Inliners International Forums General Discussion Drive Train 3 on the tree worn out??

My 62 Nova has a 230 with 3 on the tree (original stuff shifting mechanics). Got the car driving yesterday but found that shifting from 1st to 2nd was very dificult. The shifter feels very sloppy but sometimes binding and knowing that your in nuteral is not always clear. Most of the time I do not feel the cross over in the "H"(nutural). No problem 1st to rev and 2nd to 3rd. I have used spay lube where the trans. levers exit the the tubes under the hood trying to lube the insides..... not sure it helped at all.
Looking for anything to try before I look at disassembly and wondering how to disassemble if I need to? Relacement parts are at the local junk yard I assume ;-) I have adjusted it several times per the shop manual.

Thanks, Clyde

On my 66, there were rubber and steel bushings in the linkage. These had become sloppy and caused binding and even linkage lock-up. Replacing them should help.

3-on-a-tree Chevys have a long history of this problem.They get sloppy with age...don't we all. I've lost count of the number of times I went under the hood to jerk the levers loose. Bruce is right. Replacing ALL the bushings will help a ton. Also check your clutch adjustment for proper release and as a last resort strip the column and rebuild. There are aftermarket kits available.
Drew

I had the exact same problem on my '68. In some spots there were no bushings. I ordered a complete set along with the retaining clips from Obsolete Chevy in Nashville, GA. It helped 200%. When you first put them in the shifter is REALLY stiff, but it'll relax after about a week or so. That should be your only problem. It also wouldn't hurt to check everything else while you're down there. I have their phone number and parts numbers if you want them. Hope this helps. John.

Ok... Thanks for the help. Sounds like I need to call Obsolete Chevy. What does it take to do the work? Do I have to remove the column from the car? Nothing in the manual.

Clyde

No, nothing that hard. The bushings are for the linkage connections in the engine bay, and the ones at the tranny. There will only be 4 holes that require bushings, but there are actually like 8 bushings for them. It's extremely easy and it'll only take you about 10-15 minutes. That's including adjuasting the shifter afterwards. After you put the bushings in, line up neutral on the shift tube in the engine bay. I'm at work right now, but here is Obsolete Chevy's website www.obschevy.com They are very nice people, I have dealt with them in person and over the phone many times. Let me know if I can help out anymore. John.

BTW, my references are to my '68 C-10. I don't think there will be any difference, but I thought I'd let you know.

[This message has been edited by bigchevy66 (edited 10-27-2003).]

OK... I thought we were talking about stuff inside where the shift levers connect to the shift tube/column. So it is bushings where the rods connect to the column levers and the tranny levers?

Clyde

Yes, I was talking about the bushings on the outside. I just checked their site and they don't list the bushings for the cars or trucks. You're going to have to call them. I can guarantee you they have them for trucks, and I'm pretty sure they have them for cars too. Phone numbers are 1-800-248-8785 or 1-229-686-5812. Or email them at chevy@obschevy.com I hope this helps. John.


[This message has been edited by bigchevy66 (edited 10-27-2003).]

Try www.chevy2only.com

Drew

Ordered bushings from obschevy today. Hope that fixes it. Thanks!

Clyde