Trans linkage/trans trouble - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

judgemint · 07-19-2009, 02:27 AM

Hi guys. I have a 1966 Chev, 283 ( i believe Saginaw) 3 on the tree. The problem is.. every once in a while while shifting, (Usually when shifting down) the shifter gets stuck. It gets stuck in what SEEMS to be the neutral position of the shift lever, But the tyranny is in 3rd gear and you cant move the shift lever anywhere. When this happens you have to pop the hood and grab the shift linkage from the top, and pull back and forth till it comes free. Then good to go. this just happened to me again. I got it loose But know im having a hard time getting it in to reverse and staying there. When I drove it after i freed the linkage when i went to 3rd it didn't fully engage in gear. it acted as if it where in neutral . This truck has always had a history of doing this, But we always just pulled on the linkage and it would be good to go. But I think its getting worse. This truck is my moms and just used to go to the dump, so its not used a lot. But its time to figure this out. Could this be the linkage? Or the tyranny?? I'm thinking tyranny Because if I remember correctly the linkage was replaced years ago because of this problem. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated

jame · 07-19-2009, 10:24 AM

Check the shift linkage bushings. I had this problem 15 years ago. Had a machine shop make new bushings from steel pin material and the current owner states it still shifts great. If it has been run this way for years the linkage arms may have grooves worn in them causing only partial engagement. May have to build them back up or find a better set.

joe231 · 07-19-2009, 11:18 AM

the components wear and create slop. it needs a rebuild

70 Suburban · 07-19-2009, 11:46 AM

its the linkage. Mine did it for years.. eather rebuild it or slow your shifting till you rebuild it

Alan's Classic · 07-19-2009, 09:09 PM

Check out this LINKY. On the top left of the pages are some bushings for the shift linkage. I have not personnally ordered or used them, but I believe that will cure the problem.

judgemint · 07-20-2009, 01:45 AM

Thanks guys. I looked under the hood today, and the linkage closest to the firewall doesn't seem to have any bushing at all in it. So thats probably the culpret

07-19-2009, 02:27 AM	#1
judgemint Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spokane wa Posts: 16	Trans linkage/trans trouble Hi guys. I have a 1966 Chev, 283 ( i believe Saginaw) 3 on the tree. The problem is.. every once in a while while shifting, (Usually when shifting down) the shifter gets stuck. It gets stuck in what SEEMS to be the neutral position of the shift lever, But the tyranny is in 3rd gear and you cant move the shift lever anywhere. When this happens you have to pop the hood and grab the shift linkage from the top, and pull back and forth till it comes free. Then good to go. this just happened to me again. I got it loose But know im having a hard time getting it in to reverse and staying there. When I drove it after i freed the linkage when i went to 3rd it didn't fully engage in gear. it acted as if it where in neutral . This truck has always had a history of doing this, But we always just pulled on the linkage and it would be good to go. But I think its getting worse. This truck is my moms and just used to go to the dump, so its not used a lot. But its time to figure this out. Could this be the linkage? Or the tyranny?? I'm thinking tyranny Because if I remember correctly the linkage was replaced years ago because of this problem. Any help or info would be greatly appreciated Last edited by judgemint; 07-19-2009 at 02:30 AM.

07-19-2009, 10:24 AM	#2
jame Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: gravois mills missouri Posts: 47	Re: Trans linkage/trans trouble Check the shift linkage bushings. I had this problem 15 years ago. Had a machine shop make new bushings from steel pin material and the current owner states it still shifts great. If it has been run this way for years the linkage arms may have grooves worn in them causing only partial engagement. May have to build them back up or find a better set.

07-19-2009, 11:18 AM	#3
joe231 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2007 Location: Palmer, Alaska Posts: 13,821	Re: Trans linkage/trans trouble the components wear and create slop. it needs a rebuild __________________ *CHEVY ONLY*

07-19-2009, 11:46 AM	#4
70 Suburban Rods Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Bryan, TX Posts: 1,398	Re: Trans linkage/trans trouble its the linkage. Mine did it for years.. eather rebuild it or slow your shifting till you rebuild it __________________ Just keepin it simple. 1965 C-10 Ext cab build. 350??(Does it count at 2 truck if I had to cut one up?) 1966 C-10 lwb 283 auto 1970 Suburban in pieces 1971 Blazer 4wd....restore someday. all factory CST 1972 Blazer 4wd parts truck still a roller 1972 GMC Sierra Grandee 1998 Chevy ext driver. 2005 F**D the wife drive...(cant fix women)

07-19-2009, 09:09 PM	#5
Alan's Classic 1 thing at a time is progress. Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Ball Ground GA Posts: 5,511	Re: Trans linkage/trans trouble Check out this LINKY. On the top left of the pages are some bushings for the shift linkage. I have not personnally ordered or used them, but I believe that will cure the problem. __________________ Alan Philippians 2:14-16 Alan's Classic Facebook page. North Georgia Group Project 1965 Vitamin C-10 1995 GMC Sierra K1500 The "Wrecker"

07-20-2009, 01:45 AM	#6
judgemint Registered User Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: spokane wa Posts: 16	Re: Trans linkage/trans trouble Thanks guys. I looked under the hood today, and the linkage closest to the firewall doesn't seem to have any bushing at all in it. So thats probably the culpret



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