1941 Plymouth Power Shift Bypass Possible?

[plymouthasc]

I received an email from a fellow Plymouth owner and I suggested he post his question on this forum. He was having difficulty posting his questions, so I am posting it for him.

 

 

"I am a new owner of a 4-door Special Deluxe. A friend and I are currently going through the car from front end to differential, and hope to have it on the road in a couple of weeks. The car is equipped with the power (vacuum) shifter, which I was told when I purchased the car is working: but the linkage looks complicated to reconnect, so I am wondering if it can just be bypassed. Or if you have any "words of wisdom". Any help you can offer will be appreciated.

 

Many thanks"

 

I will forward your information to him.

 

Thanks for the help.

[Mark D]

I believe these power shifters were

Post war accessories developed for veteran amputees. Probably pretty rare to have one survive. If it were me, I'd try to get it in working order. - sorry I don't have any working knowledge of the device to offer. Love to see pictures if you get the chance.

[TodFitch]

I don't know for sure on Plymouth, but I knew a fellow once with a '39 Chevy that had a factory installed (maybe optional, maybe standard equipment) vacuum assist unit on the shift linkage. I am guessing that it was a fad in the late 1930s, early 1940s for this type of equipment to be featured.

 

So I don't think it was just a post war accessory for disabled veterans.

 

As to how rare it is, I can't say.

 

But I can say that if you are working on a car getting a copy of the factory service manual would be a very good thing and it would help on things like this.

[Roadkingcoupe]

The power shift option was simply a shifting "aid".

It was advertised as;

 

Powermatic Shifting - a delightful new car operation to enjoy. Shifting is made vastly easier, requires a minimum of effort. And with the new transmission, actual elimination of certain shifting motions in normal driving. It's a revelation! Try it! Powermatic's the "ONE" for '41!"

 

Just disconnecting would return the car to a "regular" shifting car.

Many similarily equiped cars have had the vacuum assist removed.

 

[casper50]

I had one on a 49 Packard once.

[GlennCraven]

I do believe Jay Leno's 1941 Plymouth Special Deluxe business coupe has the vacuum-assisted shifter.