3 Speed Manual Shift Slop

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BarretHC1
Posts: 13
Joined: Tue Feb 11, 2020 4:15 pm

3 Speed Manual Shift Slop

Post by BarretHC1 »

Good afternoon everyone!

I have a ton of slop back and forth in my manual shift car. I pulled the boot and noticed the spring that goes from the shifter to the housing is missing. Is that the only part that is there to prevent side to side movement? Seems as when I install a new spring, the shifter will be pushed all the way to the right (2nd, 3rd gear area).

Thanks for the insight as always!

Barret
1957Birdman
Posts: 397
Joined: Thu Nov 20, 2014 8:58 am

Re: 3 Speed Manual Shift Slop

Post by 1957Birdman »

I think you are on the right track replacing the missing spring. I am pretty sure when Ford designed the floor shift they would have spring loaded it to favor the 2nd and 3rd side of the H pattern. The reason for this is obvious in that without the spring loading it would be easier to accidently hit reverse, with corresponding clash of gears when making the upshift. Anyway that is the best place to start to see if you really have a problem or not.
Lew Bachman
1957 Colonial White
MarkR
Posts: 727
Joined: Fri Dec 13, 2019 10:30 pm
Location: Vegas, Anchorage

Re: 3 Speed Manual Shift Slop

Post by MarkR »

Lew is right. Install the missing spring. It’s purpose is to dampen free movement for more precise control.
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