3 Speed on Da Tree

Does anyone know where to find the shift pattern for a 51 Chevy ..3 speed on the Tree.... I cant seem to find Third......I did get it one time going very slow.. Went from 1st to 3rd..trying to find it.. Of course it almost died.. I cant seem to get third after second...I'm more concerned the is a mechanical issue...I've driven and operated everything on earth.. So a three speed tricking me, is frustraaaating... ...Any help would be great....

 

It's no different than every other 3 speed, a simple H pattern. Low and high are at the two bottom legs of the H and reverse and second are at the top two legs.

Sounds like your linkage is messed up or misadjusted. Maybe even something internal in the transmission. Third (high) is straight down from 2nd.

Don

 

Check to see it linkage is hitting on something. 2nd and high use the same lever

 

OOOOOOhhhh...HAH... I've been starting out in second then..Duh....

 

Ive been starting up/then strait down/then wondering why I couldn't go up towards me then down to third...Thanks

 

Well...Im now wondering why the gears seem to top me out at about 50 to 55 mph.. I have a 57 motor and trans.. and a 50 rear end... This doesn't seem right..

 

Yep, down and away would be the spot to find 3rd. Those linkages get pretty sloppy after 50 or 60 years. You'll have to check (and either tighten or replace) the linkage connectors - start on the column and work your way to the ******. Nothing wrong with a well tuned column shifter. Don't fall for the guys that'll say "put a floor shift in it!" Doesn't belong in that lil fastback of yours.

 

3rd is down and towards the dash. My 51 seemed like it was revving pretty high at about 60mph but I put a taco on to see and it was a little bit under 3000 rom at 60mph.

 

What he said. Follow the steering column down to the levers/shift rods and move them by hand. They should click nicely into the gears. Once you know how they should shift, have someone cycle through the gears and watch for the lever/rod that is not adjusted properly. There probably is a little box with a removable cover and lots of grease inside. You may have to open it up and look for trouble if adjusting the rods doesn't help.

 

That old Chevy probably has a 4.11 rear end ratio and it would seem topped out at 55 or 60mph....

 

Damn i type slow.. You got three posts in after I started-
6 cyl ? and possibly 411 rear gears. might be why


My Uncle claims a three on the tree is all he needs to deter against the theft of his car. Most thieves aren't capable of operating a regular manual trans, much less one you have to learn to hum a waltz between shifting gears on.

 

I must be old................

 

As already indicated check the linkage. The linkage in those cars is notorious for hanging up, but mostly from 1st to 2nd. It is an easy adjustment. We were continuously knocking them out of adjustment back in the 50's by trying to speed shift them.

 

You fellas down under crack me up! A Taco?? LMAO!!

It's okay, I caught myself saying "dizzy" the other day, thanks to you guys.

 

The full pressure engines in good shape will cruise all day down the road at 3500 no prob. Put a 3.55 rear out of a 53-54 PG car to cut the revs down some.

 

There is no way you can have a 57 motor and trans with a 50 rear end,the 57 motor will bolt up to the original bellhousing so I would bet it still has the original trans unless someone has come up with a way to adapt it that I dont know about.

 

wtf

 

Kids "ha"

 

I was thinking the same thing,,we didn't have anything but 3 speeds when I learned to drive. HRP

 

You must be pretty young. Don't feel dumb. I don't know how to par***ion my hard drive...but I bet you do.

 

Where's a 60 year old driving instructor when you need one? ..been there done that

 

I knew how to drive a 3 speed when I was 10 so whats up with the younger generation today.

 

I bet I'm not the only one here who taught all his Girlfriends to shift so we wouldn't have to take our right arm from around her to do it. Some of them got pretty good at it and could speed shift too.

Ah, the memories.

Don

 

Thanks All... I went back outside and shifted it with the Proper Pattern ..and it Shifted like a dream.... But still only 55mph and Im topped out... I don't wanna blow it up..so I didn't push it... The rear end is a Stock 1950...so I'm not sure of the gearing..Im happy at crusin at 55... Its a town driver anyway .. I wont be touring in it..

 

hayoooo....:d

 

I drive Semis and Now rum 500 ton Cranes (Put up Giant Windmills )...I could thread a needle with my crane hook.. But I was thrown by the oldie... ..Thanks all..

 

So is 3k rpm to high for these old motors...Or is it ok..???

 

I don't know. My 27 runs at 3000 going 60, but that on a modern high revving motor with deep gears. These older cars were driven at a time when 50 mph or so was about the top speed a lot of roads would allow you to go. As super highways came about gear ratios and engines changed to make the cars able to cruise at higher speeds.

Some cars, like the 50 Fords, came with overdrives that you could engage to allow the car to run at higher speeds without straining the motor.

Don

 

well I feel better hearing you say that.. My opinion was the same...these cars weren't meant to drive fast in the 50's... 45 50 55 was the legal limit...I just wanted some piece of mind.. 3000rpm is what im guesing im running at at 55mph.. My 54 buick didn't run on the hwy my different too..Im gonna throw a Tac in... This was just the first trip since the build.. Thanks a lot...

 

A little off subject but how did you hook up a 57 trans to a 50 rear end?