I've got a 69 ford with an i6 and a 3 on the tree transmission. I thought second gear was going out but it turns out the linkages just won't allow me to shift fully into second coming out of first. But I can always downshift into second from third. Does anyone have any idea on how to fix this? I looked but all I could see was slack in the linkages. Any idea if that is the problem or a way to fix it?

 

Might be that you need to learn a little tech neek training.

Hold your hand palm up, reach around the shift arm while with a slight up lift pull it as close to the wheel as you can then pull it into 1st. When you are ready to shift into second hold your hand the same way and with a pull towards you lift it out of 1st and almost go into reverse. Let it drop fully towards the dash then lift it into 2nd, then 3rd.

This is splained a little maxxed out, but work on that until you get the hang of it.

You should see an immediate improvement.


John

 

I've been driving the truck for six months and it just developed this problem. I'll give her a try though.

 

I've been working on mine for the past 4 years off and on. It sometimes works, sometimes. Replaced everything replaceable and it's still not right. Factory adjustment procedure is ABSOLUTLEY WORTHLESS! 7 turns, really? more like 14 or 15. Adjust it where 1st doesn't grind, wont go into reverse. Won't go into second, too bad. If you adjust it where it goes into second, it won't go into 3rd. There's a reason they don't make 3 speed on column anymore. I'm looking for a long bed auto parts truck to swap trans, need a FE truck but all I can find are 302.

 

Don't disagree. The vinal bushings wore pretty quickly. Many times folk will go palm down and try to push the lever straight from 1st to 2nd like in a N pattern rather than lift and slide like the H pattern that it really is. Hey til you find a replacement or fix give my suggestion a try, won't cost you anything.

ericknight 73-76 truck would be good for C6 auto tranny, plus power disc brake & power steering donor.


John

 

But John, the OP's truck does not have nylon bushings since it's a 3 speed manual. Nylon bushings were introduced in 1968 F100/350's with A/T only, with 3 M/T in 1973.

Bottom of the steering column underneath the hood are the two manual control selector arms that the shaft rods from the trans attach to. In each lever is a rubber bushing and insulator.

The rubber bushings age crack/disintigrate, causing the shift lever to bind up between 1st & 2nd.

C5TZ-7343-A .. 3 M/T Selector Lever Bushing & Insulator Kit (kit does both levers) / 1965/72 F100/250 3 M/T / Obsolete

GREEN SALES CO. in Cincinnati OH has 15 = 800-543-4959.

CARPENTER NOS OBSOLETE PARTS in Concord NC has 944 = 800-476-9653.

OP lives in OK .. It's possible that Classic Auto Parts (formerly Ford Obsolete of OKC) will have this kit.