Three on tree and steering refurbish

[Selo]

New here, hope everyone is doing good.

I have a 1984 C10 250 I6 with three on the tree. The column shifting mechanism needed to be cleaned and greased etc and the link between the starter switch and key lock was screwing up to where I could not turn the key enough to engage the starter. SO to make a long story short I found a company that could rebuild/restore the column and all components. I will receive it back next week (Feb 6).

In the mean time, after removing and shipping the column, I noticed a steering box leak and the intermediate shaft and flex coupling could use replacement. So I have a AcDelco reman. box, a new coupling (from Summit)and new intermediate shaft (Borgeson).

Last night I installed the flex coupling and today hope to reinstall the new box and then new Gates PS hoses (Rock Auto). Have had a heck of a time confirming the pitman arm nut size. A 1 5/16" socket seems loose at the parts store and 1 1/4" is too small. I think it is 33mm. The torque setting is 185 ft. lbs. so I don't want to install it with an adjustable wrench.

Typical project creep. Next project is looking for a Muncie three speed used in these model trucks.

JS

 

[richard A lindner]

Good luck on the trans ,i have been looking for one myself. I have an 83 like yours

 

[Charlie]

 

[idahovette]

Hang on to the ps gear. It may be better leaking ,than your new box is. Being a 2 wheel drive ,the new one may be ok. ymmv

 

[bucket]

A 33mm socket is easy to find, due to it being a common truck lugnut size.


Also, I love that you are sticking with the 3 on the tree!

 

[Shorty81]

A 33mm socket is easy to find, due to it being a common truck lugnut size.


Also, I love that you are sticking with the 3 on the tree!

Me too !!!

 

[Selo]

Richard, yeah, you'd think those 3 speeds would be easier to find.

Charlie, thanks for the welcome from way out in Euless.

Idahovette, I'm not sending my original gearbox back for that very reason. I may rebuild it.

Bucket, Might be easy socket to find somewhere, but the local auto parts stores, Tractor supply, HF, Lowe's etc sure don't know it.

To Bucket and Shorty, yeah, I like the six with column shift and just can't bring myself to cut a hole in the floor.

Saw it said the other day, a three-on-the-

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tree is a Millennial theft deterrent device .

Thanks again, I'll keep y'all posted on my progress.

Selo

 

[bucket]

NAPA should have the socket, in their Carlyle brand.

 

[Selo]

Thanks Bucket. I checked Carlyle tools at NAPA and they did not have a 33mm in stock. I did not go to other NAPA stores as I went home and ordered it online with my Amazon Prime. It will be here tomorrow which is good because I made some progress tonight.

I got the gearbox threads chased, then installed the box with new grade 8's. I will torque them when I get everything installed (do you think I should put locktite on them?. Tomorrow I hope to get the new hoses and intermediate shaft installed and the pitman arm nut on. Here are a few pics. The one of bagged hoses is for anyone needing PN's.

The picture of the air filter housing"tube" which connects the air cleaner housing to the grille for cooler air is so far impossible to find. Guess I'm going to have to rig something up.

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Later.

Selo

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[rt66paul]

For what it is worth, the "hole" you would need to cut in the floor is only a slot about 1" wide by maybe 3 1/2". It has been many years since I have put in a shifter, but the cutout needed in the floor is minimal.

 

[DoubleDingo]

For what it is worth, the "hole" you would need to cut in the floor is only a slot about 1" wide by maybe 3 1/2". It has been many years since I have put in a shifter, but the cutout needed in the floor is minimal.

Keeping it stock is way cooler though.

 

[DoubleDingo]

I like what you're doing here. Very nice. Three on tree is a theft deterrent. When I take Crusty Biscuit to get any work done like tires or alignment, I have to drive it for them because they can't wrap their head an H-shift pattern that isn't on the floor.

 

[Selo]

rt66paul, I appreciate the info, but regardless of size I don't want to cut the floor.

Doubledingo, I hear you. It ain't stock but once. The column shift difficulty is hard to understand, I don't remember having any trouble with it in my first three on the tree.

Cheers

 

[Selo]

Update: the pitman arm nut on my 84 C10 is definitely 33mm.

I got the pitman arm started on the gear box shaft and the nut with washer started with no problem. Is it standard procedure to use the nut to push the arm completely on the shaft? I plan to loosen the gearbox mounting bolts a smidge to allow a little wiggle room to help get the arm on the shaft. Pointers would be very appreciated and welcome.

Cheers

Selo

 

[bucket]

Yeah, just run the arm on with the nut.