Gear selector advice

nooo, is it fubar then ??? is this part of selection issue...

 

The ball end looks ok. Where's the selector pin?

 

put all back together now and adjusted, although bit better still struggling with into 1st/1st - 2nd, when engine off. when engine on exactly the same, will adjust clutch first tomorrow and check underneath. just took apart really to check parts. the selector pin was free from last time. Time to look elsewhere then ??

 

Can you get into 1st/2nd, engine off, with the clutch down?

 

yeah but bit of a struggle and few pushes and pulls it feels clunky if that makes sense.

 

I replaced as many of the bushes as I could then bought an EMPI shifter from TLB for £35. What a massive difference! Even though I have to be careful because the gears are now close together, selection is greatly improved.

Are you going to Techenders? You can have a play with mine..!

 

I also now have a spare gearstick if you are interested.

 

was hoping to be there but was out voted and going santa pod... thanx fella for offering to have a "play with yours" best offer all day !!
Hopefully sorted now, removed and cleaned shifter and found front shift rod was twisting underneath. looks like where was lowered and rod cut was losing its strength. Welded plate and painted. The loose shifter was causing this so need to keep look out for a decent used one. Which day you going TE?? as can meet on A14,,,,,

 

Going on Friday afternoon/evening.

 

This is a nice thing also

 

Hi all, added on to the gear selection thread. Trying to sort the gear selection out. Have replaced all the bushes etc but the gear stick still touching parking brake. I'm thinking that the front shifter rod should be extended so it sits centre in the hole rather than to the back as in picture. Am I on the right track here?

Also, I'm also wondering if the front shifter rod is damaged / bent as the coupler is slightly off horizontal to the floor (if that makes sense).

 

Adding on to this. Been under the van this morning. Removed the front shift rod to see if could put another hole in the rear rod to push the coupling point to the middle of the hole in floor. Outcome - not enough of the rear shift rod to drill an extra hole in.

So question is (and at the point I'm presuming the coupler should be central in the hole in floor panel. Any ideas how to adjust to correct this or what potentially can cause this to happen?

Ta.

 

First step: is the handrake properly adjusted? Five clicks!

Stick it in second gear - the bottom of the gear lever should be vertical.

 

Thanks Snotty for reply.

Handbrake is on five clicks. The gear stick is pushed right against the handbrake when handbrake is off. I can get all gears and have drove it around, just not good if on a uphill trying to set off.

I've also noticed that the gear stick is one of those EMPI ones which doesn't have the best of reputation - could this be the issue?

I'm going to raid my other van and take its stock gear stick out and try it in this other one, will check position on gear lever when in 2nd.

 

what year your van is and what the actual gearbox code is? I bet you have early gearbox in post 75 van resulting in too short gear linkage.

 

Try the original gear lever as a quick check.

 

If you have an EMPI shifter then you can always make the bolt holes in the base into fore and aft slots to gain handbrake space.

On mine when the handbrake is loose it can be a pain to hill start but the trick is put your foot on the brake pedal, and the other on the clutch, release hand brake, engage first then pull handbrake back on . This works because the gear lever will stay in first even if it is touching the handbrake on mine.
Do a trial hill start to check its in gear and then go for it.
Even works in Bristol ..

 

Mike, check the detent plate is in good knick.
I can't seem to link to the post direct but halfway down on the page below you'll see what happened to ours once.
http://thelatebay.com/index.php?threads/chip-the-all-american-bus.30973/page-12

 

Thanks all for your replies - really helpful and food for thought.

I've put the stock gear stick in now with a new detent plate - big difference in the two. The one I took out was worn and on closer inspection had been welded. Gear change now working well and reverse no problem.

I'm tempted to leave it - but have this EMPI shifter so thinking about putting that in now and bending the shifter to fit so it doesn't go near the hand brake. Although like the idea of moving it across by drilling some more holes. Will let you all know what I decide.

The gear box match also an interesting thought - so will check the gearbox code on this. The van is 1977.