help with shift linkage?

[blackmopar]

Whats up guys - having a problem with shift linkage after correcting some of the previous owners afro engineering. Sorry this is wordy buit cant explain it any other way.

64 lwb has a 350/350 combo with stock column shift (Had a powerglide originally with a 292 way before I got it)

The PO had used the I6 motor mounts with the 350 motor so it was sitting sideways and in the front frame rail holes. It ran when I bought it, and shifted without a problem - and these problems hadnt been identified yet.

Skip ahead - I pulled the motor and trans, got the correct stock V8 mounts and the motor is now in the proper rear frame hole position and the tranny x member is in its stock location. Now the shift linkage wouldnt reach to the pinch bolt on the tranny shift bracket, so I welded a 2" extension on the rod.

I positoned the column indicator to 'N', made sure the trans was in 'N' and sinched the linkage rod down in the shift bracket.

It seems like I can get it to shift up to reverse and then binds, and possibly down to 2nd and then binds again - what am I doing wrong?

[markeb01]

This is a difficult problem to diagnose without pictures, but it sounds like you might have one or more issues. If you are using a factory solid rod to connect the steering column lever to the transmission lever, the orientation of each lever may be changing to a different angle through the range of travel, which will cause binding. Alternatively, the transmission shifter arm may be engaging the rod at a bad angle. Something like a Kugel arm assembly may fix all these problems. If that option is too expensive, it might at least provide some ideas on how to diagnose or repair the problem(s).

Essentially they have ball joint connections at each end allowing the levers to move through incompatible angles that would cause a solid rod to bind. And the transmission lever fits over a splined drum that attaches to the transmission. This allows the lever to be oriented in any clock position to provide the needed range of motion.

http://www.kugelkomponents.com/zenca...=index&cPath=2

[blackmopar]

Mark,

Thanks for braving the response from my nonsensical rambling! You understood my problem and I was thinking similarly to just scrap it all and go with the lokar version of your kugel suggestion
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/LOK-ACA-1800/
(only cuz I didnt know kugel made one)

so if I go with one of these I sh1t can the OE solid column rod, tranny lever assy/frame bracket and switch out the OE tranny lever witht he one provded in the kit?

this sounds MUCH easier that trying to R&R existing! By the way - the linkage setups for a Powerglide must be different than the th350? Im almost positive Ive got the powerglide linkage components which seems like that may be in fact the issue (since these aftermarket kits dont show to use with Powerglides)

[markeb01]

Funny, I only suggested the Kugel kit because they invented the concept of the adjustable arm, and I didn't know Lokar made a similar item! Once again I learned something new today. Here's a shot of the Lokar arm, and it does seem to have the same level of adjustability.



I'm not familiar with the factory truck shifter to know if it has an idler mechanism between the column and transmission, but with or without it, I'm assuming the parts in the kit would solve the problem. Not sure what's so different about the Powerglide. It's been several decades since I owned one so I just don't remember what their linkage looked like.

[blackmopar]

this is the current set up I have - So basically I scrap it all and go with one of the aforementioned kits? Seems intelligable to me! Thanks for the help Mark!