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Old Car Scott
TBI Slant 6
Joined: 09 Jan 2004
Posts: 208
Location: Tracy, CA
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Post subject:
Thoughts on the stock 3 speed stick?
(Thu Feb 23, 2012 10:30 am)
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I'm in a mad dash to put myself back into an economical daily driver as the car I've been driving daily since I wrecked my old Valiant is eating about $10 in gas a day.
My new '67 Valiant has a dead engine and the stock column shifted 3 speed stick that is absolutely a disaster to try and find neutral in.
My question: What are the thoughts on these three speeds? Anything I should be aware of? Is it worth buying a floor shift conversion and using this transmission until I can come up with the four speed stuff? |
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Joshua Skinner
Supercharged
Joined: 27 Jan 2005
Posts: 6479
Location: Portland, Oregon
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Post subject:
(Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:04 am)
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| My '67 Valiant only had about 45k miles on it so the column and transmission were in quite good shape. Neutral was easy to find, but the RPM drop from 2nd to 3rd is awful with the A903. If adjustments and minor repairs don't make it easier to find neutral and make shifting acceptable I wouldn't go any further with the 3-speed. I'd go automatic before I put any kind of money in the manual 3-speed.
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Joshua Skinner
car nut, telecom tech, tool using mammal
'72 Dart Swinger
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Doc
Guru
Joined: 14 Oct 2002
Posts: 5005
Location: Working in Silicon Valley, USA
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Post subject:
(Thu Feb 23, 2012 11:07 am)
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Vote # 2 ... find a different transmission.
The "non-syncro" first gear is a real PITA in my book. These transmissions are no fun... even when they work right.
DD
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1974duster kev
Turbo Slant 6
Joined: 13 Jul 2007
Posts: 627
Location: clearwater florida
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Post subject:
(Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:37 pm)
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Vote #3 drove a column shift nash metropolitan hated it lol
Kev_________________  |
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sandy in BC
Board Sponsor & SL6 Racer
Joined: 08 Nov 2002
Posts: 4645
Location: Burton BC canada
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Post subject:
(Thu Feb 23, 2012 12:46 pm)
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Adjust the 3 speed so it works.....drive it till you get a 4 or 5 speed.
The floor shift can be worse than the column.
I put a 5 speed in my Valaint because my kids who were learning to drive at the time could not manage the 3/tree |
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Old Car Scott
TBI Slant 6
Joined: 09 Jan 2004
Posts: 208
Location: Tracy, CA
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Post subject:
(Thu Feb 23, 2012 1:36 pm)
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Non-synchro 1st gear? 
I drove one of these column shifted three speeds years ago, it usually worked fine but would occasionally hang up between gears and I'd have to get out of the car, usually in an intersection, and pop the linkage free with a screw driver. I eventually pulled it for a four speed. 
I was thinking one of those cheapie 3 speed manual floor shifter kits would alleviate the worn out column shifter problems until I can get replacement stuff for the stuff I broke.
Oh, I forget to mention, the accident broke three chunks off the bellhousing where the mounting holes on the engine side of the bellhousing are, pulled the threads out of one of the lower bolt holes on the tranny side, broke an upper ear off the tranny and bent the input shaft. I wrecked that car HARD!! |
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DusterIdiot
Board Sponsor
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 7387
Location: Salem, OR
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Post subject:
A-230
(Thu Feb 23, 2012 6:54 pm)
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Having driven the column shifted '68 Valiant, and had the floor shifted A-230 synchro box...I'd vote for floor shifted A-230...that puts you one step closer for a later swap to a 4 speed/5speed...
-D.Idiot
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Rug_Trucker
Supercharged
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 2594
Location: Pertneer Nashville TN
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Post subject:
Re: A-230
(Fri Feb 24, 2012 11:27 am)
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| DusterIdiot wrote: | Having driven the column shifted '68 Valiant, and had the floor shifted A-230 synchro box...I'd vote for floor shifted A-230...that puts you one step closer for a later swap to a 4 speed/5speed...
-D.Idiot |
Bingo! My Duster never made a full on 1/4mi pass because of the column shift. I need to finish the 833OD swap._________________ '72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers
'74Fart Dart
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto  Dually Clubcab
93 Corolla |
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DusterIdiot
Board Sponsor
Joined: 29 Oct 2002
Posts: 7387
Location: Salem, OR
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Rug_Trucker
Supercharged
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 2594
Location: Pertneer Nashville TN
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Post subject:
Re: Lol...
(Sat Feb 25, 2012 4:06 am)
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| DusterIdiot wrote: | | Quote: | Bingo! My Duster never made a full on 1/4mi pass because of the column shift. I need to finish the 833OD swap.
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HAHAHA!!!!
My duster never makes it to OD in the 1/4 even with 4.56's...
-D.Idiot |
I made 2-3 passes. Shifter hung up in first. I had made many 1/8mi passes. If it hit 3rd in the 1/8th it didn't change the ET._________________ '72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers
'74Fart Dart
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab
93 Corolla |
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Tim Keith
Board Sponsor
Joined: 02 Nov 2002
Posts: 680
Location: San Antonio, Texas
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Post subject:
(Sun Feb 26, 2012 7:39 pm)
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| The shifter bushings are probably worn.
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hantayo13
Turbo EFI
Joined: 19 Feb 2005
Posts: 1753
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Post subject:
(Sun Feb 26, 2012 8:08 pm)
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| my uncle lefty,,,yea he only had left arm...lost right arm as teen....drove a 53 ply 3 on tree,sucide knob...would reach thru wheel to shift....
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Old Car Scott
TBI Slant 6
Joined: 09 Jan 2004
Posts: 208
Location: Tracy, CA
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Post subject:
(Mon Feb 27, 2012 10:30 am)
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Okay, I got to take a really good look at everything when I was pulling the engine this weekend.
It appears the rubber in the shifter linkages has completely disintegrated.
Are these bushings something a local parts house would have or are they a specialty item? I assume someone here has replaced them before.
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Rug_Trucker
Supercharged
Joined: 23 Feb 2005
Posts: 2594
Location: Pertneer Nashville TN
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Post subject:
(Mon Feb 27, 2012 11:10 am)
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| Tim Keith wrote: | | The shifter bushings are probably worn. |
I replaced mine just before the race. Re adjusted the linkage. Still hung up.
You are trying to polish a turd.
I drove a '77 Chevy truck, '61 Ford truck. Same crap. Bad design. I dated a girl with a 4 door Triumph that had a 4 speed on the column........._________________ '72 Duster 198 stock cam, 3:23's Hookers
'74Fart Dart
'79 Maxivan 360 Offy Qjet Comp RV cam
93 D350 160HP Cummins Auto Dually Clubcab
93 Corolla |
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Junior
TBI Slant 6
Joined: 27 Apr 2007
Posts: 181
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Post subject:
(Wed Feb 29, 2012 5:04 pm)
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I have the three on the tree non synchro first in my 66 valiant. shifts like a champ and neutral is easy to find and I race with it. Had a problem with it once years ago got stuck in first, turned out to be the collar that limits the throw had moved. I readjusted it and havent had a problem since._________________ 1966 Plymouth Valiant, 225, 3 on the tree, 8 1/4 3.21 sure grip, hyperpac, headers, holley 4bbl
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