Stubborn shifter (4-speed)

[bkahler]

Ok, I'm a little stumped. I'm slowly getting back into working on my B3B. Its been in the rebuild phase since about 1998. I had the transmission rebuilt at a good shop while I lived in Lincoln NE. I've since moved from there and the truck has not been touched for over 7 years. Well, I installed the transmission today and afterwards found that the shift lever didn't want to move. The transmission is the 4-speed syncroshift as used in the B3G and B3H trucks (page 441 of the B3B service manual). And yes it does bolt up to a 218

The service manual is real vauge on dealing with the top shifter cover. At first I thought maybe there was something wrong inside the transmission so I pulled the top cover and the transmission is still spotless inside. The shifter cover also looks good.

What I'm wondering is whether the ball and plungers in the top side of the shifter cover might have frozen in place since the tranmission sat for close to 8 years after having been rebuilt. I vaugely recall that when I first got the transmission back from the shop that it did seem to shift through the gears.

I'm thinking that maybe I'll lay the cover upside down and dribble some penetrating fluid into the area where the balls and springs are. I'm hoping its just gummed up from sitting and the balls don't want to release. The shifter shafts themselves move forward and back ever so slightly and rotate just fine.

Anyway, just thought I'd share the pain.....

Brad

[bkahler]

Problem solved. With the top cover sitting upside down on the bench and a dose of PB Blaster and letting it sit for 15 minutes or so seemed to do the trick. Still had to fiddle with it for a while but then the 3 rails took turns freeing themselves. After installing back on the gearbox it shifts through all the gears and feels good.

On to the next problem.......