Joe,

I have a 65 Delta 88 coupe with the three speed manual Saginaw, and the column shifter has gone limp. Won't shift anymore. Nothing happened per se. Just one day went to go drive her and she wouldn't shift. Managed to get it into R, but was convinced it was best to leave her in the garage until the issue could be addressed. No classic car places have any interest - they are booked and do not want the work. Can shift it from the linkage under the hood, but the guts in the column have gone south. I have a mobile mechanic coming to look at it, but he hasn't indicated that he can fix it, just try. If you know anyone that knows these cars in NE Ohio that would be willing to fix it please let me know. I hope it doesn't need parts, because that is going to be a problem. I imagine they are extremely hard to find.
Michael

 

I moved your post to it's own thread instead of hijacking someone else's.

 

My guess is the linkage is worn out. As for finding parts look at old chevy truck parts. Most 3 speed column shifters are in old trucks now.

 

If you can shift using the linkage under the hood, the problem is in the steering column. Read the Chassis Service Manual, which describes the process for rebuilding and adjusting the MT column. In particular look at pages 8-40 and 8-41. The shift lever both moves the shift tube up and down in the column to engage the R-1 and 2-3 levers and also rotates to move the trans linkage. The shift tube has a tab at the bottom that engages either the R-1 or 2-3 levers depending on which way you move the shift lever. There is a specific adjustment process to ensure this tab properly engages these levers. You'll need to have someone operate the shift lever while you watch this tab under the hood. If the tab is not engaging the levers, figure out why. If it is, then there is likely slop in the linkage from wear. Look at pages 7-18 and 7-19 for adjustment info.

 

I doubt the truck parts will be close to correct for an Olds full size. These are unobtanium.

 

If it just stopped working completely, I wouldn't give up on it. When stuff wears out you usually get some warning- degraded performance, rather just "stopped working". This might be the first sign of wear, but if you're creative, take it apart and finger out what's wrong. You know- finger it out... figger... the "f" word...

 

Thanks Joe and thanks all who posted,

Pulled the whole column out. The bowl/lever snapped off inside. I have some folks at my work who think they can fix it. Assuming they can, and once we go to put it back in we will make sure it is properly adjusted and shifts without issues. Last thing I want is to apply too much torque and snap it again. I tried for weeks to locate a column for this car, but that seems like a needle in hay stack. As you said. Nobody knows anyone who has one. I will report back to everyone once we get back in next week, assuming my guys can fix it.

Michael

 

There were hardly any three speed full size cars made and nearly none survive, so yeah, you aren't going to find a replacement column. Can you post a photo of the part that broke?

 

 

I hate to say this but you are probably going to have a hard time welding that pot metal.

 

First pic is before we welded it. Next pick is welded, hopefully repaired version. Just got it back.

 

 

 

The shift lever housing is part number 386274, used on 65-66 column shift manual trans full size cars.

 

Thanks Joe

 

If if breaks again, I'd be looking into a Hurst 3-speed shifter on the floor.