The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Shift Linkage--'56 Chevy

At some point, the '56 Chevy I just got had its gear shift moved to the floor. It's some kind of crude arrangement that I've never seen before. The owner said it was part of some "kit" that was popular at some time in the past. Anyway, I want to put the shift back up on the column. I'm going to the bone yard tomorrow to look for the linkage assembly, shift lever, rod, etc., and wanted to know if there are other possible donors besides a 56 Chevrolet. Seems to me it wouldn't have been a much different setup on a 55 or a 57. Maybe even some GMC's or other models had the same arrangement. There's a bunch of trucks from the 50s at the place where I'm going but I don't believe they have my particular model.

the 55 and 56 have a slightly longer rod down the column than the later years because the flat steering wheel had a slightly longer column, other parts all the same as 57-59, and some parts will be the same pre-55 and for the 60's ... I think Chev and GMC were the same

Bill

Thanks Bill. So the only thing I need to be really particular about is where I get the shifter rod that runs alongside the steering column? Sounds like all other parts of the linkage are interchangeable. I'm no good at just looking at an old vehicle and guessing the year, so is there a place on the body where that might be marked? I can get within a 3-4 year range but that's the best I can do.

yes, the main rod from the knuckle at the top to the joint piece near the firewall is the main difference, and you may find a bolter in the parts wanted here that could come up with that - the 55 -59 trucks you'll be most interested in will look near identical to your 56, other wise, check the gallery for a look at 54/55-1st and the 60-66, which may supply other parts .... the other important pieces will be the rods from the shift box under the hood to the trans itself, which may be particular to 56-59 [55 is unique and 60 may be different shape]

Bill

Hi,

Hope I'm not stepping on any toes here but I'm dealing with the same (I think) issue.

I have a '59 that I'm converting back to three on the tree. I bought a shifter, shift box and linkage. While attempting to install it I found that the rod that runs above the steering column is too long. More I think then could be explained by it being from a '55 or '56. It is so long in fact that with the shift box slid as far forward as it will go in the slot, the steering wheel and the turn signal thing will not go on. I'm guessing 4" too long.

I want to cut a section out of the middle and weld it back together but I don't really know how long it should be.

Or if someone has one that's too short, I'll trade..

-Randy

MrR - the longer rod [about 28-30"] on earlier trucks mates to a box with a shorter shaft on it, which might be your problem, if you have the correct 59 shift box .... might be easiest if you put the shift lever in place where the knuckle screws to the column to gauge length and just lop off the extra and re-notch as needed for the coupler .... pic here, the correct one is about 18", and note the difference in the knob and the lever shape at the knuckle

Bill

Bill,

I wondered if there might be a change in the shaft length on the box as well. I think that explains it for the most part except the knuckle and knob are `57 -> `59.

I guess many things get swapped around over the years.

Thanks again.
-Randy

i am putting my shift linkage back together, too. i have two upper shafts on my bench, one about 3/4"- 1" longer than the other. anyone know what the story is with that? I have a 56 column which I know is a little longer than the later years (57-59) and a bunch of random 57 parts lying around. i suspect that the shorter upper shaft might be a 57 part?