The Ford Barn

Great Lakes Greg · 03-02-2018, 07:56 AM

I am doing a shift tower seminar for my local club, and have a question about a car I drove some years back. When I went to second, the gear was pushed too far and went into another neutral, if you get my meaning. Pull back on the lever a little, and the car would proceed in second like it should. I attributed this to a bent fork. Is there a way to see a bent fork, that is, if it's bent, is it obvious?

Tom Endy · 03-02-2018, 11:00 AM

The attached article may be of help.

Tom Endy

Great Lakes Greg · 03-02-2018, 12:17 PM

So, not so obvious. It would be difficult to eyeball the bent one. Thanks Tom.

heneste · 03-02-2018, 09:38 PM

Bear in mind, if the tower is replaced on the transmission in haste, sometimes the forks don't engage the gears in the proper slots and can be bent slightly when trying to test the installation.

Jerry Kzoo · 03-02-2018, 09:47 PM

Greg,
When looking at Tom's article and the bend I can't see where that would slide the gear all the way to another neutral on the other side!

Jerry

Great Lakes Greg · 03-03-2018, 06:47 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Seems unlikely, doesn't it? I also recall on the one-two shift, I hit my knuckles on the dash. The throw was way too far.

Brentwood Bob · 03-03-2018, 07:02 PM

The ball on the end of the shift lever was more likely worn square.

03-02-2018, 07:56 AM	#1
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Shifter fork alignment I am doing a shift tower seminar for my local club, and have a question about a car I drove some years back. When I went to second, the gear was pushed too far and went into another neutral, if you get my meaning. Pull back on the lever a little, and the car would proceed in second like it should. I attributed this to a bent fork. Is there a way to see a bent fork, that is, if it's bent, is it obvious?

03-02-2018, 12:17 PM	#3
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Re: Shifter fork alignment So, not so obvious. It would be difficult to eyeball the bent one. Thanks Tom.

03-02-2018, 09:38 PM	#4
heneste Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Ottawa,Ontario, Canada Posts: 271	Re: Shifter fork alignment Bear in mind, if the tower is replaced on the transmission in haste, sometimes the forks don't engage the gears in the proper slots and can be bent slightly when trying to test the installation.

03-02-2018, 09:47 PM	#5
Jerry Kzoo Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kalamazoo, MI Posts: 173	Re: Shifter fork alignment Greg, When looking at Tom's article and the bend I can't see where that would slide the gear all the way to another neutral on the other side! Jerry

03-03-2018, 06:47 PM	#6
Great Lakes Greg Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 1,369	Re: Shifter fork alignment Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Seems unlikely, doesn't it? I also recall on the one-two shift, I hit my knuckles on the dash. The throw was way too far.

03-03-2018, 07:02 PM	#7
Brentwood Bob Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: brentwood, ca Posts: 4,234	Re: Shifter fork alignment The ball on the end of the shift lever was more likely worn square.