OOPS...Grog break gearshift - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

bluec10 · 04-22-2004, 11:22 AM

I took my newly acquired '69 GMC for a first-time spin last night.

It was a bit of heaven. So smooth!

I was going 70 on the highway, I let go of the wheel, and it just stayed straight and true in its lane. The engine hasn't been tuned for years, and she just purred along. I forgot how smooth the L6 runs.

The shifting on the three-on-the-tree was tights. At first it worked ok, but it didn't drop into gear cleanly. Toward the end of the ride I pulled the leaver toward me and something went clunk...and the leaver was waggling loose. I could still get it into 2nd and 3rd, but 1st and Rev don't work.

What did I break?

Gibble · 04-22-2004, 12:20 PM

Probably a link from the gear shift to the transmission.

I have no clue what those use to connect the two...

Hopefully someone else knows.

Slonaker · 04-22-2004, 12:22 PM

When I was a kid, my Mom broke the column shift on my Dad's C20. He replaced it with a floor shifter. She snapped the the shifter off at the floor. He welded a piece of water pipe to the shifter with the old handle welded to the top, and dared her to break that. She never could.

These incidents earned her the nickname "Gorilla Grip."

Slonaker "Son of Gorilla Grip"

plumbcut · 04-23-2004, 02:54 AM

slonaker, sounds like there may have been other incidents that helped her earn that title.

As far as the column shift goes, a coworker/friend from a few years back drove a 70 something dodge van with 3 on the tree. It was always acting funny and let me tell you it was nothing short of a hassle trying to adjust/fix/rig the whole setup.. I wish you good luck!

pc

bluec10 · 04-23-2004, 10:41 AM

I'm still trying to get the steering wheel off - stupid discount puller set.

Anyway, I'm starting to worry.

Grim Reaper · 04-23-2004, 12:20 PM

Hurst use to have a Bumper sticer with a saying on it.

Hurst: Shift as hard as your want, just don't break your arm.

Sounds like time for a Hurst Floor shifter.

My buddy has a 1967 Impalla that his dad bought new with a colum shift. He would not put a floor shift in because then his girl could not snuggle up. Car is built other wise. Been in World of wheels. Really nice hand laid stripes. Has a dynoed 327 Towanda in it that puts out a honest 410 hp.

Riding in it goes something like this.

1st gear take off Loud as hell from the duals and flow masters. Pinned to seat. g-forces felt in neck Posie locked tires on edge of traction loss. gas being feather to keep the tractions. Hard core rocke roll music inthe back ground.

Time to shift. Elevator music starts playing he gingerly shifts makes sure it's in gear.
Dumps the 2600lb Hayse clutch. All hell breaks loose Rock-n-roll music cuts in with heavy distortion guitars, tires squeealing cars sideways back to pinned to the seat till about 5,000 rpm.

Time to shift: elevator music comes back on Gently lifts up shifter throught the gate into 3rd.
Dumps 2600lb Hayes, Head jerked back again. etc

Honestly riding in that car drives me NUTS. That shift would have long been gone with me.

bluec10 · 04-23-2004, 03:47 PM

The column shift does make allowances for the female beside you - a factor not to be underestimated. I've got to put some credit in the bank now that old truck #3 is on the yard.

04-22-2004, 11:22 AM	#1
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	OOPS...Grog break gearshift I took my newly acquired '69 GMC for a first-time spin last night. It was a bit of heaven. So smooth! I was going 70 on the highway, I let go of the wheel, and it just stayed straight and true in its lane. The engine hasn't been tuned for years, and she just purred along. I forgot how smooth the L6 runs. The shifting on the three-on-the-tree was tights. At first it worked ok, but it didn't drop into gear cleanly. Toward the end of the ride I pulled the leaver toward me and something went clunk...and the leaver was waggling loose. I could still get it into 2nd and 3rd, but 1st and Rev don't work. What did I break? __________________ 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.

04-23-2004, 10:41 AM	#5
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	I'm still trying to get the steering wheel off - stupid discount puller set. Anyway, I'm starting to worry. __________________ 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.

04-23-2004, 12:20 PM	#6
Grim Reaper Registered User Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Atlanta GA Posts: 1,704	Hurst use to have a Bumper sticer with a saying on it. Hurst: Shift as hard as your want, just don't break your arm. Sounds like time for a Hurst Floor shifter. My buddy has a 1967 Impalla that his dad bought new with a colum shift. He would not put a floor shift in because then his girl could not snuggle up. Car is built other wise. Been in World of wheels. Really nice hand laid stripes. Has a dynoed 327 Towanda in it that puts out a honest 410 hp. Riding in it goes something like this. 1st gear take off Loud as hell from the duals and flow masters. Pinned to seat. g-forces felt in neck Posie locked tires on edge of traction loss. gas being feather to keep the tractions. Hard core rocke roll music inthe back ground. Time to shift. Elevator music starts playing he gingerly shifts makes sure it's in gear. Dumps the 2600lb Hayse clutch. All hell breaks loose Rock-n-roll music cuts in with heavy distortion guitars, tires squeealing cars sideways back to pinned to the seat till about 5,000 rpm. Time to shift: elevator music comes back on Gently lifts up shifter throught the gate into 3rd. Dumps 2600lb Hayes, Head jerked back again. etc Honestly riding in that car drives me NUTS. That shift would have long been gone with me. __________________ Grim-Reaper 70 Pontiac LeMans Sport Convertible, worlds longest resto in progress Looking for 71-72 2wd Blazer or Jimmy Project

04-23-2004, 03:47 PM	#7
bluec10 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: Manitoba, Canada Posts: 663	The column shift does make allowances for the female beside you - a factor not to be underestimated. I've got to put some credit in the bank now that old truck #3 is on the yard. __________________ 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.

04-22-2004, 12:20 PM	#2
Gibble mmmm....Rye and Coke Join Date: Apr 2003 Location: MB, Canada Posts: 485	Probably a link from the gear shift to the transmission. I have no clue what those use to connect the two... Hopefully someone else knows.

04-22-2004, 12:22 PM	#3
Slonaker Insert Witty Text Here Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: San Antonio, TX Posts: 3,415	When I was a kid, my Mom broke the column shift on my Dad's C20. He replaced it with a floor shifter. She snapped the the shifter off at the floor. He welded a piece of water pipe to the shifter with the old handle welded to the top, and dared her to break that. She never could. These incidents earned her the nickname "Gorilla Grip." Slonaker "Son of Gorilla Grip" __________________ '86 Chevy C10 (Sold 04/19/13 ) Stock '01 Silverado

04-23-2004, 02:54 AM	#4
plumbcut california fill Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Sunny So-Cal Posts: 694	slonaker, sounds like there may have been other incidents that helped her earn that title. As far as the column shift goes, a coworker/friend from a few years back drove a 70 something dodge van with 3 on the tree. It was always acting funny and let me tell you it was nothing short of a hassle trying to adjust/fix/rig the whole setup.. I wish you good luck! pc



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