The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Transmission gear shift lever removal

I am pulling the 216 engine & 4 speed trans from my 48 chevy P/U this weekend. I will be swapping it with a 1954 235 that also has the factory 4 speed trans. The 1948 chevy truck manual references a K-353 gearshift remover for this task. Can this tool be rented or does someone have a suggestion on what can be used instead to disengage the lugs on the retainer? Down the road when I can afford to I would like to put a T-5 trans but will have to putt around for the time being.
Thanks

Push straight down on the lever and twist/rotate left 90 degrees. It will pop out, like magic.

If that does not work, clamp a vise-grip or slip-joint where the tool is placed in the illustration , rotate as described in the manual.

Just pretend you're taking a tail light bulb out of the socket, same principle, just a bit tougher. I have done it bare handed many times.

I use a pipe wrench with the open part placed like the tool and using downward pressure. I found the rotation needed is about 20 degrees.

Wow, that simple huh? Thanks as I was really sweating this task.
I am so thankful for the advice.

I was also worried about this, until I just tried it.

When I started on the "project" a 53 3/4 ton GMC I had a heck of a time getting the shifter out of the trans.What I had to do was spray the retainer with some WD40 and tap it down with a plastic hammer,it was packed with sand that had gotten hard from setting for ten years.Once it popped up and down on the spring I just pushed it down and gave it a twist and it came right out.


Pete

Yes I too went to auto zone and napa to see about purchasing the tool but I did mine by accident. It was done with a large channel lock pliers. I just strattled the gear shift lever with the grip handles of the channel lock pliers and i was joking with a friend I pushed down and then i turned it and it poped up.

good luck