518 trans question
 

So I have this problem with my truck that i have just been 'living' with since i bought it but im getting tired of it.

The gear selector on the column doesn't have a "notch" for each gear, it just kinda glides across.

Now, is this a problem inside the column, or with the internal linkage inside the trans.

thanks,
matt

I think it's on the shifter rooster in the transmission.
check BC847's transmission overhaul page in the sticky or on a search. He did something with the shifting on one of the pages.
If he chimes in that would be even better.

Matt,

I've had the very same problem.

The way it works is this . . . . .

The component that holds in position, the gear selector spool-valve in the transmission valve-body, as well as the column-shifter and associated linkage is called the "Rooster-Comb".

It it located on the transmission valve-body as part of the gear selector mechanism.

Located on the valve-body itself, is an associated spring-loaded ball that pops in and out of the notches of the rooster-comb. That ball sitting in each of the individual notches provides the holding effect for the gear selected. As you move the shifter through the gears, the rooster-comb moves. The ball moves from one notch to the next.

Got that?



http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...CombDetent.jpg



With time and wear, the comb becomes loose on it's shaft and allows it to move such that with enough slack, the ball can get by the comb and pop out of place. The ball and possibly the spring ends up stuck to the magnet located in the transmission's oil pan.

To fix it, one has to remove the valve-body so that the rooster-comb can be removed. Then, in my case, I simply peened where the factory staked the comb to the shaft. That tightened it up quit well, so no need to buy a new one.

http://i169.photobucket.com/albums/u...oosterComb.jpg


If you're wanting to fix it, you just as well go ahead and install a TransGo kit seeing as you'll be right there. ;)

Hope this helps. :)

Thanks for the very detailed reply. I already purchased the shift kit and have it waiting to go in so that will be convenient. Is installing the shift kit tough, because i was going through the instructions that were sent with it and its a little confusing to me.

thanks,
matt