3 on the tree

[zzebby]

Have a neighbour who is quite a character, retired grey beard of course,   who has a 69 Chevy pickup since new.  Now since it has been in the dry desert all its life,  it is in great shape.
Anyway,  the original 3 on the tree shifter is sloppy and locks up.  We all remember those from the day.  Most guys went to a floor mounted Hurst or so and he is aware of that but wants to keep it original.  He needs the column and shifter rebuilt and rebushed but can't find a source to do it for him.  He is automotive handy,  but thinks  that this is a bit too much for him.  He is willing to pull it and ship it off to someone but needs a recommendation for quality and reasonably timely.   Grumpy is local but just told him to put in a floor shift.
Any suggestions ?
thanks

[Crosley.In.AZ]

Lefty's Auto electric in phoenix AZ at one time was repairing steering columns..

[wayne petty]

what is worn... the shifter bowl?  the lower levers..  sometimes.. you just have to take it apart and clean and tighten everything up....


there is an ajustable collar to reduce clearance between the shifter levers that stick out the side of the column...

the shift rod is like a hockey stick.. with a bent lever that can twist and pull up or down to fit into the upper or lower slot...     if the ajustable collar gets loose... the end can slide between the levers...

the ends of the rods also get loose....   if there is a  lockout inside the case .. it could also be worn.. some parts stores have hurst shifter bushing kits.. many of those will work on gm shifters rods ...


here is an image of the column...

http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/medium/0900823d80112db4.gif

here is a link to a lower bearing ajustment page at autozone.
http://www.autozone.com/images/cds/gif/medium/0900823d80112db3.gif
the image is kinda fuzzy... but it might help.... you can read it if you blow it up to full size....



lmc truck also has parts...

if you can find the gm part numbers... sometimes nuparts.com has replacement column parts...  they are also close to you..


here is the page from lmc truck...

http://www.lmctruck.com/ICATALOG/CB/full.aspx?Page=137