trans shift linkage

[hotrodharley]

have a 48 plymonth p-15..took engine/trans out of car and did fresh paint on farewall/frame/eng/trans and steering columum..put all back together and i have no reverse now..where reverse should be is forward gear,,all of "H" patteren is forward gears;;what did i hook up wrong..can someone take pics of there shifter linkage on columium amd on trans so i can maybe see what i did wrong;;it had reverse before i took apart,,

[ChrisRice]

I can't wait to see a response either. My h shift pattern has 1,2,3 but no reverse. I was told from previous owner that it was a linkage issue.

[Don Coatney]

What does your shop manual say about shifter linkage adjustment?

[Ramon Angulo]

I had the same issue with my 48 dodge. It worked fine for a long time and lately I have had to mess with the it once in a while.  It sounds like its an adjustment issue. I don't have an exact answer. I just ordered a shop manual and hopefully it has the answer. I know some of the gurus on this form will have the answer!

[casper50]

a couple of photos from my 47 dodge

[DonaldSmith]

In casper50's photos, there is a link under the steering column that moves back and forth as the gearshift lever is pulled toward the driver and let go.

 

As the lever is pulled back, the link is pulled forward, putting the linkage in the Reverse-First range.  (For my Klunk-o-matic, it's reverse only.)

 

After fiddling with my steering column for the power steering, I couldn't shift into reverse.  So my checked my manual. 

 

The manual said to loosen the adjusting nut on this link so that it is free to move back, which it does by spring pressure,  Then tighten the adjusting nut until all play is taken out of the link.  Then back off the adjusting nut _ _ _ _* for clearance and tighten the lock nut. 

 

*How much to loosen it? OK, class, look it up.

(Teacher's manual with the answers:  One-half turn.)

[1941Rick]

One of the linkages has an adjustment, this selects reverse and first.....

As you pull the lever on the column towards you you move this rod.

Common problem being out of adjustment. Adjust the linkage so there is no play. you may need to adjust one way or another

to get it to shift into reverse easily....

[hotrodharley]

One of the linkages has an adjustment, this selects reverse and first.....

As you pull the lever on the column towards you you move this rod.

Common problem being out of adjustment. Adjust the linkage so there is no play. you may need to adjust one way or another

to get it to shift into reverse easily....

ADJUSTED IT AND NOW HAVE REVERSE;;THANKS EVERYONE FOR YOUR HELP;

[ChrisRice]

Glad that could help you. I still have a similar problem, can shift into first and reverse though. First works, but no reverse.. Any ideas anyone?

[martybose]

If you're actually getting into first I would check to make sure there isn't something limiting the throw of the other arm moving forward.  The throw into reverse always seems longer than the throw into 2nd in my car.

[Wurzlejock]

Hi! I have just bought a  48 P15 from my cousin here in England. He imported it from California in 2011 and started the rebuild but got hung up on the gear linkage problems which seem common! I have sweated blood trying to get a clean change. The  critical bit seems to be the lack of fore and aft movement on the selector lever. There just isn't quite enough to take reverse cleanly unless I help it with my foot ( the floor is removed at present). But I can't even be sure it is all set up correctly. The manual is duff. I really need a good diagram of the linkage. Any one able to provide some good pics or a diagram please?   Wurzlejock.( I am Scottish but live in Somerset in SW England.

[ptwothree]

Then you might have a bent shifter rod or bad rear mount or a combo of that...assuming the linkage is adjusted properly to begin with.

[Wurzlejock]

Thanks for your reply. The trouble is that it was all stripped out for an engine rebuild then replaced but I don't know if it is correctly assembled. I found another set of linkages in the boot! There are plates with holes drilled similar to my independent efforts to get a cleaner change. I know the box is OK. Mounts are new. Anyone got a nice line drawing or photos of the mechanism properly installed? At present I get the gears in the opposite place to what the handbook says. Also the rod tends to foul the throttle linkage so something is wrong!  Any help very much appreciated.  Wurzlejock.

[DonaldSmith]

Here's an exploded view:  

 

281 transmission control, exploded.pdf

[Wurzlejock]

Good Man! Many many thanks. Will let you know how I get on.   Wurzlejock.

[Wurzlejock]

Just to give you an update! I spent all day on the gear change again but still can't get it to take reverse cleanly so in the end I've attached an extra floor pedal to the linkage so like a Model T Ford you now push down on it and it then takes reverse! I know I know but I just want to get on with something else and my cousin and I have spent about 100 man hours on these bloody gears! Still can't figure it but maybe now I can take it to someone who can...eventually!  Wurzlejock.

[Wurzlejock]

Latest update! I think I've cracked it! I lengthened one rod and kept my adaptor plate on the other rod and kept doing small adjustments untIl I got all four gears but reverse is in the opposite corner to where it should be! If anyone needs some more detailed help let me know. Wurzlejock.