The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Clutch Fork & Shift Rod

I am having some problems with the shift linkage on my ’50 3100. I went back thru and adjusted the linkage, box and shifter. Now for the next 2 problems:

1. The shift rod is hitting the clutch fork and will not allow it to shift into gear. The clutch pedal is adjusted correctly for free play but there is not enough clearance for the shift rod. Do I just need to bend the shift rod to give me the clearance or is there something else I need to do?

2. I dropped a ’56 235 in place of the 216 and the shift rod is brushing the manifold. I’ve carefully ground a bit off the linkage & manifold but would feel better with more clearance. What have others done when encountering this problem?

Thanks.

What transmission are you using?

I'm running the original stock 3-speed tranny that came in the truck. The fork is hitting the 1st & reverse shift rod.

Is it possible in reassembly that the rods got placed on the wrong transmission shift arms? One rod is bent more than the other in stock design for clearance.

An update to this problem.

Turns out that I had the shift rod for 1st & reverse upside down at the box. This solved the clearance problem with the manifold. However, the fork is still hitting the rod although it's much better than before it might be contributing to the next issue.

The problem I'm having now is the shift linkage keeps locking up. I've gone thru the set up procedure a dozen times: Place everything in neutral position, make sure that the column shift is angled correctly (neutral), check box position and action and set the rods and make sure the shifter in the cab flows between all gears. Problem is that it works fine for a few shifts then locks up. The linkage hangs up and I'm stuck. The 1st & reverse rod does not get entirely into the neutral position and stops a little low. Then everything hangs up as the upper and lower are not aligned. Here is a pic.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t72/jss1956/DSCN1569.jpg

Yes, I know 2nd & 3rd is upside down, just trying something different. Anyone else have this issue?

Thanks.