Hello from Germany,

I have restored a 1955 F100 and now I have got the big problem that it does not shift from time to time.
My truck has got a 302cui engine and a 3 gear manual transmission (I guess from a 1969 or younger F100). The rubber bushings of the manual control selector levers are replaced so they cannot be the problem.
Anyway I can usually shift without problems from R to 1st or 2nd to 3rd but from 1st to 2nd and vice versa is sometimes a big problem. After a few tries it works but then all of a sudden it again does not work.
I have found out that in trucks from 1968+ the shift collar might be broken. Is it possible that this might be broken in my 1955 stock steering column as well? Or does my F100 not have a part like this?
I you have any other ideas what might not work or be broken then please tell me because riding my truck is not that much fun at the moment.

Thank you so far!
Andy

 

Does it feel like you can't get out of 1st? Or does it come out of 1st, but you can't get into the gate for 2-3?

Either way, it's likely an adjustment to the lengths of the shifter levers. It could also be the selector pin at the bottom of the steering column is worn and sloppy, and hanging up. See this article: http://www.flatheadv8.org/columnshift.pdf

 

Yes, it feels like I can't get out of the 1st. And it is not just a feeling because I don't get out. So when I can't shift into 2nd I am always caught in the 1st gear (even no way to go into R). And when I tried it in my garage I had the same problem I guess, when I wanted to go from the 2nd to the 1st (but this is not for sure since I was not driving). Then I was caught in the 2nd gear (even no chance to go into 3rd).
So if it is a problem of the length do I have to shorten the distance between the levers and the gear box or do I have to make it longer?

I am pretty sure that my selector pin is worn out because shifting is very sloppy. I think I will have a closer look at it.
At the beginning of the article it says "column shift lever". Is that the "stick" next to the steering wheel for shifting? So if I remove it then I will get the shift column off the steering column? I have always thought that the shift column is somehow connected inside what is below the steering wheel.

Thank you a lot so far!
Andy

 

What year steering column is in your truck? Stock 55 columns have the shift rod visible above the steering column. Starting in the early 60s Ford moved the shifting parts inside the steering column.

 

It is a 55. The shift rod is above the steering column.

 

See if you can move the trans smoothly into each gear from under the truck by hand, with the linkages disconnected. To get into 1st and Rev, you may need to rock the truck a little since they are not synchro'd.

 

Disregard post.

 

There's no shaft collar on F100/350's until 1961. The 3 speed M/T collar is the same 1961/77, but your truck doesn't have it.