3 on tree issue
 

I searched and searched but I cant seem to locate info that might be posted on how a 3 on the tree for a 67 chevy c10 should be put together.

My truck began having problems shifting into reverse and 1st when it started getting cold. Now I am afraid I will break the shifter because it wont shift. I cant even feel what use to feel like the right place to pull on the shifter to put it in 1st or reverse.

Ive soaked the area with wd40 but to no avail and I really dont want to go to a floor shifter....mainly becasue it was my granddads truck and is still stock.

Any help would be appreciated greatly!
Glenn

You have to clean out the bottom of the column and lube it it with some synthetic grease, work it and get as much grease in the tube. That should work....

What I see is something that looks like a hot dog bun with the 2 linkages that are attached to rods that go to the trans. Down this "bun" is a small bolt and nut that clamps it around the column and then below the small bolt and bun seems to be a spring that is wrapped around the column. Where would I do the action you suggest in relation to what I am seeing?

I apprecaite your response!
Glenn

Have someone move the shifter, and you get under the hood on the column and oil anything that moves.

Check the L/R shift lever on the trans. And you're right you don't want to cut a hole in the floor and put in a shifter. Why not fix it right it worked for along time it's just worn, not beyond repair if you know how.
J Y

I sprayed a cleaner and then wd40 on it until there is a small river in the driveway ;)

Still nothing so I got a pair of needle nose vice grips to pinch the two shift leavers together so I can get it into reverse however when I remove the vice grips I can not shift it manually.

Should I just keep spraying and greesing?

Glenn

what about on the tranny end?
 

I used a can of spray white litium grease in my column where the spring and 2 paws(whatchamacallits) that move the linkage...

It should get it moving without too much of a mess.... I wonder...could it be when its cold the springs in there don't put enuff ooompff to get it to catch?

I dont think its on the tranny end becasue I can move it by hand and when using the vise grips can get the whatchamacallit to engage the reverse\1st leaver. This is so frustrating. 32 degrees and Im working on a darn truck!
Glenn :crazy:

last winter i actually broke the end off of my shifter handle.... It was kold! I had to put a new shifter handle as a result of the breakage but before that, I hosed tri-flo where the shifter handle goes onto the column (i removed the handle via the wee roll pin that holds it in) & it was 300% better. It's still stiff at -30C but no breakage will happen now.

Mine did the same thing. I sprayed lube into the column at the steering wheel and let it run all the way out the bottom. I figured the lube wasn't gonna climb "UPHILL", so....Worked like a charm.

My grease was gummed up on the top between the shift socket and column. Remove steering wheel and turn signal unit and wires remove shift lever then the socket. Clean and lube with white gease and you are good to go. Thats most likely where the stiffness is at.

Hey, gotmud, did you get it to work?I live in Marietta (East Snob to those in the Atlanta area)and have solved this problem before.If you don't get it let me know and maybe I can get by to see if I can help.

Thanks for the suggestion man! It does do a world of difference, to the tune of about 300% :lol: While I was removing the roll pin, It popped out, and rolled to the smallest, darkest hole in the truck (Murphy's other law) but when I eventually found it, I also found a small tag with "G.M. 3985490 - Front Cush. - G.S.P. Canada." on it! Must be the part number off the seat, as it looks authentic from 1971.

Anywho, the shifter works great!

I took the suggestions to remove the shifter knob and then sprayed wd40 into the column...since it wouldnt run uphill. :lol:
Put greese in the shifter leavers under the hood near the firewall and now you would be hard pressed to not think it was new.
Thanks for all the input!