Hi all, the truck is looking great and will post pictures soon. Big problem!!!
We are giving my Father in-law the truck on the 25th and we just found that we can not shift into 2nd and 3rd.
We can shift into reverse and into first just fine but not 2nd or 3rd.
I see when you shift from reverse and into first the linkage moves just fine and when you move the shifter for 2nd and 3rd, it looks like the levors move down the shaft but I am not shure if they have to separate or stay together. Any one have any ideas for me on how the shifter works?
Any information will be a huge help.
Thanks all,
Mike

 

Read up on the linkage and how it works here:

http://www.flatheadv8.org/columnshift.pdf

 

That's good stuff, Ross! I just printed that off and added it to my 'book of knowledge'.

Mike,
After you read Ross' tutorial and learn how the linkage is supposed to work, if you can't tell what the problem is still, try taking the 2-3 linkage off from the transmission and see if the shifter works then. That way you'll know if it's a shifter problem or a transmission problem. Make sure you're actually getting the trans in neutral when you put the shifter in neutral and it's not hanging up somewhere in the R-1 linkage. If you're not getting neutral in the R-1 linkage, the 2-3 shift won't work. And be glad it won't. ;-) The last thing you want to do is jam the trans into two gears at once.

 

Thank you all for the information.
I think the spring are shot that they mention in the link that you sent me.
I tried to find them but no one has them.
Does anyone have any ideas? Anyone have a mechanism that is rebuilt that I can buy?
Starting to stress out.
thanks,
Mike

 

Which springs? there is a spring at the top of the shifter tube; there are two wave-washer type springs down in the lower column. I can't believe those being shot would affect shifting dramatically.

 

I was thinking the wave washers.
I am being told now that both levers are moving at the same time and only one should be moving. Almost like the R/1 lever is conected to the 2/3 lever and it will only find R/1. Do the wave washers separate the the R/1 and 2/3 levers when shifting?
Thanks,

 

You probably need to take the mechanism apart at the bottom of the column, like Ross did, and clean are relube everything. It could just be all gummed up with 60 years of gunk. It's as good a place to start as any.

 

The pin in the shaft may have broken in two, and be jammed in one or the other. The wave washers are not between the two levers, they act to keep the two close together.