If you own a Model A and work on it yourself you must enjoy the feeling of accomplishment that comes with a job well done like I do. Here's a small project that is not hard to do and will make removal and replacement of the shift handle safe and easy.
There are a number of good videos on the subject of rebuilding the sift tower so I won't get into the details of that. In a couple of them I saw a simple tool being used to remove the spring that holds the shifter handle in. it's a VERY stout spring so a lot of care should be taken in it's removal and replacement.
I bought a 15" long piece of 1 1/4" steel pipe at Lowes. In a chop saw I made a cut half way through about 1 1/2" up from one end. Then I cut a 3/4" washer in half and ground a knife edge to the cut end and the inner radius of the hole. The washer was then inserted into the cut in the pipe and welded in place.
I then positioned the pipe in the cut-off saw again to make a cut 4 inches from the same end but 180 degrees from the first cut. You can check for the proper alignment by looking through the pipe as it is positioned in the cut-off saw vise. The washer wants to be on the bottom.
Using a hand grinder with a cut-off wheel two cuts were made to remove the "back side" of the pipe. This can be seen readily in the pictures. The tool is ready to use. IT'S IMPRTANT THAT THE HANDLE, NOT THE HOUSING, BE SECURED IN A VISE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT WHILE USING THE TOOL.
To use, slide that tool over the end of the shift handle. The knife edge of the washer is jammed into the spring as near to the top as possible. The tool is then pressed down to expose the retainer washer for removal. HINT: my vise is positioned such that I could use a 2X4 as a lever to help compress the spring.
I found that the addition of a hose clamp below the washer helps retain the spring while putting it back in place. It wants to leave for the moon if not contained.
It's a lot easier and not much more expensive to buy the tool ready to use from Mike's Afordable parts. But you'd miss the fun of making it.
There are a number of good videos on the subject of rebuilding the sift tower so I won't get into the details of that. In a couple of them I saw a simple tool being used to remove the spring that holds the shifter handle in. it's a VERY stout spring so a lot of care should be taken in it's removal and replacement.
I bought a 15" long piece of 1 1/4" steel pipe at Lowes. In a chop saw I made a cut half way through about 1 1/2" up from one end. Then I cut a 3/4" washer in half and ground a knife edge to the cut end and the inner radius of the hole. The washer was then inserted into the cut in the pipe and welded in place.
I then positioned the pipe in the cut-off saw again to make a cut 4 inches from the same end but 180 degrees from the first cut. You can check for the proper alignment by looking through the pipe as it is positioned in the cut-off saw vise. The washer wants to be on the bottom.
Using a hand grinder with a cut-off wheel two cuts were made to remove the "back side" of the pipe. This can be seen readily in the pictures. The tool is ready to use. IT'S IMPRTANT THAT THE HANDLE, NOT THE HOUSING, BE SECURED IN A VISE TO PREVENT MOVEMENT WHILE USING THE TOOL.
To use, slide that tool over the end of the shift handle. The knife edge of the washer is jammed into the spring as near to the top as possible. The tool is then pressed down to expose the retainer washer for removal. HINT: my vise is positioned such that I could use a 2X4 as a lever to help compress the spring.
I found that the addition of a hose clamp below the washer helps retain the spring while putting it back in place. It wants to leave for the moon if not contained.
It's a lot easier and not much more expensive to buy the tool ready to use from Mike's Afordable parts. But you'd miss the fun of making it.
