Custom 3spd Shifter bushings

[creed1969]

Hey guys,

I think I've made an improvement to the 3 on the tree shifter in my chevy... I searched for replacement bushings, and yes I do realize there are a few places you can get them, but I decided to step things up a notch.

I took measurements for top and bottom bushings, and did up drawings for them. Sent the drawings to a buddy who works at a metal fab shop, and they turned them on the lathe for me out of SAE 660 bronze. Here's the finished product!



And with the two parts assembled:



Got them home and installed them...they fit great! I sized them for an RC5 medium running fit, and it seems to have done the trick. The truck shifts with way more precision now.







So for anyone that keeps the 3ott shifter....and I know there's a few of us...here's an option to consider when your bushings wear out. Has anyone else fabbed bushings for these?

[59bones]

Nice job and I bet it works way better than before.

I'll take a set if you plan on fabbing some more!

[GRX]

Looks good! Bet they work great. Not for these trucks, but I have fabricated similar brass bushings on the lathe for the clutch and shift linkage in my '69 GTO.

Even in perfect working order I find column shifters to be cumbersome - lots of weight to move around. The three on the tree in my C-10 got yanked in favor of the Hurst floor conversion kit. Best thing I ever did to the truck.

[creed1969]

Thanks guys, yes I would never argue that there is any advantage at all to shifting on the column...but there are three reasons I'm keeping it for now:
1. The far-away look in an uncle's or grandparent's eye as it brings back memories
2. The amazed/puzzled look on someone's face that has never seen it before
3. The great nostalgic feeling as I swing thru the gears.

Plus I've just got the I6 250 in front of it...so the only thing quicker shifts would do for me is shave a few seconds off my 30 sec 1/4 mile...

[GRX]

All valid reasons. No arguing the nostalgia factor! Over the decades I have owned a few cars & trucks with column shift - both GM and Ford. As you can see from my sig, my C-10 is a 250 as well. To me it just got old shifting in heavy traffic. Much less elbow & shoulder grease required when the shift knob is at the seat next to you. So once the time came to rebuild the linkage I did the swap.

Think I'll pull the column shift rods off the wall again just for fun.

[88Ironduke]

Great product. If you decide to mill out another set let us know!

88Ironduke

[cericd]

Originally Posted by 88Ironduke

Great product. If you decide to mill out another set let us know!

88Ironduke

Agreed.

[Kidd-7]

Originally Posted by 88Ironduke

Great product. If you decide to mill out another set let us know!

88Ironduke

Awesome, I want some too...

[54blackhornet]

I would like a set also !
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[creed1969]

Wow maybe I should do up some more hey? sounds like there would be some demand. Unfortunately the bronze stock is pretty pricey. Just the material alone cost around $50, (1" round bar) and I was fortunate to get the machining for free.

Its these sorts of little custom upgrades that makes building these trucks so much fun

[GRX]

Yeah, that sounds kind of spendy for 660 bronze. $50 for the whole bar or just what was used for the bushings?

Pricing:
http://www.onlinemetals.com/merchant...=761&top_cat=0

[68gmsee]

Or,,, at least post the measurements you have for us brother truckers.

Those look great on the truck. I made my own out of metal tubing and rubber hose many years ago. So far they've held up and work good but they're nothing to look at.

[Sixteen Tons]

I was recently doing some adjustment on my 3OTT, (250 I6 as well) and though it really helped with shifting, I did notice how sloppy of a fit it was under the cab. I put together some miscellaneous things from the bench top to see if it would work (sorta), but I would definitely be interested in a set of properly fabricated ones. If you make 'em, we'll take 'em......

[Russ.W.]

Nice work!

Originally Posted by 68gmsee

Or,,, at least post the measurements you have for us brother truckers.

Was thinking the same thing. Rather than the hassle/expense of getting them made for everyone, maybe be generous and share the measurements & drawings?

[DjS71]

If nothing else, post the measurements. That looks fantastic, all of us boys with the ol' sloppy 3OTT are jealous.

[oklalawnboy]

How much do you think they would cost if you added your labor? I would be interested in having a set too.

[Kidd-7]

I also notice that one of those bolts is nice and new looking, did you just clean it up and paint it or is that a new bolt? If new, where did you find it at? Thanks.

[data89]

Where can you purchase these?

[TheOcho]

I redesigned the shift bushings on my 78. These are the prototypes I made from mild 1018 steel. They are adjustable for wear. These two are currently installed on my truck and they work great. I'm currently working on a set made of 4140 chromoly (pre-hard) for greater wear resistance. The 78 doesn't use metal bushings on the column end, only at the transmission, hence the reason why there are only two.

The pic isn't that good, but it's all I have.

[TheOcho]

Here's a pic, comparing the factory bushing to my bushings.

[kray59]

I would be interested in a set also . thanks , kenny .

[creed1969]

Wow I'm astounded at your guys feedback on these! Thanks for the interest! I don't intend to do another batch of these, but here are the drawings I provided to my machinist...provided for "reference" only.





I hope these work for you guys, at least they save you the time of making your own drawings.

Cheers, Colin

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by creed1969

Wow I'm astounded at your guys feedback on these! Thanks for the interest! I don't intend to do another batch of these, but here are the drawings I provided to my machinist...provided for "reference" only.


I hope these work for you guys, at least they save you the time of making your own drawings.

Cheers, Colin

Hey - I noticed there are no signatures in the "checked" and "approved" boxes.

We can't archive those until they are completely signed off...



K

[creed1969]

Haha, relax. As the originator I am taking the liberty of skipping all checks and approvals lol. In this case the bold red FOR INFORMATION stamp covers a multitude of sins.