All you three speed guys

[im tha best]

What speed do you shift from first to second gear? I got my tranny rebuilt but its still making a noise in first gear until I shift out of it. It might be the linkage because I was researching and the shift patterns for a three speed are normally R 2 but mine is 1 3 so would that be the reason of the noise?
H H
1 3 R 2
Also, the shifter moves forward in first gear, almost to the point of it hitting the the keys. It was orginally a three on the tree but it was moved to the floor sometime before I bought it. So I was just wondering if you guys had any useful info for me.

[im tha best]

Sorry guys, its a little hard to read the gear layout.

The way its supposed to be is

R 2

1 3

but mine is

1 3

R 2

if that helps any.

[dkb1970]

Originally Posted by im tha best

Sorry guys, its a little hard to read the gear layout.

The way its supposed to be is

R 2

1 3

but mine is

1 3

R 2

if that helps any.

So it's actually "mirrored" from what it should be? I bet that's a "b****" to drive! Hopefully someone who's got experience with this will answer soon.

[im tha best]

Its not that bad, but I say that only because its the only three speed Ive ever driven. Before I did research and found the right way its supposed to be, I thought the way I have it was right, shows how much I know haha.

[dkb1970]

I'm really not familiar with the way the linkage is supposed to be but it sounds like the original setup must have included some sort of "pivot bracket" with linkage from the shifter to this bracket and then additional linkage to the trans from this bracket. Sounds like someone just hooked it up directly from the shifter to the trans? I'm just guessing here? Maybe an internet search will find some pictures of the way it's supposed to look? Good luck.

[PanelDeland]

Just a guess here,but have you looked at the shift arms on the tranny.They should hang down.If someone put them on with then in the up position,I "Think" it would reverse the shift pattern.

[68gmsee]

Yes, it looks like it was installed wrong or maybe that's the only way that particular shifter would work.

On my 68 with three on the column I shift at different speeds depending on how fast I have to go to beat the car next to me.

For normal take-offs, I usually shift to second around 15 mph than I shift to third around 20 +. All depends on the rear end ratio and transmission gear ratio spacing.

Whining in first is pretty common on these old trucks but it shouldn't be extremely loud. It's part of the nostalgia.

[im tha best]

To PanelDeland, yes the linkage arms are down.

and to 68gmsee, I do that too and thats what I keep telling myself, "its just an old truck, its supposed to make noises most of the time" haha

[frog trucker]

I don't know if your shifter is anything like a Hurst shifter, but I just put a Hurst Indy 3-speed floor shifter on my '68, and the new shift arms MUST point UP or the shift pattern will be backwards. The arms on mine were pointed down with the stock column shifter. When I changed the arms, I put the trans into first gear to tighten the 2/3 shift arm, and I put it into second gear when I tightend the 1/R arm. That way, the internal detents were holding the torque and no strain was put on the shift forks.

[im tha best]

YEPPP thats exactly what I have! Its an Hurst Indy shifter. The PO put a good 6 inch bar in the middle of it (looks pretty cool, I want to add another six inches to it so its level with the dash, idk I like the tall shifters like the ones in rat rods haha) because he said it kept hitting the seat in second or something, but I willll for sure check it out in changing the way the arms are facing. Is it easier to shift the way you have it cause mine kinda gets caught up going from third to second.

Also, on a side note, Im going to be moving to Sacramento for school here in June or so, and I was wondering how hard it is to run an old truck out there, because I know Cali is strict on emissions and what not.

[frog trucker]

No inspections for 1974 and older! (yet!)

[68gmsee]

From Texas to California? Be prepared to pay a ton of money for gas.

I don't know what condition your truck is in, but I would try to fix any problems it may have especially the brakes. See if you can fix the shifting problem and if possible, take some spare parts just to be sure.

List that I would take if I was making the trip with my truck:
Extra filters
Brake/park bulbs
A set of fuses- one of each
Fuel pump (cheap)
Maybe an extra alternator (cheap)
If you have points, an extra set.
Belts for fan, alternator, p.s., etc.
A good set of tools including crescent wrench or similar for filter replacement.