Transmission / Overdrive: Column Shift 3sp

[rew]

Hooked up my shift levers rods from steering column to transmission shifters and could not shift gears. Disconnected levers rods and column shift just goes up and down. Question.. should I be able to go through the shift pattern on my column shift without everything hooked up? I need help with this.. totally frustrated.. the manual says put column shift in neutral with transmission in neutral but not even sure if column shift is working?? HELP

Thanks....

[TWChamp]

Since the column doesn't have detents you will have to find center of the shift lever monement and shift the lever in a strict H pattern. With the levers connected you can feel the tranny detents and adjust the rods to match the center of the column shift. I've never had to adjust my Studebakers, but back in high school I had to adjust a couple Chevrolets, and they had a hole in the column box that you could stick a small rod in to line up the centers for the column levers.

[52-fan]

I don't know what model you are working on. On my 52 I had to remove a grease fitting on the lower column and insert an allen wrench to hold the shift arms in neutral. After that it is just a matter of adjusting the lower end to fit the transmission levers when they are in the neutral position. If your bushings are good and the proper pins in place the trans should shift well. When I got my car, it had one pin that was way too long and would interfere with the shifting.

[Tom Bredehoft]

My '53 column shift has always given me problems. If I force shift between first and second, occasionally it will not come out of first before it tries to go into Second. It won't come out if first in this condition. I've taken to carrying a 1/2" box end wrench behind the driver's seat, I stop the car on level ground, shut it off, open the hood, and using the 1/2" wrench, pull up on the 1st/2nd shift lever (in front of the firewall, beside the steering column.) Sometimes I have to rock the car a little.

I's been suggested that I shorten up on the 1st/2nd linkage at the transmission, but I haven't gotten around to It could be that You can't shift out of first. Mace certain that both shift levers on the transmission are pointing down (in neutral).

[swvalcon]

The old column shifter's where hard to adjust right. If they where a little worn and you tried to speed shift one you could count on it locking up.

[jrlemke]

Shift gently and when you get to neutral, pull lever back and forward before trying for 2nd. Usually works for me on my "61 Hawk. Has around 60K original miles.

[52-fan]

If it is truly worn out it will have to be repaired. Many are just out of adjustment or have worn bushings. If there is too much slop, it will never shift right.

[StudeRich]

The old column shifter's where hard to adjust right. If they where a little worn and you tried to speed shift one you could count on it locking up.

That happened on GM Cars, Chevy's especially a LOT, Studes. only do that when the two rods and levers are not synchronized or there is significant wear on the components, when they are right it never happens.

[57pack]

We had a 1962 Impala with 283 and 3 on the tree.
Shifter Totally worn out by 1969 and 60.000 k.
Put a Hurst floor shift in and no more problems.

[TWChamp]

I agree with what Rich just said. I had two Chevrolets that had shifting problems with the column shift, but never had a problem with my Studebakers. Seems the Chevrolet had a bit more slop, but lining up the levers and not trying to slide shift helps a lot. Even a worn out shift can usually be done by using a strict H pattern, rather than sliding the shift lever from first to second.

[JoeHall]

I agree with what Rich just said. I had two Chevrolets that had shifting problems with the column shift, but never had a problem with my Studebakers. Seems the Chevrolet had a bit more slop, but lining up the levers and not trying to slide shift helps a lot. Even a worn out shift can usually be done by using a strict H pattern, rather than sliding the shift lever from first to second.

Strict H pattern for 1-2 shift has always worked well in my Studes with 3 on the tree. Trying to do a 1-2 slide shift on V8 Studes is only asking for trouble; sooner or later its gonna start doing weird things, e.g. hang up. Only Stude I can recall that was OK with 1-2 slide shift was a 1960 Lark VI, in which the little transmission shifted smooth as butter.

[Bish]

On my Lark, and on my friend's Jeepster, is a slot on top of the column through which a thin pin can be slid to hold the shifter in neutral to adjust it properly. If I remember correctly, I used a pop rivet or something similar. The manual outlines the procedure well.

Bish

[Son O Lark]

It's always been easier for me to have someone shift through the gears while I was underneath watching where it was hanging up and adjusting. Just my two cents.

[Mrs K Corbin]

While you're at it replace those stupid rubber tranny bushings on the shift arms at the tranny....
It'll save you some headache later.

[MammaPants]

While you're at it replace those stupid rubber tranny bushings on the shift arms at the tranny....
It'll save you some headache later.

I have a '59 Lark and I am working on this currently. My rods are disconnected and I have no rubber bushings. My shop manual is poorly organized and I was hoping to avoid reading a million pages of non essentials right now. Ha! I am new to all of this, is there a resource on finding the correct bushings? Also, is there documentation on which rod is which? They are both currently hanging loose and I'm sure I could do process of elimination to find which one reaches the appropriate other end, but my lovely assistant (dad) has put me in charge of the research and will assist during the action. I would like to be well prepared so I don't tick my assistant off during the live action. LOL.