Hello,

I have a 76 F150 with a 3 speed on the column. I recently finished rebuilding the truck and drove it from Ohio to Virginia. I am having a problem with shifting where occasionally I can't get second gear. It is temporarily fixed by turning the truck off and putting the shifter in neutral, then moving the linkages between 2-3 and back into neutral but after driving for a while it happens again. It is not related to adjustment of the linkage on the transmission end as far as I can tell, because when trying to shift into second, I can't actually move the shifter up. Essentially the "H" pattern acts like "h." Some possibly related info is that the truck has a 300 i6, but I did a frame swap to a truck that had a 302 and had to fabricate my own perches for the motor mounts. I am not entirely sure the engine sits exactly where it did, but it is very close. As well, there seems to be an unexplained vibration of the clutch pedal (up and down) when coasting in gear. I rebuild the column with new parts (minus the shift tube) and it appeared to be working well for months until this drive. Any advice or thoughts would be appreciated.

Lou

 

There's a lot of purists that enjoy the 3 speed on column for it's uniqueness. And a lot of memories floating around to when we learnt how to drive on a 3 speed (such as myself). So I'm sure you will get a different answer. But I suggest install a floor conversion shifter. And be done! LOL

I put maybe 10k on a column shifter, totally rebuilt it and then had same issues just weeks later. It would only stick in 2'nd at busy intersection redlights with truck pointed uphill. Actually what caused it was rushing the "H" shift instead of allowing it to shift itself. Engage parking brake, hop out and grab claw hammer, pop hood and pull short linkage up, shut hood and ride on. Chevys were the same issue.
I installed a Holley floor shifter and put around 200k more with just minor adjusting a couple of times with a couple of wrenches. BUT!!! When I did mine over 20 years ago the kits were like $60. I got reminded recently how the kits have gone up to like $300 now when I put a 3 speed up for sale for very cheap. It still wasn't worth it if it was free considering the shifter price. TOTALLY outrageous considering how simple they are for a good fabricator to make his own.

I do recommend a simple trick if you decide to keep the column shift is to put a hose clamp on the stub on the side of the column that houses the shifter. It's the same as a heater hose clamp. Every 3 speed truck I parted with one had a perfect shifting column. Ones without was wallowed out or cracked there.

 

At the bottom of the steering column underneath the hood are the two manual control selector levers that the shift rods from the trans attach to.

In each lever is a nylon bushing. The bushings crack apart and/or disintegrate, the shift lever binds up between 1st & 2nd gear.

2) EOSZ-7341-B (replaced C3AZ-7341-A; C7SZ-7341-D & D5AZ-7541-C) .. Selector Lever Bushing / Available from Ford.

1968/72 F100/350 with A/T (1); 1973/91 F100/250 with 3 M/T (2) & A/T (1); Misc. 1963/80's FoMoCo Passenger Cars.

 

gittinwidit,

Thank you for the reply. I had thought about a conversion. I had also thought of a ZF-5 swap. Partly I ran out of time since I had to move for work, but I also did get caught up in the nostalgia. This was my first truck. I remember the bad stuff about a column shifter much better now than I did when I made that decision lol. But once I can bring my other truck down here, this one will mostly just get driven on nice days and not very far so I can live with the column shifter for now. If we are thinking of the same spot on the column, I did have a crack there that I had to weld. I haven't pulled it apart to look but I believe it is still holding.

NumberDummy,

Thank you for the information. I looked at the bushings and they do have some play (mostly R-1). I am planning to replace them soon. If I understand correctly, the play means the selector lever does not pull the shift rod fully back to neutral, so this will interfere with the other rod when I cross the pattern to shift?

Again, thanks guys for the help.

Lou

 

I had a similar issue with mine, but it wouldn't go into 1st and reverse. I ended up replacing all bushings, and retainers, along with new shift levers and a new shift tube. What I ended up finding was that the top of the "notch" and the end of the shift tube needed a light filing. It was catching the notch cut out in the 1st and reverse shift lever. Based on your description I would think it might be an issue with the transmission itself. I however am not an expert by any means.

Don't get rid of the 3 on the tree... and cheesy and unreliable as it is, there aren't many out there any more, and it would be a shame to see another one converted over.