3 on the column help

[65GMCman]

I have done a lot of searching on the web and here and other forums and I still have an issue with my 3 speed column shifter in a 67 C-10. I have found a few good things but the confusing part is all the help I can find says to first line up the "hole" in the shifting levers. Mine are slotted.

Before I started the shifter would binding badly going from 1st to 2 and many times would not come out of 1st gear at all. All other gears worked fine if you get past that.

So I lined them up with a level and made sure they were parallel to each other since I don't have a hole in them. But here's the strange part. You have play in the point in where you line them up and lock the shifting rods down. IOW if looking at this column they can be placed anywhere in the gap in the column (still be even which each other) depending on the amount the rods stick through.

So what I did was made sure the levers were level with each other and then moved them slightly up & down without the transmission coming out of neutral trying to center them in the range. Once I found the "midpoint" I locked both of the shifting rods down using the adjustment points which hold the rods to the forks at the column.

So it's better but still hangs up on occasion from 1 to 2nd. So how do you determine where the rods get set and how that relates to the position of the forks? Should I move the rods up to take out all the slack and then tighten them down?

PS I also replaced all the grommets at both ends of the shafts to remove the slop and lubricated the shifter lever in the cab and everything seems fine. I think it's just the "home" position of the levers I question.

Thanks

[Accelo]

LINKAGE ADJUSTMENT
In cases where the gearshift linkage has been disconnected it should be adjusted as follows:
1. Move both transmission shift levers until transmission is in neutral. Neutral detents in transmission cover must both be engaged to make this adjustment correctly. (To check, start engine with clutch disengaged, and release clutch slowly.)
2. Move selector lever to neutral position. Align first and reverse shifter tube lever with the second and third shifter tube lever on the mast jacket (Fig. 1, View C).
3. Install both control rods on transmission shifter levers and secure with retaining clips (Fig. 1, View A).
4. Place swivel on end of first and reverse shifter control rod and adjust until swivel is in position to enter mast jacket shifter lever hole. Place retaining clamp on swivel, install swivel in Lever hole and secure with swivel nut.
5. hInstall second and third lower rod to frame mounted idler lever (View B).
1. Similarly, install upper second and third shifter control rod as outlined in Step 4 to frame idler (View B). and to mast jacket shifter lever (View
C). (Be sure shifter tube levers remain aligned in neutral.)
7. Move selector lever through all positions to check adjustment and to insure over-travel in all positions.
NOTE: If mast jacket lower dash clamp has been disturbed at its mounting on dash, its adjustment to the steering mainshaft should be checked as outlined in the procedure in Section 4 of this manual.TRANSMISSION
included in the 1961 Passenger Car Shop

[cericd]

Another thing that I've seen here on the forum is when the 3 OTT is too worn to be adjusted. Most times it's due to the shifter tabs (circled in red) being too worn to engage the slot in the part (circled in green). If that's the case, the options are to look for a better 3 OTT column, nos parts, or add some material to those tabs by welding and file them to the correct shape so they will engage properly.

[steveo70]

Originally Posted by cericd

Another thing that I've seen here on the forum is when the 3 OTT is too worn to be adjusted. Most times it's due to the shifter tabs (circled in red) being too worn to engage the slot in the part (circled in green). If that's the case, the options are to look for a better 3 OTT column, nos parts, or add some material to those tabs by welding and file them to the correct shape so they will engage properly.

Couldn't agree more. Welding and filing was the cure for my worn out column.