No gears with non-tilt column (74 k10 w/ th350)

[theblindchicken]

Recently put a body lift on my truck, now the shifter won't engage the transmission.

Prior to body lift, the shifter engaged everything just fine. Immediately after body lift, only was able to select between P R and N. It would not engage Drive, 2nd or 1st even though the shifter could be rotated til about 4-5 o'clock. Engaged Park, Reverse, and Neutral just fine though.

Assumed it was an issue being that the trans linkage had not been lengthened yet. Proceeded to lengthen it the 2" necessary while ensuring the linkage was clocked the same as factory.

Proceeded to reinstall, still had P R N, no D 2 1.

Figured it may need some adjusting, loosened the linkage at the trans, set both the trans and Steering column in Park, then tightened it back up.

No dice. Now the steering column won't engage any gear. Column won't shift without key in ignition, but selecting a gear doesn't translate to the tab or linkage. Steering column shifter can be set anywhere, and the trans can still be engaged by manually rotating the steering shaft tab to select the gear.


No problem with trans, only with steering column. Guessing the shift tube is busted. Where can I find a new one? Or is it easier to get another column?

 

[chengny]

Figured it may need some adjusting, loosened the linkage at the trans, set both the trans and Steering column in Park, then tightened it back up.

Try adjusting it again.

This time (after loosening the locking bolt at the transmission end of the linkage) rotate the transmission shift lever fully clockwise to the "P" position and then rotate it CCW two clicks to the neutral detent.

Go up to the column gear shift lever and rotate the lever until you feel it drop into neutral gate notch. Do not use indicator pointer as a reference to position shift lever.

Go back down to the transmission shift lever and tighten the locking bolt.

 

[theblindchicken]

Appreciate the added info. I'll give it a whirl after class today.

My biggest concern is that the shifter doesn't seem to engage the shift tab:

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[theblindchicken]

Seems more and more like its a busted shift tube.

Took the linkage loose at the trans bracket. Was able to go between gears with no issue. Full movement at the linkage tab on the steering column. Set it in neutral, set the trans in neutral by hand, and tightened them both back together. Went to shift through the gears.... no dice. No movement transferred. Dad said it was slightly wiggling when going back and forth through the gears.


Looks like its busted somewhere between the shift lever and the linkage.

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[Rusty Nail]

"the neutral detent"

 

[theblindchicken]

Taking a look at the shift tubes that some other trucks use, it appears that there's a key race on the tube that locks the shift tab in sync with the column shifter.

Basic knowledge always states that a part will always fail at the point where all the force and torque is applied, i.e. the key race/shift tab. Is the race cast/machined with the shift tube or is it separately pressed in with the tab slipped over it and held in place via the spring and/or lock nut?

 

[chengny]

I was wondering how you were coming along with this.

In addition to the keyed interface between the shift tube and the gear shift bowl, there appears to be another - even weaker - group of couplings integral with the shift tube itself:

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I don't know how many plastic couplings there are or exactly where they are located, but I took an educated guess and circled possible locations in blue. The red tracers depict the key and keyway:

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Parts list for above:

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Assembly instructions. Note step 10:

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[theblindchicken]

As always, @chengny;, greatly appreciate you taking the time to help out.

I've gotta focus on school at the moment, so not much free time in getting the truck rolling right now. Definitely been trying to find ANY part number for the shifter tube/shaft, and that's so far been a no go. Doesn't seem to be that anywhere has part numbers listed for these.

 

[chengny]

As always, @chengny;, Definitely been trying to find ANY part number for the shifter tube/shaft, and that's so far been a no go. Doesn't seem to be that anywhere has part numbers listed for these.

P/N for Gear shift tube (no. 30 above) = 7814357. Not too hard to find. Here is the first one I checked - NOS/NIB for $95:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NOS-1973-19...B-STRNG-COLM-SHIFT-TUBE-7814357-/351823800669

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Just from what I can see in the dwgs, the shift tube appears to be the problem. I would hold off on the steering shaft (no. 38 above) as it doesn't seem to be involved in gear selection.

 

[HotRodPC]

For me, it would be a good excuse to buy a B&M Quicksilver ratchet shifter. There's others that are cheaper too if you want to go with that bigger expense, but I sure liked the Quicksilver for racing.

 

[theblindchicken]

Appreciate all the help. Would definitely prefer the stock shifter column. Guess gotta tear it down soon to double check what the actual issue is.

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[bucket]

That's a 3-on-the-tree column with one of the levers removed, not a proper auto column.

 

[HotRodPC]

That's a 3-on-the-tree column with one of the levers removed, not a proper auto column.

AHA, I thought so too. I thought I was losing my mind so I didn't suggest that cuz I figured OP would have known that already. So what happened, he just lost the hook on that lug. Nothing broke.

 

[bucket]

AHA, I thought so too. I thought I was losing my mind so I didn't suggest that cuz I figured OP would have known that already. So what happened, he just lost the hook on that lug. Nothing broke.

It had to have been fastened somehow, maybe with glue or a tack weld or something. Otherwise the shifter would always have to be held the one way to keep it engaged.

That sleeve at the end of the column can be rotated to take up the slack so the lug won't skip past the levers, but I don't know if there's enough travel in it to make up for the missing lever.

 

[HotRodPC]

True. But it's still a game changer. Rather than buy parts that won't fit that column and try to repair it, TBC is better off to find another Auto Column. There are currently 2 guys with 83 or older trucks converting to MFS 84 and up columns. Maybe he can get one of their columns.