Henry's Deadly Spring

[Diastole]

To all or anyone,

Why is the Transmission Tower Shifting Spring (A-7227) affectionally called "Henry's Deadly Spring"?

Thanks,
Diastole in the Smoky Mountains

[Richard in Anaheim CA]

I have never heard that expression before.

However, it was common knowledge in the late 1940's and into the 1950's that you could pull the shift lever up out of the detent and push it up under the dash while driving while allowing more "digital" adventures when transporting your date.

I could only imagine what would happen if the keeper on the shift lever came out while driving and performing those games, so I amused myself with other adventures.

Richard
Anaheim Ca.

[Ordsgt]

To remove the shift lever from the transmission tower requires you remove the spring keeper to remove the spring. Using the wrong tool or using it incorrectly may result in the spring flying out. It is under high tension and could cause injury if released. I doubt it could cause death but I guess under the right circumstances who knows

[Ayers1]

However, it was common knowledge in the late 1940's and into the 1950's that you could pull the shift lever up out of the detent and push it up under the dash while driving while allowing more "digital" adventures when transporting your date.

Back in the 70's when we were on tours my parents would swap places by moving the shifter to the side. Always fun to see people's reactions when they saw them swap seats! Lol

[Vic in E-TN]

It is easy to safely remove the spring. I have rebuilt the small ball at the bottom of the shifter by welding and filing. It is not expensive to buy a new chromed one. There is a special tool for replacing the spring. I probably still have it somewhere.


Vic

[David in San Antonio]

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Several people told me they often rotated the shift lever to get it out of the way. Having read every post on the Model A part of Ford Barn (around the time I got my car) I knew this to be a symptom of wear to the mechanism in the shift tower. One guy earnestly instructed me that it was designed to do this. I held my peace and he went away, happy he could teach a newbie one more fascinating aspect of the Model A.

[The Master Cylinder]

I was told they used to pull up on the shifter, rotate it and lock it to the e-brake as a theft deterrent.

[nkaminar]

Back in the 1950's I used to pull up the sift lever and rotate it out of the way. But I am a little scared to do that on my Mitchell transmission. Has anyone done that on a Mitchell transmission?

[richard crow]

my father told me maney years ago he did this when he had agirl frend .it made spooning e.z.e r

[Fullraceflathead]

Dangerous maybe but I wouldn't consider it deadly Henry's deadly spring to me would be the rear spring on the axle that 1's definitely potentially deadly!!!

[Big hammer]

Originally Posted by nkaminar

Back in the 1950's I used to pull up the sift lever and rotate it out of the way. But I am a little scared to do that on my Mitchell transmission. Has anyone done that on a Mitchell transmission?

Yes I did to facilitate removal of my floor mat , then rotated it back into place. When it was time for testing the transmission was in to gears OPS ! Had to remove the floorboard and the shifter tower, I asked myself how could this happen??? I will not do this again on purpose ! With an original transmission I haven’t had any issues.

[Bob Bidonde]

There are 2 dangerous springs in the Model "A", and they need special attention when restoring / rebuilding / servicing them. These springs are the A-7227 Gear Shift Lever Spring and the A-5560 Rear Spring Assembly on the rear axle. Both of these springs can cause severe bodily harm to the careless Model Aer. I urge you all to use the special tools to cope with these springs including a spring spreader & a gear shift lever spring compression tool.

While we are in the danger zone, never run an original A-8600 2-Blade Fan or any of the 1930s vintage 4-blade fans because their remaining fatigue life is unknown and these fans will throw their blades off. God forbid you are in the way of a departing fan blade.

Never use or trust an original A-17080-B Ratchet Jack because they have been known to collapse without warning.