The Stovebolt Site Forums The Parking Lot '60-'66 Trucks Three on the tree linkage?

Hi folks, I'm new here, just bought my first C10, a 1962 step side, short wheelbase with a 235 and three on the tree. While driving it around, it would pop out of gear especially in 2nd and 3rd. I looked underneath and the linkage bushings at the trans were shot. I looked a lot of places and finally found an article that said the bushings were not available, so I made my own, I guess like a lot of others. Well, once I took it all apart I had to repaint all the parts, and well, you guessed it I can't figure out what bar goes where. There is a long bar with a kink in it and a short bar. Can anyone tell me which one goes where? Thanks a bunch, hope it's not too dumb a question.

Larry,
I'm not sure, but I think the linkage for that transmission is the same as my 66. I will post some photos later today if you don't get it answered before then.

EDIT:

OK, here are some photos. I'm assuming your linkage is the same as my 65 and 66 trucks.

Linkage Rods

Rod A mounts on the rear position of the transmission and the front position of the steering column.

In the truck

This is a closeup of the column linkage.

column linkage

Rod B crosses over top of rod A from front to rear.

orientation out of truck


Jay

Wow, Lugnutz, thanks for the pictures. I think your linkage is slightly different, but I can see the orientation from your photos and tell I have it wrong ("front part of the column, rear part of the transmission"). So I will have to flip things around and see if that works. Thanks!

Still fussing with the transmission linkage. Lugnuts the pictures were great, but I think maybe the linkage is different in the 62, but not 100% sure. In you pictures, you show the linkage A connecting from the front of the column (1st and Reverse) to the transmission arm furthest from the engine (toward the back of the truck) and linkage B from the rear position on the column (2nd & 3rd gear) to the transmission arm closest to the engine. Do I have the gear placements identified correctly? 1st & reverse arm on the trans toward the back of the truck and 2nd & 3rd arm closer to the engine?

I feel like such an idiot here, so I apologize. Obviously I should have taken one off, repaired the bushing - put it back on & then taken the other off. I will be more careful in the future. I know it is impossible but the linkage arms just seem to short.

I actually don't know which rod operates which gears. The straight A rod crosses under the more curved "B" rod. The A rod connects to the rear of the tranny. At least it does on mine.

yes, 1st and reverse toward the trans rear, 2nd & 3rd toward the front

Bill

YEA! Finally got it. The problem was that I expected a greater range of motion than what actually occurs. I was moving the column portion and it moves a great deal more than is actually needed to shift the gears. So after your help, I finally have new bushings in both transmission connections and a freshly painted linkage. Thanks again for the help. I will definitely try to ask more intelligent questions in the future.

HEY!!!!!! After all that, don't we at least get to see a picture?

Well, here she is. I uploaded some pictures to Photobucket, so hope I can make this work.
First link is a picture of my stable, from left to right, Bella, Donna, Selina, and Evolyn.
http://tivohd272.photobucket.com/albums/jj200/evolyn80/DSCN3296.jpg?t=1367775415
These are pictures of the 1962 C10 when I first got her home. The leaky engine turned out to be mostly lose bolts.
http://pbr272.photobucket.com/albums/jj200/evolyn80/bellaside.jpg?t=1367775199
http://pbr272.photobucket.com/albums/jj200/evolyn80/bellaengine1.jpg?t=1367775198

Nice looking truck!

Great looking '62.
Especially like it because it retains the old stovebolt.

I sent you a PM.

Same to you, I really like the color of your truck. I notice you have some oft he same rust issues I do behind the grill. I just pulled mine this evening to repaint the cross support and radiator. Whoever painted the truck got over spray behind the grill so the radiator and radiator support were streaked with red and white. I really, really wanted to do more with the rust, but keep reminding myself this is supposed to be a driver, at least for now. So, some touch ups and then putting it back together.

Larry,
Where are you in SC?

Larry, I love the stance of your truck. Do you know much it has been lowered, and by what means? I'm going to look at a '64 on Thursday, and if I am able to buy it, would love to get it looking like yours. It's also a six and three speed.

thanks,

Tim

It has what looks like 4" lowering blocks in the rear and the torsion bars are turned down in the front. I think you'll find the 64 has coil springs in the front.

Thanks. Yeah, the '64 ought to be coil springs, so would probably be looking at lowering spindles to do it right. Going to see the truck tomorrow. It's a lady's late husband, and appears it has been well cared for.

Okay folks, I got the truck back out for a road test after getting the shift linkage & bushings fixed. It is better in that it no longer pops out of 2nd gear, but it is still popping out of 3rd. Not as often as before I replaced the bushings when it would pop out under load, deceleration, just about anytime. Now it only seems to pop out of 3rd under load. I adjusted the linkage all the way to the end of the shift rod and it is still popping out. I was wondering if I can pull the lever on the transmission and relocate it a little to give me more push toward 3rd gear? Another maybe, although I'm not sure is to twist the column to give it more throw, the part where the shift arms come out of the column. Any ideas would greatly be appreciated.

Larry

Well, turns out you can't really adjust the shift arms on the transmission forward and back like I'd hoped. Beside the bolt at the top to hold it together, the little splines are only on the bottom of the arm so you can't really change it's orientation. Didn't matter anyway as I was able to determine the arm was all the way back into 3rd gear. Best I can figure, it must be something worn in the transmission, maybe the shift fork.

Larry,
I found a big back window 62 parts truck down here in Columbia. I can send you pics. Send me your email in a PM. He also has a 65 SWB small window fleet and a 66 BBW short fleet too. All are very rough but would make good parts trucks depending on what you needed.
Jay

Thought I'd throw this out there for information purposes. Lugnutsz and I did some measurements and it does look like the rear control arms on his 65 and my 62 are the same. The only real difference I've been able to find is the emergency brake bracket is a little different.
As far as transmissions go, it looks like the 65 has a shorter tailshaft. The case on the 65 Saginaw measures 7 and 1/16" front to back. The tailshaft is 9 and 5/16" when measured across the top at a slight angle from the rear seal to the case. On my 62 it is 14 1/2" from the rear of the transmission case to the rear seal on the tailshaft.
I've got an email into driveline.com's tech support to see what they can come up with as far as why mine is popping out of 3rd gear and if I can use the 65 by swapping tailshafts. I know it is a little more than that, but you get the idea. I'll let everyone know what they say.
I ordered a pan gasket & rear main seal for the 235. I found the tech article on doing this, just wanted to check, this can be done with the engine in the truck, right? I believe the answer is yes (hope, hope) just want to be sure.