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Old 08-09-2020, 09:44 PM   #1
dmaxweb
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Default Shift Lever Drawing

Does anyone have a measured drawing of the lower section of the shift lever? I have a machinist rebuilding one to original specs.
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Old 08-09-2020, 10:26 PM   #2
Tom Endy
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

The original shift levers were made from one piece and bent to the correct angle. There were two angles, one for 28-29 cars, and one for 30-31 cars. The repos are all bent to one angle that is in the middle to fit all. They are also made of two pieces that are screwed together and welded just below the bend. Many have failed by either breaking at the weld or unscrewing. See the attached article.

All the originals can be repaired by welding up the worn 1\2" ball on the end of the shifter and grinding it down to fit the slots in the forks. The problem is having it re-plated. Very difficult in the the US due to environmental concerns.

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File Type: pdf Reproduction Gearshift Lever.pdf (142.0 KB, 101 views)
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:16 AM   #3
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

I have an original that was replated butler nickel and looks beautiful from the bell up. The problem is the plater told me he could weld up and grind down the ball to the correct size before plating. Well...he did build up and grind but instead of a ball it ended up a heavily nickel plated egg shaped blob. The machine shop at a nearby AFB will precision rebuild but needs a drawing for the CNC. The shifter forks are already done. If possible, I'd prefer not starting over with another lever and would like to get in done locally.
Thanks
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File Type: jpg 20200808_131600.jpg (80.4 KB, 80 views)

Last edited by dmaxweb; 08-10-2020 at 06:27 AM.
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:34 AM   #4
BRENT in 10-uh-C
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmaxweb View Post
Does anyone have a measured drawing of the lower section of the shift lever? I have a machinist rebuilding one to original specs.
Does this help?

.
.
Attached Files
File Type: pdf Shift_Lever_Dimensions.pdf (504.4 KB, 180 views)
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:39 AM   #5
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Quote:
Originally Posted by dmaxweb View Post
I have an original that was replated butler nickel and looks beautiful from the bell up. The problem is the plater told me he could weld up and grind down the ball to the correct size before plating. Well...he did build up and grind but instead of a ball it ended up a heavily nickel plated egg shaped blob. The machine shop at a nearby AFB will precision rebuild but needs a drawing for the CNC. The shifter forks are already done. If possible, I'd prefer not starting over with another lever and would like to get in done locally.
Thanks
You do not need to have them write a program on this. There is 0.004" tolerance on the shift forks, and the same on the shift lever. One word of caution though, the ball on the end is NOT ½" (-0.500").
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:48 AM   #6
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

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Old 08-10-2020, 06:53 AM   #7
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Dmax,


I did that too and tried. The extremely worn ball is newly build-up welded. Then sanded and filed a spherical shape. But that didn't get exactly round. +/- 1/100 inch.
Also the height of the sphere could not be reconstructed exactly because I could no longer recognize the original dimensions.

Shifting was a bit scratchy. Therefore I installed a new gear lever.
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File Type: jpg P1010995.JPG (105.5 KB, 75 views)
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Old 08-10-2020, 06:58 AM   #8
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
Does this help?

.
.

Thanks!
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Old 08-10-2020, 07:02 AM   #9
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Brent,
Quote:
the ball on the end is NOT ½" (-0.500").
What am I getting wrong here?

Or is that a misprint and should be 0.005 inches?
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Old 08-10-2020, 07:26 AM   #10
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

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Brent, What am I getting wrong here?

Or is that a misprint and should be 0.005 inches?


Not a misprint. The size of the ball is not machined to 0.500" or ½".

I think where some people started that misinformation (-besides reading it in Fordbarn and then telling it to others. ) is that someone likely said file your shifter forks to straighten them up, and then just make the ball oversize to something such as ½ inch to compensate. Before long the shifting becomes difficult as it passes thru the neutral position due to the oversized ball.
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Old 08-10-2020, 08:49 AM   #11
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

The gearshift lever needs some protection against human contact. I find that when wearing short pants my leg often touches the lever, so the nickle plating eventually corrodes. Same goes for the chrome plated repro lever. To preserve your shift lever, slide a piece of clear plastic tubing over it.
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File Type: jpg 190A Glass Gear Shift Knob 285kb.jpg (30.2 KB, 34 views)
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Old 08-10-2020, 09:53 AM   #12
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

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Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
The gearshift lever needs some protection against human contact. I find that when wearing short pants my leg often touches the lever, so the nickle plating eventually corrodes. Same goes for the chrome plated repro lever. To preserve your shift lever, slide a piece of clear plastic tubing over it.
Bob, do you have toxic legs? to corrode the lever or is that erosion (gradually wear away).
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Old 08-10-2020, 10:21 AM   #13
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Quote:
Originally Posted by Bob Bidonde View Post
The gearshift lever needs some protection against human contact. I find that when wearing short pants my leg often touches the lever, so the nickle plating eventually corrodes. Same goes for the chrome plated repro lever. To preserve your shift lever, slide a piece of clear plastic tubing over it.
This is the repro that was on my coupe when I got it. Corrosion on drivers side.
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File Type: jpg 20200623_141645.jpg (76.9 KB, 51 views)
File Type: jpg 20200623_141532.jpg (65.4 KB, 56 views)
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Old 08-10-2020, 10:58 AM   #14
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Quote:
Originally Posted by Werner View Post
Brent, What am I getting wrong here?

Or is that a misprint and should be 0.005 inches?



It's a little hard to see but I think the print shows .492-.496
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Old 08-10-2020, 05:09 PM   #15
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

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Originally Posted by dmaxweb View Post
This is the repro that was on my coupe when I got it. Corrosion on drivers side.
If you send it to us we can put some corrosion on the other side.
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Old 08-11-2020, 09:18 AM   #16
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

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Thanks!
Thanks again Brent.

I'm taking the shift lever and the blueprint to the machine shop today. Even though the forks have be rebuilt, I'm going to take them along to verify the tolerances. Do you have the blueprint for the forks?
Much appreciated!
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Old 08-11-2020, 10:17 AM   #17
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

This one?
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Old 08-11-2020, 10:44 AM   #18
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Quote:
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This one?
Thanks Werner
The drawing shows radius corners on the machined recess for the shift lever ball. Do you know if this correct? I've never seen a NOS fork so I don't know.
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Old 08-11-2020, 10:58 AM   #19
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

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Originally Posted by dmaxweb View Post
Thanks Werner
The drawing shows radius corners on the machined recess for the shift lever ball. Do you know if this correct? I've never seen a NOS fork so I don't know.
They really are not radius-ed, but it actually has a 45° machined chamfer, -and yes it is correct.

And Yes, that is my drawing of the Fork.
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Old 08-11-2020, 11:00 AM   #20
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Default Re: Shift Lever Drawing

Quote:
Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C View Post
They really are not radius-ed, but it actually has a 45° machined chamfer, -and yes it is correct.

And Yes, that is my drawing of the Fork.
Got it. Thanks
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