The Ford Barn

SofaKing · 05-08-2016, 08:19 AM

Brief search of topic, no joy. I now have a 36 car transmission in my 39 pu. I have not installed seat yet, I am wondering if the shift lever/arm can be bent cold to clear the seat if required? I don't have a decent torch and I don't want to crack it. Thanks.

codeplus · 05-08-2016, 08:39 AM

I recently had to rebend one in my project. I heated it,bent it to where I wanted it and sent it in to have it rechromed.

JSeery · 05-08-2016, 09:05 AM

Might consider having some bend it for you that has the equipment.

Kube · 05-08-2016, 09:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SofaKing

Brief search of topic, no joy. I now have a 36 car transmission in my 39 pu. I have not installed seat yet, I am wondering if the shift lever/arm can be bent cold to clear the seat if required? I don't have a decent torch and I don't want to crack it. Thanks.

They are simply cold rolled steel and do not need to be heated to bend. heating to a red glow may make the bend easier and nicer, but (heat) not necessary.

Charlie ny · 05-08-2016, 09:09 AM

SK,
I wouldn't do it cold.......if you or a buddy has a Bernzeomatic map gas torch
that will work....wait for a very dull red glow....make your bend........don't quench
Charlie ny

Tinker · 05-08-2016, 10:07 AM

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I've bent a few, non-chrome ones, with just a press and some wood. No heat. Slight curve adjustment, Worked fine, no issues and looked nice.

Y-Blockhead · 05-08-2016, 10:23 AM

Good morning. I recently bent the shifter in my Model A to give me a little more knee room between the shift knob and steering wheel.

I fabbed up this "tool" to cold bend it (in the car). Slide the shift lever thru the eye bolts and tighten the large blue nut.

Easy and no damage to shift lever. Maybe something similar can work for you.

Juergen · 05-08-2016, 10:24 AM

I have bent and straightened them cold. Just as in bending brake lines, it works best if you have a curved piece of the same curvature you want as a mandrel to bend against.

Ole Don · 05-08-2016, 10:31 AM

I have gas welded the tip and the slot, then cleaned them up with a hand file. Really tightens the up. The wood tool above looks like the slick ticket if you don't have a torch.

SofaKing · 05-08-2016, 08:52 PM

Thanks everyone, hopefully I won't have to do anything. I have a metal bending tool that is more than capable of bending it if required.

05-08-2016, 08:19 AM	#1
SofaKing Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 756	Are shifter levers heat treated? Brief search of topic, no joy. I now have a 36 car transmission in my 39 pu. I have not installed seat yet, I am wondering if the shift lever/arm can be bent cold to clear the seat if required? I don't have a decent torch and I don't want to crack it. Thanks.

05-08-2016, 08:39 AM	#2
codeplus Junior Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: Northeastern Mn. Posts: 25	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? I recently had to rebend one in my project. I heated it,bent it to where I wanted it and sent it in to have it rechromed.

05-08-2016, 09:05 AM	#3
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? Might consider having some bend it for you that has the equipment.

05-08-2016, 09:09 AM	#5
Charlie ny BANNED Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 3,019	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? SK, I wouldn't do it cold.......if you or a buddy has a Bernzeomatic map gas torch that will work....wait for a very dull red glow....make your bend........don't quench Charlie ny Last edited by Charlie ny; 05-08-2016 at 09:11 AM. Reason: replaced don't with I would'nt

05-08-2016, 10:07 AM	#6
Tinker Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: MN Posts: 7,063	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) I've bent a few, non-chrome ones, with just a press and some wood. No heat. Slight curve adjustment, Worked fine, no issues and looked nice.

05-08-2016, 10:23 AM	#7
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,945	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? Good morning. I recently bent the shifter in my Model A to give me a little more knee room between the shift knob and steering wheel. I fabbed up this "tool" to cold bend it (in the car). Slide the shift lever thru the eye bolts and tighten the large blue nut. Easy and no damage to shift lever. Maybe something similar can work for you. Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 05-08-2016 at 10:38 AM.

05-08-2016, 10:24 AM	#8
Juergen Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 510	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? I have bent and straightened them cold. Just as in bending brake lines, it works best if you have a curved piece of the same curvature you want as a mandrel to bend against.

05-08-2016, 10:31 AM	#9
Ole Don Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: St. Michael, Minnesota Posts: 1,713	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? I have gas welded the tip and the slot, then cleaned them up with a hand file. Really tightens the up. The wood tool above looks like the slick ticket if you don't have a torch.

05-08-2016, 08:52 PM	#10
SofaKing Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Salt Lake City, Utah Posts: 756	Re: Are shifter levers heat treated? Thanks everyone, hopefully I won't have to do anything. I have a metal bending tool that is more than capable of bending it if required.