Shift Tower Crack

[37Flat]

While finishing rebuilding the transmission, I noticed a crack on the top of the tower above where the pin goes through to the shifter. I doubt this is a rare problem judging by the small amount of metal above the hole, so I'm hoping for some ideas.

Will the cap support it enough when assembled, or should the hole be welded up and re-drilled? Or is there a better solution? It's an 81A-7222.

Thanks.

[Admiral]

Judging by the photo I think trying to repair that crack would be more trouble than it's worth. Cracks in an engine block are one thing, but a shift tower isn't subjected to anywhere near the same forces and temperatures as an engine. You don't plan on shifting THAT hard, do you? :-)

[Andy]

delete

[Mart]

Not worth worrying about.

Normal technique if the pin is a loose fit is to drill out to the first size up that will clean up the hole, and make a pin from the end of the drill. The groove in the stick can be filed to suit the new pin.

The crack, while not ideal, shouldn't present a problem.

Mart.

[37Flat]

Originally Posted by Mart

Not worth worrying about.

Normal technique if the pin is a loose fit is to drill out to the first size up that will clean up the hole, and make a pin from the end of the drill. The groove in the stick can be filed to suit the new pin.

The crack, while not ideal, shouldn't present a problem.

Mart.

Well, you and Admiral have made me feel much better. Things were going pretty smooth up 'til this. Hadn't thought about using the drill for a pin. Learn something good every time I visit the Forum.

Thanks again.

[rotorwrench]

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If it gets problematic, use it till you find another tower. There are still good ones out there. A person could braze it but it would be a lot of trouble to get the cap threads cleaned up.

[Mac VP]

We don’t recommend using a drill bit (or similar hardened materials). You want a regular carbon steel pin in this hole. The problem with a hardened pin is that IT won’t wear but the opening in the cast iron tower......and the slot in your shifter lever could very easily suffer premature wear from the action of the hard pin. The regular steel pin is cheap and easily replaced.....your tower casting and shifter lever are not.

[37Flat]

Originally Posted by Mac VP

We don’t recommend using a drill bit (or similar hardened materials). You want a regular carbon steel pin in this hole. The problem with a hardened pin is that IT won’t wear but the opening in the cast iron tower......and the slot in your shifter lever could very easily suffer premature wear from the action of the hard pin. The regular steel pin is cheap and easily replaced.....your tower casting and shifter lever are not.

Thanks, Mac. Now all I have to do is find a 9/32 pin (already drilled the hole). It's always something.

[Andy]

The nicest solution would be a stepped pin that would fit the drilled hole and also the shift lever. I would make you one but I don't know the length needed in the shift top. I have a shift lever.

[Mart]

The shank of the drill bit (the part you hold in the chuck) is not hard. It is just good quality steel. You can cut it with a hacksaw. I have cut a piece off to make a pin and still have a usable drill bit.

Mart.

[rotorwrench]

Twist drills are generally high speed steel but cobalt and carbide show up now and then. This hard and high temp type of tool steel is throughout the whole of the bit. It's hard but it can be brittle as well. Most folks only use them to drill holes. They can't bend much or they will break.

A person could make a step pin from a grade 5 bolt if they have a lathe. This would be hard enough but a grade 8 bolt could also be used if it needs to be harder.

[37Flat]

Originally Posted by Andy

The nicest solution would be a stepped pin that would fit the drilled hole and also the shift lever. I would make you one but I don't know the length needed in the shift top. I have a shift lever.

Thanks Andy, but I've already done the job the way Mart said and filed out the lever to match. It works fine as long as the bit doesn't waller out the cast iron like Mac said.