Hello all, I just bought a 1952 Chevy coupe that has a 235 inline 6 out of a 56 (I think), with a 3 speed column shift, and I am having a really hard time shifting from 2nd to 3rd, I literally have to yank it hard to come out of 2nd. I believe it could be a clutch adjustment issue because when I am at a stop I can easily take it out of 2nd. Any ideas on if I am right, or has anyone ever had this issue?
Sounds like something binding in the shift linkage. Clutch should be all the time and is usually better when moving vs stopped. Adjusting it will not hurt though. The column linkage has a few joints that you should check for wear. Also check engine and mid-mounts, if the engine/trans has moved it may be part of the alignment and binding problem.
I had that problem with a couple of my '49-'52 Chevys. Always got stuck in low. The joints in the column linkage were worn down. Ended up building up material on the knuckles with a welder. That did the job everytime. Posted using the Full Custom H.A.M.B. App!
Yeah, worn linkages are common, as are mis-adjusted linkages due to sagging engine mounts. I fixed my buddy's Dodge shifter adjustment one day for just that reason, and he'd been diddling that shifter to get it in gear for years. After a 60 second adjustment it shifted fine. He looked at me like a turd and said, "You mean I've been fighting that thing for 5 years and you knew what was wrong and never adjusted it for me?" I shrugged & told him, "Well, you never asked me to fix it!" This is the same guy that primed his bike with unreduced hi-build primer and then had to wash the mess all off with thinner & sand it all again. It tried to talk him out of it several times, but he was convinced that the over-priced primer he'd bought was the best thing in the world. Afterwards he was pissed that I hadn't convinced him. I tied not to laugh as he washed $25 a quart primer off on the ground with $12 a gallon thinner.
Two days in and there haven't been any "Beep Beep" / little Nash Ramble jokes yet? Gary http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/the_playmates/beep_beep.html
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