The Ford Barn

flash9376 · 06-21-2018, 06:05 PM

I have a 30 Tudor that I have restored a few years ago and like to tinker around with. There has always been a lot of play in the shifter, it doesn't pop out of gear or anything but it's really wobbly and it's always bugged me. Before i start pulling things apart, I was wondering g if any one knew what is causing this? Is something worn or is the spring lost its tension or what. Any input would beappreciated. Thanks.

Synchro909 · 06-21-2018, 07:09 PM

Compared to modern cars, the Model A gear stick is very long. That being so, you should expect there to appear to be a lot of play at the top. Have you done a comparison with other Model As? If it ain’t broke, don’t diddle with it.

Charlie Stephens · 06-21-2018, 07:23 PM

Comment deleted, I was thinking of the later shift tower.

Charlie Stephens

Terry, NJ · 06-21-2018, 08:19 PM

Mine was so loose it would occassionlly almost go into two gears at once. I fixed it but it ain't easy. The easy way is to buy a rebuilt shift tower (Snyder's Pg A 135, $130) All it takes is money! However they can be rebuilt. It ain't easy! Get it off the trans ( The easy part!) Now study it, how it works, Take picture! There are ball detents to hold the shifter shafts in place, replace them and the springs! The squarish ball on the end of the shift lever should be round. It must be welded and reshaped. I forged mine after welding, but first you have to get the thing apart. That spring can be a SOB to get in and out. It requires special tool. Also available from the dealers. I made mine but I realize not everyone wants to do that. You'll also need a micrometer when shaping the ball. (and it's supposed be round, not squared off as yours probably is. There are more details to this job so if you choose to do it yourself, Keep in touch with progress reports and we'll give you guidance as you go!
Terry

marty in Ohio · 06-22-2018, 08:34 AM

As Terry says, the ball on the end of the shifter may be worn. I had that problem this week as I was having trouble getting into second gear. On mine the round ball had turned into a cube. A friend welded and ground the stick so that it was like new. The ball is supposed to be 1/2 inch in diameter. The hard part is releasing the spring. We used a homemade tool to do the spring. Two hours and so swearing, but now good as new.
Marty

FordTudor1931 · 06-22-2018, 11:33 AM

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It is also possible that the forks are worn. The shifter ball fits into a notch in the forks and that notch can be worn.

I just pulled the tower on my 31 Tudor apart and while the ball was nice and round and .49 inches in diameter, one fork had a notch that was almost 7/8" in the opening allowing for some serious shifter movement. Since you can't buy shifter forks anymore, I had a welder reduce the opening down to .5". Didn't think it was that easy, but it took him a few minutes and he charged me all of $10.

The fix did the trick and I didn't have to remove the shifter spring...!

Terry, NJ · 06-23-2018, 12:40 AM

FWIW, I like to weld and pound the ball into shape. Forging toughens metal. If I had some Casenit or Brownell's I would give it a good case hardening. I would grind it to shape first and then case harden it. I believe it is supposed to be .500 (Fore and aft)the sides can be .490. and the dimension must be held in both the 2nd and 3rd (1st and Rev.) position without any bind. A file is useful here.

PRG999 · 06-23-2018, 05:51 AM

So , with the work involved to restore a shifter, if you don't have the knowledge or the tools is synders rebuilt shifters the way to go?

marty in Ohio · 06-23-2018, 07:08 AM

PRG999,
In my opinion, Snyders is always an excellent choice. They've never steered me wrong. But remember they must have your rebuildable core before they can ship a rebuilt tower out to you.
Marty

chap52 · 06-23-2018, 07:45 AM

i just watched a couple of good videos on You Tube on "rebuilding the Model A shift Tower"
Using two different spring removal tools;

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPDxo8z5V1M

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ZsjS-qlW0

WHN · 06-23-2018, 01:09 PM

I would question the condition of shift tower.

Replaced ours many years ago. Shifts fine, with no question of what gear you are going into. Not loose at all.

It does sometimes take spending of some money to keep these guys going correctly.

FordTudor1931 · 06-23-2018, 06:26 PM

PRG999, if you need a new shifter, Snyder's would do the trick. Rebuilding the transmission tower isn't difficult, except for the shifter spring. If you know how to handle that you are home free, without getting a rebuilt tower from the supplier.

Terry, NJ · 06-23-2018, 07:40 PM

We're getting some good info out to some people who need it Hope it helps!
Terry

06-21-2018, 06:05 PM	#1
flash9376 Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Posts: 35	Play in shifter. I have a 30 Tudor that I have restored a few years ago and like to tinker around with. There has always been a lot of play in the shifter, it doesn't pop out of gear or anything but it's really wobbly and it's always bugged me. Before i start pulling things apart, I was wondering g if any one knew what is causing this? Is something worn or is the spring lost its tension or what. Any input would beappreciated. Thanks.

06-21-2018, 07:09 PM	#2
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,496	Re: Play in shifter. Compared to modern cars, the Model A gear stick is very long. That being so, you should expect there to appear to be a lot of play at the top. Have you done a comparison with other Model As? If it ain’t broke, don’t diddle with it. __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

06-21-2018, 07:23 PM	#3
Charlie Stephens Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Southern California Posts: 7,031	Re: Play in shifter. Comment deleted, I was thinking of the later shift tower. Charlie Stephens Last edited by Charlie Stephens; 06-21-2018 at 07:38 PM.

06-21-2018, 08:19 PM	#4
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Play in shifter. Mine was so loose it would occassionlly almost go into two gears at once. I fixed it but it ain't easy. The easy way is to buy a rebuilt shift tower (Snyder's Pg A 135, $130) All it takes is money! However they can be rebuilt. It ain't easy! Get it off the trans ( The easy part!) Now study it, how it works, Take picture! There are ball detents to hold the shifter shafts in place, replace them and the springs! The squarish ball on the end of the shift lever should be round. It must be welded and reshaped. I forged mine after welding, but first you have to get the thing apart. That spring can be a SOB to get in and out. It requires special tool. Also available from the dealers. I made mine but I realize not everyone wants to do that. You'll also need a micrometer when shaping the ball. (and it's supposed be round, not squared off as yours probably is. There are more details to this job so if you choose to do it yourself, Keep in touch with progress reports and we'll give you guidance as you go! Terry Last edited by Terry, NJ; 06-21-2018 at 08:26 PM.

06-22-2018, 08:34 AM	#5
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 755	Re: Play in shifter. As Terry says, the ball on the end of the shifter may be worn. I had that problem this week as I was having trouble getting into second gear. On mine the round ball had turned into a cube. A friend welded and ground the stick so that it was like new. The ball is supposed to be 1/2 inch in diameter. The hard part is releasing the spring. We used a homemade tool to do the spring. Two hours and so swearing, but now good as new. Marty

06-22-2018, 11:33 AM	#6
FordTudor1931 Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Grand Haven, MI Posts: 95	Re: Play in shifter. Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It is also possible that the forks are worn. The shifter ball fits into a notch in the forks and that notch can be worn. I just pulled the tower on my 31 Tudor apart and while the ball was nice and round and .49 inches in diameter, one fork had a notch that was almost 7/8" in the opening allowing for some serious shifter movement. Since you can't buy shifter forks anymore, I had a welder reduce the opening down to .5". Didn't think it was that easy, but it took him a few minutes and he charged me all of $10. The fix did the trick and I didn't have to remove the shifter spring...!

06-23-2018, 12:40 AM	#7
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Play in shifter. FWIW, I like to weld and pound the ball into shape. Forging toughens metal. If I had some Casenit or Brownell's I would give it a good case hardening. I would grind it to shape first and then case harden it. I believe it is supposed to be .500 (Fore and aft)the sides can be .490. and the dimension must be held in both the 2nd and 3rd (1st and Rev.) position without any bind. A file is useful here.

06-23-2018, 05:51 AM	#8
PRG999 Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Posts: 61	Re: Play in shifter. So , with the work involved to restore a shifter, if you don't have the knowledge or the tools is synders rebuilt shifters the way to go?

06-23-2018, 07:08 AM	#9
marty in Ohio Senior Member Join Date: May 2011 Location: Elyria, Ohio Posts: 755	Re: Play in shifter. PRG999, In my opinion, Snyders is always an excellent choice. They've never steered me wrong. But remember they must have your rebuildable core before they can ship a rebuilt tower out to you. Marty

06-23-2018, 07:45 AM	#10
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,776	Re: Play in shifter. i just watched a couple of good videos on You Tube on "rebuilding the Model A shift Tower" Using two different spring removal tools; https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OPDxo8z5V1M https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E4ZsjS-qlW0

06-23-2018, 01:09 PM	#11
WHN Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Location: Connecticut Shoreline Posts: 1,821	Re: Play in shifter. I would question the condition of shift tower. Replaced ours many years ago. Shifts fine, with no question of what gear you are going into. Not loose at all. It does sometimes take spending of some money to keep these guys going correctly.

06-23-2018, 06:26 PM	#12
FordTudor1931 Member Join Date: Nov 2015 Location: Grand Haven, MI Posts: 95	Re: Play in shifter. PRG999, if you need a new shifter, Snyder's would do the trick. Rebuilding the transmission tower isn't difficult, except for the shifter spring. If you know how to handle that you are home free, without getting a rebuilt tower from the supplier.

06-23-2018, 07:40 PM	#13
Terry, NJ Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bucks Co, Pa Posts: 3,740	Re: Play in shifter. We're getting some good info out to some people who need it Hope it helps! Terry Last edited by Terry, NJ; 06-23-2018 at 07:59 PM.