Stiff shifts

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Jul 9, 2006 | 09:57 PM

beeker

Thread Starter

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Joined: Jul 2006

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Stiff shifts

I have a 1970 f100 302 4 speed.
The shifter is very hard to manouver, hard to find gears.
Is there an aftermarket shifter available or do i need to upgrade the transmission
to get better responce.
I am trying to keep the appearance of the truck stock but would like to upgrade the componenets to give the truck a better feel.
Any advice or help would be greatly appreciated.....Beeker

Jul 10, 2006 | 05:29 AM

jowilker

Fleet Owner

Joined: Jun 1999

Posts: 24,552

Likes: 74

From: Creedmoor, North Carolina

beeker, Welcome to

and the 67-72 forum.

Does your clutch seem to be disengaging properly?

John

Jul 10, 2006 | 10:14 AM

beeker

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Hi there, well I just got the truck so i dont know all the quirks yet.

there does seem to be a slight chatter when i down shift not quite as smooth as
i think it should be. I have been driving newer trucks for the last 20 years, so i really am not sure what i should be feeling in the old beast. thanks for your time
Colin

Jul 10, 2006 | 05:32 PM

Ford_Six

Hotshot

Joined: Oct 2002

Posts: 18,488

Likes: 22

From: The Big, Oregon

Those old four speeds have a really long throw, there's not much you can do about that. The tranny should be filled with 50wt motor oil also, if it has gear oil in it, that will make it shift harder.

Jul 10, 2006 | 08:49 PM

"Beemer Nut"

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Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,658

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From: "Islander"

If you cut down the length of the shift levers on the trans (cut a section out) then reweld for a shorter shift pattern, oil stone and polish all internal parts of the transmission, set up all synchro clearances on the below the tight side of spec, run spherical ball end linkage with a tight rebushed shifter. When everythings set up correctly with a clean releasing clutch you should have a smooth fast shifting box that's clean and positive as newer boxes. Try different brands of gear oil, you'll feel a difference.
All the above applies to equipment that is in good condition not a loose high mileage beater transmission.
.....=o&o>.....

Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Jul 10, 2006 at 09:05 PM.

Jul 11, 2006 | 08:31 AM

beeker

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thanks 4 your time

Jul 11, 2006 | 08:39 AM

390fe

Fleet Mechanic

Joined: Jul 1999

Posts: 1,360

Likes: 1

From: Iowa

Keep in mind first and reverse gears are not synchronized. The proper gear oil is important to proper shifting. Byond that, your transmission could need new synchronizers installed.

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Jul 11, 2006 | 09:02 AM

"Beemer Nut"

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Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,658

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From: "Islander"

I'm thinking you have a NP 435 or T-18 box, forget about the external shift linkage posted above. Make sure the aluminum shifter top, fork pads, input shaft and synchro clearances are set correctly and in good condition. Worn or missing fork pads will cause crappy shifting as well the above worn out parts. If you have the newer type of shifter with O rings on the end for noise and vibration reduction those levers cause more trouble than they cure. Remove the O rings, clean then epoxy the assembly solid. If you live in a area that get cold think about different thinner oils in the box as they become beasts to shift with those large gears. Buy all new with the clutch, pilot bushing included as reman crap is loose crap and will cause chatter.
.....=o&o>.....

Last edited by "Beemer Nut"; Jul 11, 2006 at 09:06 AM.