OT: 1957 Chevy truck will not shift

Steve(Tx) · Feb 6, 2014

Hello to all,

I just purchased a 1957 Chevy 3800 one-ton dually. The 4 speed floor shifter will not shift.

The previous owner bought the truck in the same condition as a project but never attempted any repairs.

Any ideas on where to begin are appreciated.

Steve

jdv · Feb 6, 2014

Probably hung in two gears, may have to take the shifter out and line up the shift rails, and put the shifter back in, kinda tricky but what do you have to lose?

Anonymous-0 · Feb 6, 2014

If the shifter will not move it's into a rail that's in neutral but another rail is out of neutral.Lift out shifter, get all rails in neutral then put shifter back in. Look it over to see if it's too worn to work and can slide between rails.Need to fix that.
Later Bob

Bob · Feb 6, 2014

Will not shift,as in shift lever is stuck, etc..?

Or, shift lever is NOT stuck, but it can"t be shifted "cuz the clutch doesn"t release?

BushogPapa · Feb 7, 2014

4-speed as in "Truck Transmission" with Creeper gear..??
Or 4-speed automobile transmission..?
The truck trans is easy to open and look..take the top off..shifter comes off with it.
The Auto trans usually has shifting problems because of miss-adjusted linkage from shifter to transmission levers.

Ron.

Steve(Tx) · Feb 7, 2014

Thanks to everyone.

To clarify, the shift lever will not move.

I will try all of the suggestions.

Thanks,

Steve

oldtanker · Feb 7, 2014

(quoted from post at 01:34:59 02/07/14) Thanks to everyone.

To clarify, the shift lever will not move.

I will try all of the suggestions.

Thanks,

Steve

If it is stuck it's one f 2 problems. froze due to water contamination or worn enough that it's as stated before. In the latter case it can be can be fixed with a little welding and a file... If it has water contamination the best fit may be a newer tranny

Rick.

Anonymous-0 · Feb 7, 2014

I HAVE 55 AND 57 CHEVYS. TAKE TOP OF TRANNIE,COULD BE LOCKED IN 2 GEARS,SHIFTERS BENT OR BROKE,LINKAGE FROM SHIFTER TO TRAN WORN OR POSSIBLY LOOSE, NOT A MAJOR ISSUE, BUT MUST TAKE OFF TOP BEFORE CAN SEE PROBLEM. FEEL IS VERY MINOR. I WOULD GUESS THAT ONE SIDE OF THE SHIFTER LEVER INSIDE THAT GOES OVER THE MAIN SHAFT IS BROKEN ON ONE SIDE. THIS WILL NOT LET ANY PATTERN SHIFT.

Bus Driver · Feb 8, 2014

I had a New Process 4 speed that hung in first gear. The second gear synchronizer had broken loose and the ring from it had dropped down between the gears.
The NP was used mostly in Ford and Dodge.

OT: 1957 Chevy truck will not shift

Steve(Tx)

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jdv

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Anonymous-0

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Bob

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BushogPapa

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Steve(Tx)

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oldtanker

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Anonymous-0

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Bus Driver

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