Hello All. I am new to the site and am glad to be a part of it. I have a '39 P8 Sedan and I need to know if anyone has knowledge of where I might find a gear shift control cable. Better yet, mine seems to stick in the reverse/1st gate position and I have to actually take some needle nosed pliers to pull the cable towards the firewall in order to catch 2nd and 3rd. Does anyone know if this cable has an adjustment or any other ideas that I should try before I buy a new one? Thanks in advance for your help.....Lou
Plymouth used the cable shifter in 1939 (think it was an option) and early 1940, then used shifting levers. The only adjustment on the cable shifter is to tighten the acorn nut at the end of the cable at the transmission (there should be a lock nut there also), until all the slack is out of the cable, then back the acorn nut off 1/2 turn for clearence, and tighten the lock nut against the acorn nut to retain proper adjustment. This info is from my '40 plymouth shop manual, should be same for '39 ??.? Maybe someone with a '39 can comfirm.
? My 1940 P10 has shifting levers. Maybe you can retrofit your '39 with shifter parts from a '40 if you can't get the cable system to work ??? Hope this helps.
davidP10
Thanks for the information David. I'll try to take the slack out of it first. If anyone else has any experience with this issue feel free to add to the discussion. You know it's very cool how total strangers with no common bond other than a vintage vehicle are always ready to help each other out! Best regards.....Lou
I haven't had any experience with that shift mech, but i would think that if u could somehow get the center cable out of the housing and clean it and flush the housing, and then lube it, u might find it works better. Just an idea
;D Here is an update on my shift cable situation. I removed the old unit and found the moving inner portion (inner cable and spring) was seized solid. I looked on Ebay and happened to find one for only $45.00. This was an amazing buy, when you consider all the vintage Mopar parts dealers all wanted $250.00 +++. I installed it yesterday in about 30 minutes and she shifts like a dream!!
I advise all '39 owners with the cable operated (Remote-Control) column shift to keep a sharp eye out for one of these. You never know when you'll need one and they are very difficult and expensive to come by.
Don't throw the old one out just yet. U might get it freed up and usuable, then u will have a spare or a salable item
Your are so correct John!. How did you know the whole assembly is soaking in a pan of WD40 as we speak????
Regards...Lou
I just may have a 39 shift cable. A local Hot Rod shop offered me the running gear from a 39 that they did a modern style update. I have most all of the front suspension, steering, to rear drive line parts.
Quote from: brucepine on March 14, 2006, 01:10:42 AM
I just may have a 39 shift cable.? A local Hot Rod shop offered me the running gear from a 39 that they did a modern style update.? I have most all of the front suspension, steering, to rear drive line parts.
Thanks, but I already installed the new one and have managed to free up the old one after a good soaking. Now I have a spare and I should be good for another 67 years!
If you have one you want to sell , you might want to list it in the POC Parts For Sale Classifieds. To the best of my knowledge this cable system is unique to the '39 model column shift and is difficult to find. I'm sure another 39 owner would be glad to have it.
Do u still have the shifter cable
I use diesel fuel in a 5 gallon bucket to free up the shiftier spring and just let it soak and then once an hour work the cable in and out. I do this for 2 to 3 days until it works freely. Since people have posted seeing the cables on Ebay I'll be watching for one so when one freezes up I can switch the cables out and not have my 39 down.