Bending shifter lever

austin

austin

Junior Member
I"m 6 ft 3 and have always had problems with the shifter lever getting in the way of the pedals when shifting into first. In the past I have just heated the lower part of the shifter and bent it to the right about 6 inches at the top. This time when I did this, on a new transmission, after 900 miles the shifter became "floating". When in 3rd I can move the shifter to the right untill it hits the dash. I was under the opinion that this was a solid rod?? I can still shift throught the gears but it's un-nerveing to have the shifter "floating". Has any one had this problem? Or have any ideas? Thanks
 
Sounds like the pin at the top of the shift tower is damaged, or the retaining spring is broke, or the clip is out that holds the spring in place. Regardless, I think you need to go thru (Repair/Restore) the shift tower to correct the problem.
 
Hi Bob, there is actually a seperation (crack) at the bottom of the rod where it comes out of the transmission. When I turn the shifter to the right, only the "upper" part of the shifter turns. I pull up on it and it doesn't pull up (thank goodness). :(
 
I would get that tower apart before it completley separates and the spring launches the bottom piece into your transmision gears! Sounds like its separated at the pin on one side?
 
wierd. I have built up several shift levers, used a mig, and then a file.
Seems like the Model A is always teaching us new stuff. Yesterday I had a dead short that developed after starting and moving the A 20 feet. Had to get help with that one. I'm better with mechanical issues than with electrical. The short was the ignition switch being loose on the instrument panel. I had replaced a gas gage float.
 
austin said:
Hi Bob, there is actually a seperation (crack) at the bottom of the rod where it comes out of the transmission. When I turn the shifter to the right, only the "upper" part of the shifter turns. I pull up on it and it doesn't pull up (thank goodness). :(
Click to expand...

That doesn't sound possible unless it's ready to snap off the next time you do that. It sounds like you are saying the lever will ROTATE counterclockwise. If so it should also rotate clockwise. If not it would sound like a problem with the pin as Bob said PLUS some damage to the shift tower casting near the pin seat.

If your lever has not be replated with the spherical cover in place then that cover should still be movable. If you can slide the spherical cover up off it's seat (it's a light press fit), it should expose the problem.
 
Hi Marco, the "seperation" on the shifter is about 1 1/2 inches above the spherical cover. The shifter rod below the seperation only moves only when you are shifting and if I'm careful the top portion will follow. Once I am in gear I can rotate to "upper" section counterclockwise and back clockwise to my last gear location. It acts like the upper section fits over the lower section and my heating that area has caused weakness in the weld of the two shafts. It's the strangest thing that I have encountered. I am waiting for the transmission supplier to get back with me, but I was wondeing if anyone on the forum has had this experience? Thanks for all your comments.
 
It sounds like you have a new repop shifter lever not an original. I personally know of two identical failures like yours. It seems whoever is making the repop shifter levers is making them in two pieces not one piece like the original. The two pieces are "welded" together and it is that weld that is failing. Too bad the manufacturer couldn't afford a certified welder! My suggestion is find an original, build up the bottom ball then chrome plate and it will last your lifetime. It will cost more than the $39.95 for the repop but sometimes you get what you pay for, sad but true. Henry said it many times, beware of "GYP" parts!!!
 
An old time mechanic showed me that when the car was stopped and not running, that I could pull up on the shift tower and swivel the gearshift lever over towards and touching the gas tank. He said it works great when you are at the park with your best girl in the front seat as it gives you more leg and knee room. Try it, put the car in neutral, pull straight up on the gearshift, and swivel it!
 
Jim, I remember that trick well----from my first Model A, lol. That was almost 50 years ago. At nearly 70, I no longer need that foolishness! :) Besides it doesn't
work on my T-5 ******.

Jack
 
What's the olde folk saying?? "When the going gets weird, the weird start looking for repro parts in the mix"...or something like that.
 
I just got off the phone with Steve at Mitchell and he is going to send me a new tower and I will return the one with the "spinning" gear shift. He said that the repo shifter is a two piece that is threaded and welded. I guess I hit the right/wrong spot when I heated the shifter to relocate it. It is comforting to do business with a company that stands behind their product even though it was me that heated the shaft. I am enjoying my new Mitchell synchro transmission and I think my engine loves it too. A good ending to a minor problem. :)
 
Not sure where I bought it, but I heated up a new shifter with my propane torch until it was beginning to glow and then bent it a tad into Jan's territory. Works well for tall guys with smaller wives.
The one I replaced had been cut off below the level of the seat bottom and rethreaded for the shifter ball. It was out of the way, too, but my arms weren't quite long enough. I like the curb-side bend best ... and my "best girl" hasn't complained!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top