl applications. The 57-59 upper shaft is 4" shorter than the earlier trucks because they use a shorter column and a deep dish steering wheel.
I hope this helps, Fred

Fred, Seems to me from what you write that what is critical between the 53 column shift assembly and the 56-59 assembly is that they both locate the shift box under the hood in the same place with respect to the transmission so that the rods from the 56-59 will work on the 53 assembly. Do I have that right? If so, it sounds like I could use the later rods on the 53 column shift assembly.
Jerry

Jerry,
That is the way I see it. You may have to bend them slightly as they may not clear everything as they would on a TF truck. From what you described you have the correct shift arms on the transmission so everything should hook up.
Fred

Fred,
Thanks a lot for your information. I'm trying a couple of different sources for those rods and will let you know if it works. I can't believe I'm the only guy who has put himself in this situation though maybe most keep their bell housing and transmission when changing engines and so it's not a problem for them. In my case I wanted the 3spd/OD that were with the engine more than the original 4 spd and the law of unintended consequences has caught up with me.......again. Jerry

Jerry,
When you get it all hooked up you will like the OD. It's the best kept secret for these old trucks.
Fred