Bought a '69 - It Won't Shift - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 04-14-2004, 03:51 PM

I just bought a '69 GMC with a 250 and a 3-on-the-tree. It runs well enough to get it home, but it won't shift out of third. The gearshift won't move, although if you move the couplings under the hood they seem to move OK. Any suggestions? I want to bring it home soon.

**Yukon Jack** · 04-14-2004, 04:33 PM

The shift linkage is probably out of alignment.

Back when I had a three speed I was always having problems and some adjustment on the linkage got it shifting again.

To adjust the three speed you will need some
sort of alignment rod, I used a nail cut to the right length. I also used a long board to keep the clutch pedal pressed in while doing the adjustments. The linkage adjustment is made under the hood on the steering column shaft. What you want to do is loosen up the nuts that tighten the guides on the shifting linkage. Get the tranny into neutral, which will have the two guides in line with each other. The guides have a small hole in them and there
is also a raised notch on top of the steering column. Lay the nail on the notch and then move the guides until the nail slides through each guide. Then what I did was moved the linkage rods up and down to see how they cycle through the gears and then get back into neutral. Then I tightened the nuts so the guide is secure. Remove the alignment rod, ie the nail, and then cycle the tranny with the shift column in the cab. I had to do a little fine tuning to get the linkage right but it took all of 10 minutes once I figured out what I was doing.

Putter · 04-14-2004, 05:26 PM

I had a '65 do something similar once. The moving parts of the shifter were stuck on the inside of the steering column. I just sprayed some lube down inside the column (after removing the steering wheel) and started to work it loose. Never had another issue. It may turn out to be the linkage like Yukon Jack mentioned, but if it is not you might try this.

cdowns · 04-14-2004, 06:12 PM

i'd say the most common cause of shifter jamming up is the body mounts sagging either from rust or the rubber deteration

bluec10 · 04-15-2004, 03:59 PM

Thanks for the help guys.

The truck has been sitting for quite a while so I wouldn't be surprized if the parts inside of the steering column were dried out.

The nail idea is helpful.

The rear cab mounts are rusty, which may contribute as cdowns mentioned.

Replies like these are why I love the board!

diggin69 · 04-15-2004, 04:19 PM

Might want to check the bushings to see if they are even their or not.....they are were the linkege goes on to the colomn just a thought they get in a bind sometimes & will hang up....

DennyB · 04-15-2004, 04:47 PM

Thats also probably a saginaw gear box.
heres another possible cause...
Sometimes when the shift linkage is worn it will jamb the levers on the trans.
ie: try to move one before the other is disengaged.
Set the e-break, slide under the truck and try to manually move the trans levers into netural.
I had this problem from time to time with my 71.
If this helps then shift nice and slow till all the bushings are repaired.

04-14-2004, 03:51 PM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Bought a '69 - It Won't Shift I just bought a '69 GMC with a 250 and a 3-on-the-tree. It runs well enough to get it home, but it won't shift out of third. The gearshift won't move, although if you move the couplings under the hood they seem to move OK. Any suggestions? I want to bring it home soon. __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-14-2004, 04:33 PM	#2
Yukon Jack Post Whore Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: Rose Hill, KS, USA Posts: 12,684	The shift linkage is probably out of alignment. Back when I had a three speed I was always having problems and some adjustment on the linkage got it shifting again. To adjust the three speed you will need some sort of alignment rod, I used a nail cut to the right length. I also used a long board to keep the clutch pedal pressed in while doing the adjustments. The linkage adjustment is made under the hood on the steering column shaft. What you want to do is loosen up the nuts that tighten the guides on the shifting linkage. Get the tranny into neutral, which will have the two guides in line with each other. The guides have a small hole in them and there is also a raised notch on top of the steering column. Lay the nail on the notch and then move the guides until the nail slides through each guide. Then what I did was moved the linkage rods up and down to see how they cycle through the gears and then get back into neutral. Then I tightened the nuts so the guide is secure. Remove the alignment rod, ie the nail, and then cycle the tranny with the shift column in the cab. I had to do a little fine tuning to get the linkage right but it took all of 10 minutes once I figured out what I was doing. __________________ 1970 Blazer with a 400 sbc and 4" lift 1980 Pontiac Trans Am, 455 Oldsmobile 2012 Kawasaki Concours 14

04-14-2004, 05:26 PM	#3
Putter More Cowbell.... Join Date: Mar 2004 Location: Puckett, MS Posts: 3,569	I had a '65 do something similar once. The moving parts of the shifter were stuck on the inside of the steering column. I just sprayed some lube down inside the column (after removing the steering wheel) and started to work it loose. Never had another issue. It may turn out to be the linkage like Yukon Jack mentioned, but if it is not you might try this. __________________ *There once was a member from Puckett.....Who ( fill in the blank blank blank* ) bucket**

04-14-2004, 06:12 PM	#4
cdowns Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: daytonabeach Posts: 22,956	i'd say the most common cause of shifter jamming up is the body mounts sagging either from rust or the rubber deteration __________________ 71c-10 350/2004r/4:11 lowered3/4 longbed/dead by hurricane MEANING OF DEATH::::: SOMEBODY ELSE GETS YOUR STUFF DONT BELIEVE EVERYTHING YOU THINK TAKE MY ADVISE;I DON'T USE IT ANYWAY

04-15-2004, 03:59 PM	#5
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	Thanks for the help guys. The truck has been sitting for quite a while so I wouldn't be surprized if the parts inside of the steering column were dried out. The nail idea is helpful. The rear cab mounts are rusty, which may contribute as cdowns mentioned. Replies like these are why I love the board! __________________ Present: 2015 Tacoma. Yeah, not a GM, but I love it. 1969 GMC 32,000 - fix, drive, relax, fix... 2019 BMW R1250 GSA - Yahoooooooo 1979 Honda GL 1000 - retro touring at its best. Past: '05 Sierra 4x4 - Had 270,000 KM and running well when it was written-off by a stop sign runner. '94 F-150 from the "F word" company. I'll admit it...good truck. Sold what was left of it for $800 to a guy who came to pick it up at 11:00 PM with cash in hand. Hmm. '79 Sierra Grande (Black) organ donor - perfect rebuildable 4-bolt 350 and a good TH350. '76 Sierra Grande (Orange) - hate isn't too strong a word. Kid who bought it turned it into a hot rod. '68 C-10 R.I.P. - Dad's old truck...too far gone to resurrect. '59 C-50 - with hoist. Truck is gone, wife isn't. Nuff said.

04-15-2004, 04:19 PM	#6
diggin69 Southern but in Ohio!!!! Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Eaton,Oh. 45320 Posts: 467	Might want to check the bushings to see if they are even their or not.....they are were the linkege goes on to the colomn just a thought they get in a bind sometimes & will hang up.... __________________ 1969 C/10 3/4 ton 4x4 longbed custom, frame made from a 79 1972 custom-10 half/ton longbed 1980 1/2 ton 4x4 all original 350/350/205 with air Eaton,Oh rebelryder@hotmail.com

04-15-2004, 04:47 PM	#7
DennyB Led Sled! Discs R 4 ME! Join Date: Jan 2001 Location: Toms River, NJ, USA (Transplanted Hoosier) Posts: 7,327	Thats also probably a saginaw gear box. heres another possible cause... Sometimes when the shift linkage is worn it will jamb the levers on the trans. ie: try to move one before the other is disengaged. Set the e-break, slide under the truck and try to manually move the trans levers into netural. I had this problem from time to time with my 71. If this helps then shift nice and slow till all the bushings are repaired. __________________ "Never ride faster than your Angel can fly" I.M.O.M,W,J&C Patriot Guard Rider



Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.

Register or Log In To remove these advertisements.