Shifting tower/arm on my '42 PU-New info

[expavr]

Attached is a drawing showing the ball on the end of a 4 speed shift arm. The sides are flat. The front and back have a smaller flat area that would contact the slotted linkage in the transmission which is attached to the shift forks. I had a similar shifting problem that was related to the orientation of the shift arm in the transmission and it was caused by a worn pin that controls the alignment of the ball where it makes contact with the slotted linkage. The pin was worn to the extent that the shift arm would rotate making the gear selection difficult. This was on a 4 speed truck transmission which may be designed and function differently than a 3 speed but it might be something to take a look at.

[Mike B]

Originally Posted by expavr

Attached is a drawing showing the ball on the end of a 4 speed shift arm. The sides are flat. The front and back have a smaller flat area that would contact the slotted linkage in the transmission which is attached to the shift forks. I had a similar shifting problem that was related to the orientation of the shift arm in the transmission and it was caused by a worn pin that controls the alignment of the ball where it makes contact with the slotted linkage. The pin was worn to the extent that the shift arm would rotate making the gear selection difficult. This was on a 4 speed truck transmission which may be designed and function differently than a 3 speed but it might be something to take a look at.

This is what mine is doing as well (rotating) and not selecting 2nd gear.

Thanks so much for the drawing, I'll pull the arm out of the tower today and take a look.

And thanks to all else who replied!