57 Fairlane; Sloppy shifting, hangs up between first and second. Replaced the bushings in the connecting rods (shift rods that go down to the transmission). Checked youtube for some help. Found a few videos that were in the park but none really landed where I needed them to.  In my manual, the parts called the "retainer", "washer", "cup", and "tube and socket assembly" (page 3-16 in the Clutch, Transmission and Rear Axle section) seem, like my problem could be located there... significant play there and in the "shift levers".
I'm wondering if a more complete rebuild kit might be available for this section of the shifting mechanism... I would like to keep the 3 on the tree as original... am I doomed to replace it with a floor shift?

any ideas?
thanks, Mark

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

It may just need a linkage adjustment. There are 2 clevises on the shift rods at the bottom of the column that have threaded ends where the adjustment is made. Your shift lever should be roughly horizontal when the trans is in neutral and the clevises should be in the same horizontal plane. If you have a shop manual the procedure is probably laid out there. My '52 manual says to put the lever in the neutral position and remove the cotter pins, flat washers and wavy (spring) washers from the shift rod ends, the pull the rod ends out of the gearshift levers at the bottom of the column. Rotate the clevises as needed to get the ends of the rods into the same plane when the rod ends are assembled to the levers. You should now be able to move the lever through the pattern without binding. If not, keep fiddling with it until you can. If some of the washers are missing they should be replaced. You can also put thin washers where the rods connect to the levers on the trans to take up some slop but don't overdo it. The wavy washers can be had at Lowes or Ace hardware.

did that... still sloppy/loose and hangs up between 2nd and 3rd.

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

http://www.fordification.com/tech/3spd-column_01.htm
This is a truck forum but it has some good info that may help you.

Durham Missouri

Then I'm at a loss. You might try replacing the parts you mentioned at the top of the column but I've never seen those with substantial wear. As I said, the adjustment is kinda fiddly and you may need to play with it some more. Also, there's a zerk fitting at the bottom of the column that likes a squirt once in awhile but is often neglected.

thanks; fully greased; I read that truck forum page already...
guess I'll keep "fiddling" and see if any progress can be had.

as always, thanks for the suggestions!
Mark

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

Usually the problem lies right where your looking. I would put it 1st gear, disconnect the rods at the shift arms, then see how much play is in the arms in relation to the way it moves the rods to shift gears. Have someone hold the shift lever so it doesn't move and do it with both arms. The pin in the shift tube usually wears out the inside of the arms. When you shift from 1st to 2nd when they're worn out the pin doesn't pull the arm up far enough to line up the 2nd/3rd arm and jams up the linkage.

Dan      Kingman Az.      86409

Dan, sounds like you may it pin pointed it... will try and report back.
thanks,Mark

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

wasn't able to pull the whole thing apart... so I just put it all back together.
will tackle the next real problem when it comes along I guess.
thanks,Mark

"God Bless Texas"location: Houston,TX

there is a adjustment at the bottom of the steering column, loosen the bolts that go in the side of the tube and rotate the adjuster to tighten up the arms. there are slots that angle in the tube so you can tighten up the shifting arms. if you adjust the arms just right you can slam shift second every time!

 lincoln/merc. y-blocks &mel's                                                               bucyrus, ohio.