Calling Saginaw 3spd Experts! - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

ts71281 · 10-10-2003, 09:50 AM

Hey gang,

Quick question for you folks. I have a 3spd on the column in my truck and I've been toying with the idea of moving the shifting pattern up to a higher location so that when I put it in 3rd gear the shifter isn't laying in my lap. What I did last night is re-adjust the linkages so they went as far down through the lockdown bolts as far as they'd go before the linkage was ready to come out. Then I went to the 2/3 gear selector and lined nuetral up perfectly and tightened that down as well. Truck shifts great, and I managed to move 3rd gear about a half an inch higher than it used to sit. I don't want to weld more length of rod to the linkages but I had another idea. Is it possible (on the shifter arms that are located on the transmission) to remove the bolts, carefully pull out the arms then reposition the arm to where I want them, then simply just replace the bolt? I don't know if there are splines on those arms or if you can only install them one way? Just curious? I thought I'd ask before I crack into it. Thanks ahead of time for the feeback guys.

Joe Hirdler

**CPNE** · 10-10-2003, 09:54 AM

They only go on one way. there is a detent that won't allow positioning at different angles.

ts71281 · 10-10-2003, 12:20 PM

So I guess I'll need some donor 3spd linkage rods for my welding project

I'll have to post pics on how it's done. Don't you 3spd guys get sick of having 3rd gear in your lap? I know I do. I'm a big guy and will take all the leg room I can get. Just want to be able to have my knees straight up and down and not off to the side. In theory I think my idea will work. By extending the linkage rods you should be able to move your shifter handle up higher and still keep the same "throw length" in the shifting pattern.

EdB · 10-10-2003, 02:16 PM

The levers only fit one way at the transmisson.

You could fabricate some new levers and it would be
"Hit and miss' unless you made two sets. One blank and one
slotted to play with and then drill the perminent ones.

A simpler solution would be to adjust it as high as you can
and modify the shift lever itself with a 'Z' bend. It would
need to be re-chromed to look close to original.

Just some thoughts.

EdB

jef5150 · 10-10-2003, 04:07 PM

you could always go with a floor mounted shifter

my68beatertruck · 10-10-2003, 04:40 PM

in theory, if you make the shift arms on the column longer, it would shorten the throw on the shifter. might be a pain in the a$$, but just think, a short throw 3 on the tree.....

Duallie · 10-10-2003, 05:57 PM

A professor once told me he converted his three-on-the-tree to the other side of the column....
He said he did it so his girlfriend could sit next to him.

ts71281 · 10-12-2003, 02:32 AM

This is going to get interesting. I havent had time to go out to the garage to look at this yet but Im not sure I follow...... Lengthening the linkage rods I dont believe will shorten the shifting pattern. It will just allow me to move the shifter HIGHER up and out of my lap. The throw of the shifter is determined at the transmission but not the linkage arm length. Or am I missing something here, Wether its an inch long linkage or a 20 foot long linkage. The arm on the side of the transmission still has to move the same length. I could make it easy on myself and bend the original shifter arm but I like a challenge. I would like to get some junkyard linkage rods and cut the (adjustable) sections off 2 sets of rods so I can weld on another 4-5 inches of adjustment area to my current rods. A nice weld along with some grinding and repainting the linkages would hide any custom fabrication. Before I go any further I need to check clearance to make sure the linkages wont hit the brake master cylinder. Thank god I dont have power brakes on this one

Joe Hirdler

O'l Buck · 10-12-2003, 02:53 AM

I've got one of those in my convertible.......the only thing I can really tell you about it is don't put it behind a 320 HP 330 Olds and mash the gas in 2nd gear when the tires hook up good........the case will most definitely crack.

10-10-2003, 09:50 AM	#1
ts71281 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 497	Calling Saginaw 3spd Experts! Hey gang, Quick question for you folks. I have a 3spd on the column in my truck and I've been toying with the idea of moving the shifting pattern up to a higher location so that when I put it in 3rd gear the shifter isn't laying in my lap. What I did last night is re-adjust the linkages so they went as far down through the lockdown bolts as far as they'd go before the linkage was ready to come out. Then I went to the 2/3 gear selector and lined nuetral up perfectly and tightened that down as well. Truck shifts great, and I managed to move 3rd gear about a half an inch higher than it used to sit. I don't want to weld more length of rod to the linkages but I had another idea. Is it possible (on the shifter arms that are located on the transmission) to remove the bolts, carefully pull out the arms then reposition the arm to where I want them, then simply just replace the bolt? I don't know if there are splines on those arms or if you can only install them one way? Just curious? I thought I'd ask before I crack into it. Thanks ahead of time for the feeback guys. Joe Hirdler

10-10-2003, 09:54 AM	#2
CPNE Resident Curmudgeon Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: NH Posts: 6,662	They only go on one way. there is a detent that won't allow positioning at different angles. __________________ Currently on or near the homestead: 67 Chevy SWB 2WD stepside 350/3 on tree (Pat's) 67 GMC SWB 2WD Fleet 402/auto (Brian's under construction) 67 Chevy 3/4 ton 2WD 402/auto (Business Hauler) 67 Chevy 1 ton dually 2WD 396/4 speed (Former business hauler, Needs TLC) 68 Chevy 1/2 ton Suburban 2WD 250 six/3 on tree (Brian's Needs TLC) 70 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD 350/4 speed (Pat's - Disguised as a 68 GMC) 71 Chevy SWB stepside (Crushed by tree - parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD (Parts donor) 72 Chevy 3/4 ton 4WD Suburban (Parts Donor) 72 GMC 3/4 ton 4WD 292 six/4 speed (Mine - Disguised as a 67 GMC) 81 GMC 4WD Dually Dump Body 350/4 speed (Business Hauler) 82 Camaro Z/28 355/Super T-10 (Pat's toy) 93 Caprice 9C1 (Brian's Cop Car) 02 Toyota Camry (Reliable but a souless steel and plastic hulk) 2011 2SS RS Camaro M6 Factory Hurst Shifter Maybe I need to sell some of this crap Yet another Bozo with a sawz-all

10-10-2003, 02:16 PM	#4
EdB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport Ms Posts: 401	re-Saginaw The levers only fit one way at the transmisson. You could fabricate some new levers and it would be "Hit and miss' unless you made two sets. One blank and one slotted to play with and then drill the perminent ones. A simpler solution would be to adjust it as high as you can and modify the shift lever itself with a 'Z' bend. It would need to be re-chromed to look close to original. Just some thoughts. EdB

10-10-2003, 04:40 PM	#6
my68beatertruck GOT JACK??? Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: New Jersey Posts: 122	in theory, if you make the shift arms on the column longer, it would shorten the throw on the shifter. might be a pain in the a$$, but just think, a short throw 3 on the tree..... __________________ 68 C-10 250", 200R-4, LWB 04 F350 dually V-10, 6-spd 72 Cadillac Coupe DeVille

10-10-2003, 05:57 PM	#7
Duallie Registered User Join Date: Feb 2001 Location: Nikiski, Alaska Posts: 477	A professor once told me he converted his three-on-the-tree to the other side of the column.... He said he did it so his girlfriend could sit next to him. __________________ Just as if I knew what I was doin'

10-10-2003, 12:20 PM	#3
ts71281 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 497	So I guess I'll need some donor 3spd linkage rods for my welding project I'll have to post pics on how it's done. Don't you 3spd guys get sick of having 3rd gear in your lap? I know I do. I'm a big guy and will take all the leg room I can get. Just want to be able to have my knees straight up and down and not off to the side. In theory I think my idea will work. By extending the linkage rods you should be able to move your shifter handle up higher and still keep the same "throw length" in the shifting pattern.

10-10-2003, 04:07 PM	#5
jef5150 Inline 69 Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: valleysprings,california Posts: 1,018	you could always go with a floor mounted shifter

10-12-2003, 02:32 AM	#8
ts71281 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: Maple Grove, MN Posts: 497	This is going to get interesting. I havent had time to go out to the garage to look at this yet but Im not sure I follow...... Lengthening the linkage rods I dont believe will shorten the shifting pattern. It will just allow me to move the shifter HIGHER up and out of my lap. The throw of the shifter is determined at the transmission but not the linkage arm length. Or am I missing something here, Wether its an inch long linkage or a 20 foot long linkage. The arm on the side of the transmission still has to move the same length. I could make it easy on myself and bend the original shifter arm but I like a challenge. I would like to get some junkyard linkage rods and cut the (adjustable) sections off 2 sets of rods so I can weld on another 4-5 inches of adjustment area to my current rods. A nice weld along with some grinding and repainting the linkages would hide any custom fabrication. Before I go any further I need to check clearance to make sure the linkages wont hit the brake master cylinder. Thank god I dont have power brakes on this one Joe Hirdler

10-12-2003, 02:53 AM	#9
O'l Buck Recovering Truck Driver Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Orleans, NE USA Posts: 1,883	I've got one of those in my convertible.......the only thing I can really tell you about it is don't put it behind a 320 HP 330 Olds and mash the gas in 2nd gear when the tires hook up good........the case will most definitely crack. __________________ 67 K-20 350, SM465, Eaton rear, 4.56 no spin option 00 Dodge 2500 4x4, 24V cummins, 5 speed Chad South Central Nebraska



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