What am I doing wrong? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

**70STOVEBOLT** · 07-04-2006, 10:35 AM

I installed an automatic in place of a 3 spd manual trans, and the linkage rod that connects the trans linkage to the column lever is too short! Is there some sort of adjustment, or did I reassemble the column incorrectly? I had the column apart to clean it up, make sure nothing was broken, etc. It can only go back together one way, right? I'm lacking about 2 inches for the rod to fit through the hole on the column linkage. I must be overlooking something, but I cannot figure this out. Please help, I need this truck to drive to work tomorrow!! Thanks in advance.

Stovebolt

Jayss109 · 07-04-2006, 12:39 PM

only thing I can think of is this.... Make sure the trans is in the right gear compared to the shifter. Otherwise I havent messed with the columns!

Good Luck

Jason

ttt for ya too
________
Islam Advice

wibilly · 07-04-2006, 12:45 PM

i would guess if your trying to use the 3 speed colume and linkage it will need some modifications

**VetteVet** · 07-04-2006, 12:47 PM

do you have it like this at the trans.

------------------------------------

glock35ipsc · 07-04-2006, 12:56 PM

Are you using the manual trans steering column, or did you replace it with an auto column?

**70STOVEBOLT** · 07-04-2006, 06:06 PM

I have an auto column in it. There are 2 pieces that stick out of the column, one that has the eye clamp that holds the rod from the trans, and one that has detents on it for the gears. when the lever inside the truck is in Park, those two pieces on the column are about 2 inches above the rod. I turned the detent lever on the trans all the way the other way and the rod drops even lower. I don't get it. This column is out of a 67 GMC, but that should not make any difference, should it? I'm lost as to how to remedy this situation. I have looked at pics here and the setups I have seen do not have the second piece on the column with the detents. Any other ideas?? Thanks.

Stovebolt

71chevytruckguy · 07-04-2006, 06:12 PM

don't know much about autos, but you could have gotten the linkage rod from a v8 truck, instead of i6 truck. with the 3 on the trees, i6 trucks linkage is longer than the v8 linkage because the trans sits further back. don't know if its the same for autos. chris.

**Smitty** · 07-04-2006, 06:29 PM

I think that you have a manual column there. Because all of my automatics have only one arm coming off of it. My thoughts autos have one rod to the trans to shift gears, manual has two. I think you are working with another manual column. But have been wrong before. When I switched mine it went smooth as silk. Didn't experience the headaches that you are. Hope you figure it out soon.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 07-04-2006, 06:34 PM

71chevytruckguy, I think you have hit on the problem. The rod just needs to be longer. That would solve the whole issue. Smitty, it's definitely an auto column, the guts are different than the ones in the manual column I took out.
Thanks for all the help guys.

Stovebolt

TugOwar · 07-04-2006, 06:51 PM

My auto column looks just like what you describe, with the two pieces. That "detent" piece you describe is what makes it so you have to pull the shift lever toward you when you shift between certain gears. You don't have a manual column.

Only thing I can suggest is make sure the trans is in park and that your linkage is set up like the one in Vets pic above.
Also, I'm thinking there is rod adjustment on the trans end as well as the column end, make sure you gave yourself enough length on the trans end.

If all else fails, hook the rod up on the column end first then get under the truck and scope out things on that end.

**70STOVEBOLT** · 07-05-2006, 08:44 AM

The rod was too short, I need a longer one for an inline 6. I used a piece of allthread and cut it to the proper length and I'm good to go. Thanks to all you guys for your help/info.

Stovebolt

07-04-2006, 10:35 AM	#1
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,257	What am I doing wrong? I installed an automatic in place of a 3 spd manual trans, and the linkage rod that connects the trans linkage to the column lever is too short! Is there some sort of adjustment, or did I reassemble the column incorrectly? I had the column apart to clean it up, make sure nothing was broken, etc. It can only go back together one way, right? I'm lacking about 2 inches for the rod to fit through the hole on the column linkage. I must be overlooking something, but I cannot figure this out. Please help, I need this truck to drive to work tomorrow!! Thanks in advance. Stovebolt __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

07-04-2006, 12:39 PM	#2
Jayss109 Active Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: San Jose, CA Posts: 235	Re: What am I doing wrong? only thing I can think of is this.... Make sure the trans is in the right gear compared to the shifter. Otherwise I havent messed with the columns! Good Luck Jason ttt for ya too ________ Islam Advice Last edited by Jayss109; 04-27-2011 at 11:39 PM.

07-04-2006, 12:45 PM	#3
wibilly Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: northwestern wi Posts: 2,111	Re: What am I doing wrong? i would guess if your trying to use the 3 speed colume and linkage it will need some modifications __________________ common sense isn't so common anymore

07-04-2006, 12:47 PM	#4
VetteVet Msgt USAF Ret Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Kalamazoo, Michigan Posts: 8,709	Re: What am I doing wrong? do you have it like this at the trans. ------------------------------------ Attached Images __________________ VetteVet metallic green 67 stepside 74 corvette convertible 1965 Harley sportster 1995 Harley wide glide Growing old is hell, but it beats the alternative. Last edited by VetteVet; 07-04-2006 at 12:57 PM.

07-04-2006, 12:56 PM	#5
glock35ipsc Next project: 1970 K10 Join Date: Feb 2004 Location: Fort Collins, Colo 80524 Posts: 6,685	Re: What am I doing wrong? Are you using the manual trans steering column, or did you replace it with an auto column? __________________ *Bob* 1970 Chevy K10 LWB "Goldie" 350/TH350 *next project!!* 1981 Chevy C10 LWB 355/TH350 - My son's truck LS SWAP FORUM! Tons of LS swap info here! PLEASE CLICK HERE TO SUPPORT THE GREATEST BOARD ON THE NET! CLICK HERE FOR THE FAQ INDEX by KRUE

07-04-2006, 06:06 PM	#6
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,257	Re: What am I doing wrong? I have an auto column in it. There are 2 pieces that stick out of the column, one that has the eye clamp that holds the rod from the trans, and one that has detents on it for the gears. when the lever inside the truck is in Park, those two pieces on the column are about 2 inches above the rod. I turned the detent lever on the trans all the way the other way and the rod drops even lower. I don't get it. This column is out of a 67 GMC, but that should not make any difference, should it? I'm lost as to how to remedy this situation. I have looked at pics here and the setups I have seen do not have the second piece on the column with the detents. Any other ideas?? Thanks. Stovebolt __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

07-04-2006, 06:12 PM	#7
71chevytruckguy Registered User Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Kernersville, NC Posts: 599	Re: What am I doing wrong? don't know much about autos, but you could have gotten the linkage rod from a v8 truck, instead of i6 truck. with the 3 on the trees, i6 trucks linkage is longer than the v8 linkage because the trans sits further back. don't know if its the same for autos. chris. __________________ its a work in progess. 71 c-10 lwb, in the middle of frame off restoration. 69 c-10 swb, drag truck, 406 sbc, balanced, comp 292 cam, ported, polished, gasket matched, and bowl blended pro comp 210cc heads, 2.02/1.60 ferrea valves,1.6 roller rockers, re curved hei with msd 6al box, 2-step rev limter, accel 300+ wires, ported victor jr intake, holley 750 double pumper carb, dynomax 1 5/8 headers, 4 spd munci m-20 with super case and iron midplate, mr. gasket vertigate shifter, 5.38 pro gears with full spool, 33 spline moser axles and c-clip elimators, line-loc, 5 gal fuel cell, holley blue pump. 7.807 @ 88.37mph 1.60 60FT 80 g-20 van, tow rig, cammed 305, th350, 10 bolt 88 jeep wrangler, dd, 258, ax-15 swap, 4.5" lift, 33x12.50's, lockers, 3.55's

07-04-2006, 06:29 PM	#8
Smitty Senior Member Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Spring Valley, Ca. Posts: 1,109	Re: What am I doing wrong? I think that you have a manual column there. Because all of my automatics have only one arm coming off of it. My thoughts autos have one rod to the trans to shift gears, manual has two. I think you are working with another manual column. But have been wrong before. When I switched mine it went smooth as silk. Didn't experience the headaches that you are. Hope you figure it out soon. __________________ Smitty '71 Short Fleetside Spring Valley, Ca.

07-04-2006, 06:34 PM	#9
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,257	Re: What am I doing wrong? 71chevytruckguy, I think you have hit on the problem. The rod just needs to be longer. That would solve the whole issue. Smitty, it's definitely an auto column, the guts are different than the ones in the manual column I took out. Thanks for all the help guys. Stovebolt __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear

07-04-2006, 06:51 PM	#10
TugOwar Registered User Join Date: Sep 2004 Location: Pleasanton, TX Posts: 1,723	Re: What am I doing wrong? My auto column looks just like what you describe, with the two pieces. That "detent" piece you describe is what makes it so you have to pull the shift lever toward you when you shift between certain gears. You don't have a manual column. Only thing I can suggest is make sure the trans is in park and that your linkage is set up like the one in Vets pic above. Also, I'm thinking there is rod adjustment on the trans end as well as the column end, make sure you gave yourself enough length on the trans end. If all else fails, hook the rod up on the column end first then get under the truck and scope out things on that end.

07-05-2006, 08:44 AM	#11
70STOVEBOLT Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Winona Lake, IN Posts: 6,257	Re: What am I doing wrong? The rod was too short, I need a longer one for an inline 6. I used a piece of allthread and cut it to the proper length and I'm good to go. Thanks to all you guys for your help/info. Stovebolt __________________ 70 C/10 SWB 402/TH400/3.73 "The Needy Beast" 200,000 Mile Club Disc Brake Club Owner installed options: Front Sway Bar Power Steering Power Brakes Cigar Lighter Courtesy Lights Deluxe Side Markers Wiper Delay Power windows Power Locks Sniper EFI 2015 Silverado 1500 LS 4.3/6L80/3.23 lowered 2" front & rear



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