'66 Elky 3 on the tree question

A common problem with GM column shifts since I can remember. The problem is the selector and the selector arms that are on the column just outside the firewall are worn excessively. They reach a point where no adjustment of any kind will cure the problem and the only thing you can do is a complete replacement of the parts involved which means yanking out the column and then trying to locate new parts, or if originality isn't an issue get a floor shift conversion for the transmission.

Some repop parts suppliers may offer the parts you need to repair it or you might have to dig around and find a decent used Chevelle column with the 3 speed parts intact. As a quick guess I think any Chevelle column for 64 through 67 would be the same.

The way I get it un-stuck is to shake the cogs on the steering column under the hood while the clutch is depressed.

The workaround is to avoid shifting first to third or vice versa and hit second each time, but I don't want to have to do that. Everything seems to move smoothly except the tab on the steering column between the two cams, if that makes any sense.

If anyone is familiar with this GM shifter, I'd appreciate the help.

BTW, the linkage on the bottom end is all free flowing.

Thanks

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 19:29:17 GMT, "Rufus T. Firefly" puked:

I hate to think that's the case. I have been looking on the net and in the catalogs, and no one seems to carry the goods. I really want to keep it the way it is for the novelty of it (plus, it'd make it harder to steal, hardly anyone knows how to drive 'em these days!).

I have a 4-speed sitting in my garage and was tempted, but for now I'll continue with the workaround unless there are any other suggestions...

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

Have you checked the bushings:

Also, have you adjusted the linkage as per the manual directions?

A little slop in the bushings goes a long way in causing problems.

If it does need a column rebuild, the parts that wear, can be welded up at the bottom of the shift arms sometimes, it;s where the shift lever detents that's a bitch!

I hope this kelps?

Refinish King

PS Don't toast it trying to fix this! LOL

On Thu, 5 Aug 2004 18:51:19 -0400, "Refinish King" puked:

If I get a chance, I'll post a picture showing where the problem is. If I could try to describe it again, there are two 'wheels' perpendicular to the steering column under the hood that connect to the linkage. What seems to hang up is the piece in between that separates the shift from one side of the "H" from the other.

I took some channel locks and squeezed the two 'wheels' closer together once, and I thought that may have helped, but now I'm not too sure...

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

. . ======== ======== '66 Elky 3 on the tree question Group: alt.autos.classic-trucks Date: Thu, Aug 5, 2004, 11:41am (CDT+5) From: snipped-for-privacy@cheese.net (lab~rat)

My '66 El Camino has a three on the tree shift, and there seems to be some slack in it. Specifically, If I were to move the shifter from first to third (down toward me to down away from me), the shifter hangs up, leaving me usually in second gear.

The way I get it un-stuck is to shake the cogs on the steering column under the hood while the clutch is depressed.

The workaround is to avoid shifting first to third or vice versa and hit second each time, but I don't want to have to do that. Everything seems to move smoothly except the tab on the steering column between the two cams, if that makes any sense.

If anyone is familiar with this GM shifter, I'd appreciate the help.

BTW, the linkage on the bottom end is all free flowing. Thanks

The dog on that center piece wears and the edges of the slots on the 2 selector arms wear and elongate, as Refinish King mentioned a good welder can build them back up and reshape them but it does involve removal and dismantling.

About the only way I found to continue driving when they are that bad is when you shift from first to second hold the handle back toward the wheel as if you were going into reverse as you lift it up. When you feel it at the neutral position then push it toward the dash and up into second. In otherwords you have to make deliberate square movements from first to second and back again, like you are 85 years old and have all day to go from one gear to the next. Not any fun but it usually won't hang up on you.

If I get a chance, I'll post a picture showing where the problem is. If I could try to describe it again, there are two 'wheels' perpendicular to the steering column under the hood that connect to the linkage. What seems to hang up is the piece in between that separates the shift from one side of the "H" from the other.

I took some channel locks and squeezed the two 'wheels' closer together once, and I thought that may have helped, but now I'm not too sure...

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

The man just gave you the answer:

To get a few more years out of it.

Refinish King

. .

. . Firefly, your advice is sound.

But.... He said he didn't have a prob as long as he went to 2nd gear position BEFORE going to 3rd.

The OP said he DOES NOT want to have to go to 2nd at all.......

he want's to shift 1-3.

go figure.

MarshMonster ~:~ =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D =3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D snipped-for-privacy@hknet.org (Rufus=A0T.=A0Firefly)

The dog on that center piece wears and the edges of the slots on the 2 selector arms wear and elongate, as Refinish King mentioned a good welder can build them back up and reshape them but it does involve removal and dismantling.

About the only way I found to continue driving when they are that bad is when you shift from first to second hold the handle back toward the wheel as if you were going into reverse as you lift it up. When you feel it at the neutral position then push it toward the dash and up into second. In otherwords you have to make deliberate square movements from first to second and back again, like you are 85 years old and have all day to go from one gear to the next. Not any fun but it usually won't hang up on you.

On Fri, 6 Aug 2004 09:08:14 -0500, snipped-for-privacy@webtv.net (Marsh Monster) puked:

Ok, here's (part of) the problem I would imagine. There is a lot of slop in the linkage. I was mistakenly blaming it on the shift handle assembly itself until I started rattling it under the hood.

Now, what kind of bushings are supposed to be used here? The factory assembly manual doesn't show, nor does any of the catalogs. Are they brass, and where would I go about getting them?

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

They're rubber outer bushings:

With a plastic insert, that keeps the pin from cutting in the rubber. They are the same on GM 4 speed and three speed shifters, and I think Mr. Gasket has them.

Refinish King

PS Being with a new ISP, I can't get alt.chevelles or alt.chevelle-malibu, so if you need my help. Please feel free to contact in here.

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 17:13:48 GMT, "Refinish King" puked:

I don't get either of those. I get alt.auto.chevelle and it won't even take one of my posts. Go figure.

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

So I won't worry about getting an add on news service!

Thanks for the info!

Refinish King

Marsh,

sometimes you just can't figure. ??!! lol if he only uses 2 gears maybe he'd like a Powerglide instead?

. . Firefly, your advice is sound.

But.... He said he didn't have a prob as long as he went to 2nd gear position BEFORE going to 3rd.

The OP said he DOES NOT want to have to go to 2nd at all.......

he want's to shift 1-3.

go figure.

MarshMonster ~:~ ==========

I have been looking for these "bushings" for a long time as well with no luck. If you or anyone else knows how to get some of these bushings please email or leave a message in this group. TIA Greg

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 11:41:45 GMT, lab~rat puked:

For what it's worth, I found this:

From here:

lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

On Tue, 10 Aug 2004 22:02:10 -0500, "Greg" puked:

You're in luck, dude. See my response to myself...

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

On Wed, 11 Aug 2004 02:43:50 GMT, "Rufus T. Firefly" puked:

The ratio is such that under hard acceleration, 2nd gear is useless. Sometimes it's just more efficient.

Oh, and sometimes I like to shift back to first from 3rd when I'm sitting at a light. Now I have to go from 3rd to second first...

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

On Thu, 05 Aug 2004 11:41:45 GMT, lab~rat puked:

Well, here's the follow-up to my project.

I ordered the bushings from Jim Carter's

And stuck those suckers in there. There was some slop in the bracket at the bottom end, so I put a washer in there. Now I can't make it jam if I wanted to...

There's still a little slop in the shifter arm so I may investigate it a little further, but it works great at this point. Next step is to install a backup light switch that has been sitting in my garage since December.

Thanks for your help.

-- lab~rat >:-) Do you want polite or do you want sincere?

The slop in the shifter arm:

Might be the shifter arm it self.

Push out the roll pin, with a roll pin punch, of course. Pull the shifter out of the column, and look at the tip of it to see if it got narrower than the rest of the stem that fits into the selector assembly.

if it did, the shifter it self is a fairly cheap item, I've seen them in auto parts stores for $15.95, and if not, you'll have to remove the collar from the column, and have it weld up the two shafts that comprise the selector area.

Too bad you're so far away, I'd love to play with an old Elky!

Refinish King