Gearshift lever bending?
 

Hi,
my new re-manufactured gear lever is too far to the left. That bothers me because my leg is leaning against the lever in gear # 1 and R.

Now I have read in a subtitle here in the forum that the re-manufactured gear levers have a slightly different angle geometry. I have now applied both levers exactly the same position and see a clear difference.

Has anyone experience with cold bending the lever at the bottom?

Re: Gearshift lever bending?
 

Here is one thread. I know there are others.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...4717&showall=1

Here is another.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showt...end+gear+shift

Re: Gearshift lever bending?
 

Werner-
There is a difference in the angle of the shift lever between 1928-29 models and 1930-31 models measured in a plane "from front to back". I think that is what I see in your photos. It is not a difference between original and reproduction shift levers. See the following page:

http://www.fordgarage.com/pages/tran...hiftlevers.htm

Wanting to bend the lever away from your leg is a common complaint. It requires heat, which ruins the plating on it. Attempts to bend cold often result in a broken shift lever. :mad:

Re: Gearshift lever bending?
 

I bent my shifter with this 'Shifter Bender Tool' I made. Works good, puts a slight bow in the shifter to the right, not a sharp bend. No breakage. No stain on the internals. I bent mine ~1½" to the right. Still have room for the Mitchell shifter, even with a 3" extension.

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...83a09fce3c.jpg

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...701a32c219.jpg

Re: Gearshift lever bending?
 

Thank you all for the references and the hints!

I did it similar like Blockhead. Bending succeeded with a lot of force.

Re: Gearshift lever bending?
 

A little off topic here! When you are welding the .500 (12.5 MM I think) ball on the bottom of the lever, I always "Forge" the ball as much as I can with a hammer. This makes the ball a little tougher and more resistant to wear. When you shape the ball twist the parts on the ball as much as you. Make sure it fits from every angle. Such as when you pull the shift lever back into first or third.
Terry