Hi all,

Recently I was gifted a 1980 E150, with the 4.9L 300 Straight 6 engine and a 4sp OD manual transmission. Shockingly it runs surprisingly well for having sat around on my step-mother's horse property for several years. I'm slowly getting the engine back up to par, but I occasionally have a problem with the transmission linkage binding up, and have to crawl underneath and jiggle the rods to free it. Getting stuck in second gear while trying to navigate rush hour traffic is just no fun! Can anyone tell me what I can do or how I can stop this from happening so much? I'm by no means a mechanic, but I'm learning how to keep this old boat running, so if possible, reply in a 'mechanics for dummies' kind of way Thanks in advance guys!

 

first off congrats on finding a manual shift van. 2 cool in my books.


as for fixing, first of all get under it and lube up all your linkage pivot points. might need to go in through the dog house opening depending on space underneath. if you have a buddy handy and a good light, go through the gears not running and watch or have your buddy watch for loose parts/worn bushings. I'm guessing on the linkage bushings being same as the Fseries in the same vintage as they shared the same trans.


hope that helps, I've been a licenced truck/coach and automotive mechanic since 1992 so I do have a little mechanical experience. and I am, still learning.....................

 

Thanks for the tips, I was wondering if greasing something up would help...any suggestions as to what kind of lubrication to use? Personally I'd swap out the manual for an automatic in a heartbeat, but that's just me, several people have told me how much they like it tho.

 

I always use a product called "fluid film" here you can get it at the TSC store and sometimes at hardware stores and some home depot's. it clings really well after you spray it, and if somebody swallows some it won't kill you just give you the runs. its made from wool wax. I think it is even "food grade" comes in a spray can about same size as a rattle can paint.


it used to be dirt cheap but doubled in price when some marketing sh**head got involved and it still sells so................


if you decide to switch to auto, make sure you keep all the pedal assembly parts. could sell it here I bet. if you were close I would buy the parts up. always loved the idea of a diesel 5spd clubwagon!


I learned to drive on a 3spd standard on the column , and would always get stuck between 1st and second and have to coast through intersection then open the hood and knock it loose.


good luck, and don't use WD40 it will only dry up and stop working.

 

Alright, I'll avoid the WD40, and look for some fluid film. I read recently in another forum post about some lucky duck that got an even trade on an auto for his 4sp manual, labor included, I sure wouldn't turn down something like that!! Thanks again!

 

hey somebody really wanted those manual shift parts.


I've never actually seen a standard shift 75-91 Econoline other than in pics. wonder if they went to a hydraulic clutch in 84/85 like the Fseries did?

 

Wow I'd think it a safe assumption that someone on this forum would trade an auto for a manual, maybe even whole van for van.

 

Gosh I really wouldn't know, I was shocked to find out it was a manual when I picked it up. I know this one was one of the Canadian built models. It needs a LOT of work, rats were living in the dash and chewed up most of the wires and such for the climate controls, radio, and instrument cluster, and were basically living in the duct work, I've removed a LOT of horse pellets and nesting material from the heater core housing and blower fan and the dash in general and found several nests and skeletons while ripping out the old carpet that had been put on the walls and ceiling by the previous owner, and so far have had to replace the starter, solenoid, fuel pump, some heater hoses and power steering hoses just to get it somewhat roadworthy, still have to replace the shocks, side lights, tires, instrument panel, and god knows what else. Seems like once I get one thing taken care of it's time to fix something else, but I guess I can't complain too much since the thing was free to being with lol.

 

I'd definitely be open to a workable deal BruteFord, Southern Arizona here if anyone is interested.

 

Hell I would trade you even for the 76 E250 chateau I just got. maybe even do all the trailering if you were in Ontario.


I didn't know any econolines were Canadian built. but i'm fairly new to the Eseries. not new to Ford trucks though, thats in my blood.

 

Heh, I had no idea they built any up there either, but apparently they had a few factories. Ya, I'm afraid Ontario is a bit far ha! Here she is the day I picked her up...

 

RUG SROD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive: 1978/83 F100/150 & E100/150 & misc 1977/83 Passenger Cars.

E100/150's use a unique shift mechanism that is different than the F100/150's and cars.

If your Econoline was assembled in Canada, the 11th digit of the VIN will be: C = Oakville Ontario Canada Truck Assembly Plant.

Most Econolines have been assembled since day one in Lorain OH .. VIN assembly plant code: H

 

That's exactly the tranny I have NumberDummy, and it's always the 1st/2nd gear rod that sticks (7328 in the diagram). I've found some fluid film online, hopefully that will alleviate the sticking. I knew mine was from Canada because the door sticker is still on it, and lists it as a Canadian build. Kinda cool, I don't think I've ever owned a car built up north before =)

 

The manual transmission 75-91 Econolines are rare! I've owned a couple of them so far. I had a 78 E100 shorty van with a 351W/3spd w/OD ( 4spd ) . That thing was a blast to drive!! The second I had a couple years ago. It was a 88 E150 with an 300 EFI/ 5spd ( mazda ) . I bought it just for the manual transmission swap parts. It had the hydraulic clutch master. But it's a different setup then the trucks had. I posted some pics of it in my 89 E350 thread. https://www.ford-trucks.com/forums/1...ish-for-5.html

I'm going to to be swapping a NP435 4spd into my 89 E350 Clubwagon. I'm having to mix and match parts for the clutch set up. I'm using the pedals and clutch master out of the 5spd Econoline and the bellhousing and external slave cylinder, block plate, flywheel and clutch set out of a mid 80's early 90's truck.'











Jeremiah I've had a few of those transmissions. There are a lot of moving parts on those shifters/linkages. You might have to just tear it apart and inspect everything. I've seen the shift rods wear, bushings wear, I've even had shift arms on the transmission wear so they'd slip on the shafts. A little slop here and there can allow it to bind up when you go to shift.

 

Mind if I hijack a bit out of curiosity?

I'm not a van owner these days, I like things like diesels, manual tranny, and 4WD, but if I could get/build that in a van, wow. I truly had no idea manual versions existed, I'd assumed packaging issues prevented it.

Anyway, what are the doghouse vs. shifter issues like? In particular with a transmission like a NP435 or ZF where the shifter is centered. Also foot box, it must be tight in there with 3 pedals, would you say for example big work boots could be an issue?