VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1946-1948 ONLY HAVE 1st AND Reverse!!!!

The shift linkage under the hood keeps poping out of the channel that its pose to be in so i get stuck in 1 and reveres until i get out pop the hood and pop the linkage back in the channel. anybody know how to fix this? an adjustment? or am i looking to replace some parts?

THANKS!

I'd say try to find some new old stock parts to do this fix , if the problem is in the shifting box on top of the column. I found a new box and an aftermarket insert to make the shifting box more positive all at swap meets.
There is instructions to adjust the shifting rods in the shop manual. However I am not familar with the different ones, I only have 1951 thru 1954 cars to worry about. I always manually shift the levers on the side of the transmission to neutral and be sure that the operating shifting levers on the column are both in the same plane and that the shifting nub on the shifting rod inside the box is in neutral position and that the shifting lever inside the car is also in a good neutral position before I start messing around with linkage changes or adjustments. I have always done this, even before I ever saw a shop manual.

I have a '48 with the vacuum shift removed; couldn't find a vacuum unit, so I went with what I had. I had the same problem you did, and by coincidence, I had purchased a lower shift lever bushing off ebay kinda randomly, because it was so cheap. Start with that lower bushing; you'll need a press to remove and replace it, and make a note of which end is up. (might check upper fit as well). Mine was so worn it was essentially non-existent, and replacing it made all the difference in the world. Once that is tightened up,you can work your way through the linkage, placing washers to take the slop out where needed. Once it is as 'tight' as you can get it, then follow the adjustments in the shop manual. Be sure to have someone (gently) shift it once adjusted, while you are under the car(engine off;>), to make sure your linkage doesn't rub against anything it shouldn't. I had some interference with the throwout lever and clutch linkage, and I removed and bent the arm that bolts on the transmission shifting shafts (I know there is a better name for them)to give me more clearance. Wear was my biggest problem, plus a couple of people who didn't understand the system before me.
You cannot speed shift this transmission without the vacuum assist. You will inevitably hit reverse. You have to find neutral, then ease it into 2nd. "Double Clutching" may not be necessary, but it does force you to pause in neutral before going to second. And make sure all the bolts are tight, too, or it will slowly work its way out of adjustment again-heck it will do that no matter what you do...lol. Good Luck.