Shifter removal for 33 Plymouth

TodFitch · June 28, 2012, 10:30:27 AM

Quote from: 33plycoupe on June 27, 2012, 11:21:33 PM
Thankyou TodFitch for the information about my shifter problem. My mechanic was also concerned about the amount of play while in neutral. I measured it today, and the amount of play in the shifter while in the neutral position from left to right was about 6 inches. Do you think this is excessive from your experience?? I would be interested in your experience with your car. Thanks again for your assistance.
Robert

Side to side motion in neutral at the top of the shift knob? I'm away from my car and will be for the next week, but 6" sounds about right. Maybe even a bit more.

In the '60s when floor mount shifters made their reappearance they were short throw mechanisms designed for fast shifting in performance applications. In the '30s they were designed differently.

33plycoupe · June 27, 2012, 11:21:33 PM

Thankyou TodFitch for the information about my shifter problem. My mechanic was also concerned about the amount of play while in neutral. I measured it today, and the amount of play in the shifter while in the neutral position from left to right was about 6 inches. Do you think this is excessive from your experience?? I would be interested in your experience with your car. Thanks again for your assistance.
Robert

TodFitch · June 22, 2012, 02:45:24 PM

Remove front wood floor board.
Remove metal floor toe board.
Unbolt shift tower from frame cross member.
Done.

In the '33 and '34 Plymouths the shifter is not actually connected to the transmission. It is bolted to a frame cross member and simply extends into the transmission. There is a gap between the frame cross member and the transmission which should have a boot. If missing then dirt, water, etc. can get into the transmission. I used a piece of radiator hose to replace the missing boot on mine.

I think the design was intended to allow the transmission to rock with the engine without having the gear shift lever moving.

33plycoupe · June 22, 2012, 02:10:16 PM

I'm encountering a lot of play in the transmission shifter on my 33 coupe. Sometimes it is hard to shift from 1st to 2nd. My mechanic thinks I need to remove the shifter and repair. He isn't sure how to remove it. If anyone can help me explain to my mechanic as to the method of removing the floor transmissioon shifter, I would greatly appreciate it.