67 steering column help

[dave6672]

I have a 67 C10 with a powerglide and have a question concerning the shifter. I believe that someone installed the shifter out of an earlier model truck and it is very difficult to shift. I removed the shifter and there was a small spring, which I assume is to allow the shifter to spring back into the correct position after changing gears. I have ordered the correct shifter for a 67, along with a bushing that, from what I gather, it needs.

Questions: Based on my picture, does my shifter look like one from an earlier model and not correct for a 67 with a PG? For the installation of a new shifter, does the bushing slide onto the end of the shifter before installing? Where does the spring go? Does anyone have a drawing or pic of how this is assembled? Thanks.

[68panelman]

My 67 3ott uses the same straight shifter, another one year only 67 thing, what makes you think it's not original to the truck?

[pjmoreland]

I've never seen a spring like that inside a non-tilt automatic column. My guess is that it was added at some point to the pointy end of the shifter as an anti-rattle remedy. It looks to me like that spring was a longer spring that was cut down based on the way the ends aren't flattened out like your typical spring.

I attempted to install one of the anti-rattle bushings on the shifter that came in my '68, but I could not get it to slip over the little ball on the end without cracking. I tried multiple times and tried enlarging the hole in the bushing, but I was still unsuccessful.

https://classicparts.com/1967-74-shi...sleeve-bushing

[dave6672]

Originally Posted by 68panelman

My 67 3ott uses the same straight shifter, another one year only 67 thing, what makes you think it's not original to the truck?

It is too tight to smoothly pivot back and forth to allow the gears to be changed. If you look at the pic of the column, you can see where it has worn away the metal on the housing where it goes into the column. Plus to me it looks like a shifter from the 60-66 era. Thanks.

[dave6672]

Originally Posted by pjmoreland

I've never seen a spring like that inside a non-tilt automatic column. My guess is that it was added at some point to the pointy end of the shifter as an anti-rattle remedy. It looks to me like that spring was a longer spring that was cut down based on the way the ends aren't flattened out like your typical spring.

I attempted to install one of the anti-rattle bushings on the shifter that came in my '68, but I could not get it to slip over the little ball on the end without cracking. I tried multiple times and tried enlarging the hole in the bushing, but I was still unsuccessful.

https://classicparts.com/1967-74-shi...sleeve-bushing

I have order the bushing. Thanks.

In searching the net, I have seen where there is a spring (that is longer than mine) that fits in a pocket and allows the shifter to spring back into position,
So is that only on a tilt column? If so, how does a non-tilt column's shifter spring back into position? Is there a spring mechanism down on the column that does that? Thanks.

[pjmoreland]

Originally Posted by dave6672

In searching the net, I have seen where there is a spring (that is longer than mine) that fits in a pocket and allows the shifter to spring back into position,
So is that only on a tilt column? If so, how does a non-tilt column's shifter spring back into position? Is there a spring mechanism down on the column that does that? Thanks.

Correct. Only tilt columns have a little spring in a pocket that makes the handle spring back. Non-tilt columns have two large springs down inside the base of the column that make the shift tube and handle spring back. They're the two larger springs shown in this photo. My understanding is that the inner spring adds a little extra resistance when pulling the shift lever back a little farther to shift into park.

[pjmoreland]

Maybe your spring and shifter are from a 60-66 truck.

https://classicparts.com/1960-66-shi...control-spring

https://classicparts.com/chevy-gmc/t...-handle-column

https://classicparts.com/1960-66-gea...b-column-shift

[LockDoc]

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Spray some PB Blaster, Liquid Wrench, or something similar (not WD-40) into the steering column, where the shift lever goes in. Don't be afraid to give it a good dousing. (put something on the floor if you have good carpet in it). After you spray it put the shift lever back in and pull the shift lever up toward you and push it back down toward the dash. It should move up and down a couple of inches. Do this 4 or 5 times. This will help free up any sticking in the shift lever tube. The reason the shift lever moves up and down is because it should be pulled back towards you to shift it into and out of the park position. Also spray the bottom of the column under the hood too.

Warm the bushing up with your wife's hair dryer before you try to install it.

[dave6672]

Thanks pjmoreland, you've helped me figure out how it works. I've messed with trucks a lot, but never the column. I agree that the shifter seems to be from a 60-66.

I exercised the mechanism under the hood by using channel locks to move it against the column spring, mimicking what would happen when the shifter is pulled back toward the driver (against the spring). It seems to move freely and I had my daughter watch inside the column where the shifter goes and it moved when I moved the mechanism at the firewall. But when I reinstalled the shifter it still wouldn't move the mechanism back and forth. We'll see what happens when I get the correct shifter in place.

I have sprayed some PB Blaster in the column Leon, but it may need more. Thanks for the tips.