87 Silverado with wrong shift indicator

[Low84]

I'm going to need a bit of help here. I picked up a 87 tbi silverado a few months back and I've been having to go over all the previous owner's "fixes"

Stripped starter bolt, doorbell bolted onto the steering wheel for a horn button, 18 holes drilled on one bedside to put on the bed rails, etc.

The latest thing I'm trying to tackle is the steering column assembly. The truck is a 4spd auto and the shift indicator is off a 3spd model. I can't put it off anymore because I literally have to grab on to the shift lever and really put as much weight as I can to get it to get out of park. It's a straight down motion too. If I try to do the proper motion the shift lever ends up getting jammed against the steering wheel. I'm also having to really push up on it when I park it to turn it off or otherwise the key won't go back to the neutral position and stays stuck on the accessory position.

For the first time I don't even know what part needs getting fixed Can anybody help?

[piecesparts]

If you crawl underneath and loosen the slide bolt on the shift linkage, you can adjust that shifter problem. Get with GM or go to LMC and get the 4-speed tranny indicator and it can be changed out easily. Life is a big "B" if you miss the obvious. I did have a tranny change out in my truck, but I later went to a floor shifter for my tranny, so that I would not put the truck in reverse when I should not.

Get a helicoil and replace the starter bolt issue in an afternoon.

[Low84]

Originally Posted by piecesparts

If you crawl underneath and loosen the slide bolt on the shift linkage, you can adjust that shifter problem. Get with GM or go to LMC and get the 4-speed tranny indicator and it can be changed out easily. Life is a big "B" if you miss the obvious. I did have a tranny change out in my truck, but I later went to a floor shifter for my tranny, so that I would not put the truck in reverse when I should not.

Get a helicoil and replace the starter bolt issue in an afternoon.

Thanks, much appreciated. I've never messed with this part of vehicles and didn't know if it was something inside the column or what the deal was.

The starter was the first thing I fixed. I was initially going to stack washers or replace the solenoid, but the starter seemed to be on it's way out anyway so I replaced it all together.

I already put in a new window motor (that wasn't fun) but can't find the original style pinch clips so I'm going to have to go another route.

I'm picking parts off my old 84 and going to replace the steering wheel.

Here's some pics of what I'm talking about:





The bed rails were a PIA to remove, all different types of nuts and bolts, self tapping metal screws and some really rusted out. I had to bust out the grinder for a couple of them:
It's ugly. 18 holes just on the right bed side.

[motornut]

if your coloum is for a 3 speed shift,it won't have a notch for the fourth gear
if it's loose for ajustment,you can check for the 4 notches
maybe it is a four,with just a three speed cluster pointer
ajust as mentioned ,it will make the D the forth,2nd drive

[Keith Seymore]

Originally Posted by motornut

if your coloum is for a 3 speed shift,it won't have a notch for the fourth gear
if it's loose for ajustment,you can check for the 4 notches
maybe it is a four,with just a three speed cluster pointer
ajust as mentioned ,it will make the D the forth,2nd drive

I don't believe this is correct.

The column has the detent for Park, so columns are common between 3 speed and 4 speed; all of the others notches reside inside the trans (on the "rooster comb").

I'm about 90% sure.

Adjust the linkage as piecesparts describes (loosen the nut on the barrel and slide it on the rod). In the assembly plant we always made this adjustment in Neutral (Shift lever in N, trans in N) so that any error is split across the whole operating range.

K

[Rubble]

Big thing here too,MAKE SURE your e brake is on,and/ or wheels blocked before adjusting your shift rod,if you accidentally pull it out of park while adjusting it,you sure don't want it rolling over you!!!!
Posted via Mobile Device

[Low84]

Thanks for the help and advice. Hope to get to do this later on today. I'll let you all know how it goes.

[motornut]

Originally Posted by Keith Seymore

I don't believe this is correct.

The column has the detent for Park, so columns are common between 3 speed and 4 speed; all of the others notches reside inside the trans (on the "rooster comb").

I'm about 90% sure.

Adjust the linkage as piecesparts describes (loosen the nut on the barrel and slide it on the rod). In the assembly plant we always made this adjustment in Neutral (Shift lever in N, trans in N) so that any error is split across the whole operating range.

K

ok,I'd wondered about it after writing this
then wasn't sure