Posted by Tim Holloway [108.162.219.223] on Friday, April 28, 2017 at 20:58:11 :
Hi All,
So getting really close on the 57 W-100 (Girl Scout Truck) I have swapped the original 3 speed for a 3 speed overdrive which came out of a 57 D-100. It bolted up perfectly. I had to shorten the intermediate driveshaft which was no problem. Of the shift rods, one worked fine, the second required modification but it works. Here is the problem, my shift pattern is upside down. 1st and reverse are swapped and 2nd and 3rd are opposite.
I have figured out that the bell crank on the selector rod is operating backwards from what I need, ie. it is pushing when I want it to pull and vice versa. The 57 service manual shows a drawing of the column shift linkage, which is completely different than the original setup my truck has. The 57 parts book has the blown up drawing of the setup I have. My current bellcrank is like an upside down "V" and the service manual drawing shows a different bellcrank with the arms up, like a "V". This setup would reverse the action that my current bellcrank is doing.
My existing bellcrank is welded up from steel, the one in the service manual appears to be cast.
So, I do not know the application, could be an earlier Pilothouse truck, or even a car, but if any of you have a mid 50s parts rig Dodge with a column shift, could you see if it has a cast bellcrank with the arms facing up? If you dont want to part with it, I would be happy to borrow it and copy it. I am really trying to finish the truck to bring to Iowa, but need to sort this issue first.
Thanks,
Tim
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