The Ford Barn

alexiskai · 03-11-2019, 01:10 PM

I've seen a lot of discussion about repairing a worn shift lever ball, and the assumption always seems to be that one would weld it up and then grind it down to .490. Has anyone tried cutting the ball out and replacing it with a 1/2-inch bearing?

I ask because I'll be paying a machine shop to do this job, so time is money. If replacing the ball is viable, and faster than welding and grinding, that might be the way to go. On the other hand, if having a spherical shape is not actually the important thing, maybe the traditional way would be best.

I guess I'm trying to figure out what I should tell the machine shop their goal is. Thanks everyone.

Tom Endy · 03-11-2019, 01:18 PM

The attached article may be of help. We made a jig that attaches to a grinding wheel to grind the ball after it was welded. We were able to do a number of them very quickly.

Tom Endy

alexiskai · 03-11-2019, 01:31 PM

This is cool, is there a reference for the correct dimensions for the shifting fork slots?

Joe K · 03-11-2019, 03:44 PM

I think you can examine your existing slots and find the "unworn" portion to make gauge to. The handle tends to set at certain positions while operating - and these become more worn than the rest.

In my case I had a choice of several transmissions to take the slots out of - so I chose the best.

In your case, if you're engineering both ball and slot, you may do well to expand the slot slightly and expand the ball to match.

Joe K

denniskliesen · 03-11-2019, 06:51 PM

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Usually if a 1/2" washer will go over it as a gauge for finish size.

03-11-2019, 01:10 PM	#1
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,354	Options for repairing shift lever ball I've seen a lot of discussion about repairing a worn shift lever ball, and the assumption always seems to be that one would weld it up and then grind it down to .490. Has anyone tried cutting the ball out and replacing it with a 1/2-inch bearing? I ask because I'll be paying a machine shop to do this job, so time is money. If replacing the ball is viable, and faster than welding and grinding, that might be the way to go. On the other hand, if having a spherical shape is not actually the important thing, maybe the traditional way would be best. I guess I'm trying to figure out what I should tell the machine shop their goal is. Thanks everyone.

03-11-2019, 01:31 PM	#3
alexiskai Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2018 Location: Mebane NC Posts: 2,354	Re: Options for repairing shift lever ball This is cool, is there a reference for the correct dimensions for the shifting fork slots?

03-11-2019, 03:44 PM	#4
Joe K Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Cow Hampshire Posts: 4,188	Re: Options for repairing shift lever ball I think you can examine your existing slots and find the "unworn" portion to make gauge to. The handle tends to set at certain positions while operating - and these become more worn than the rest. In my case I had a choice of several transmissions to take the slots out of - so I chose the best. In your case, if you're engineering both ball and slot, you may do well to expand the slot slightly and expand the ball to match. Joe K __________________ Shudda kept the horse.

03-11-2019, 06:51 PM	#5
denniskliesen Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2016 Location: SoCal Posts: 877	Re: Options for repairing shift lever ball Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Usually if a 1/2" washer will go over it as a gauge for finish size.