I need some help. Hopefully someone has been down this road before and has come up with a solution. The range of motion on my shift lever sticking out of the steering column does not allow me to get a 'good' neutral and a 'good' reverse at the same adjustment. I can get a 'good' neutral, so the body does not surge forward on starting, but the reverse is marginal and usually pops out after a few feet. I can hold it in reverse manually, but it's a PITA. Also, I can adjust the linkage so the reverse is solid, but the car starts in drive.
It seems that the range of motion of the shift lever needs to be longer with the '55 trans as opposed to the '50 trans.
Anyone have this problem before? Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,

 

Coldwar, the column in the '50 Olds is original. I've filed the opening in the collar where the shift lever protrudes and it help a little, but now in the neutral the shift arm touches the head. I've increased the range of motion, but it is still not enough. The lever on the '55 trans is a short stubby piece and I have not come up with a way to shorten it further. I don't know if the steering column on a '55 is different than a '50. I've looked online and cannot find an exploded view of either column.
I was hoping that someone had been down this road and came up with a solution.

 

Welcome to the site carnutz. I'm also in Medford Oregon. I have a 1955 Olds 98 parts car but it has a 1959-60 engine/transmission in it. I do have the linkage from another car, a 1954 Olds 88 with the 324. Your welcome to come by and look at the linkage to see how its setup if that would help. John

 

John, the 54 and the 55 should be the same. Carnutz. Have you tried adjusting the long rod from carb linkage to transmission, or is that the adjustment you are talking about? It's very sedative, and a little goes a long way. I've never put a 324 on an early transmission, so I'm just guessing....Tedd

 

John, I'm in California for a couple of months and won't be home until early April. Is it possible to take a photo of the arm sticking out of the steering column and post it or email it to me?
Thanks,
Larry

 

Yes, I can take some pictures and post them here or send them to you in an email. Whichever you prefer.

 

50 HydraMatic is N DR LO R. 55 trans is N DR S LO R. In other words you have an extra shift selector position that the 1950 column isn't set up to accommodate.

I expect you'll have to rework something inside the 50 column to make this work, unless a 52-55 column will bolt into your 50.

 

Rocketraider, I suspect you are right and the solution to my problem is in the steering column. Does anyone have an exploded view of the '50 column or better yet a spare column lying around?

 

This is 1949, but should be typical of 1950.

 

Charlie, thanks, but I need the portion of the steering column in the engine bay.