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Helping a friend with his 1947 Custom. Everything was in perfect working order mechanically when he put it up for winter last Nov. It starts, runs beautifully but we're having trouble getting it to go into reverse, 1st and 3rd gear. Everything looks in order. He doesn't do computers. Where should we start to trouble shoot? I'm no expert for sure so please be specific as you can.

Do you mean the shift lever is hard or won't move into all those gears or just reverse? If all then I think it needs lube at the shift levers down at the lower end of steering column. Sitting over the winter unmoved could have allowed the levers to corrode a bit. If just reverse, then most likely an OD problem if it has the R9.

Assuming it is all, the levers surrounding the shift tube just above the steering box get little to no lubrication and can seize on the tube. There is a small oil hole which can drip some oil down inside the tube and run out the selector slot to the lower lever but absolutely nothing gets to the top lever unless you spill some oil trying to get in the hole. They were probably originally greased but unless taken apart, doubt have seen anything since new. After all these years a few drops of oil on the top lever is something that would help but usually not done.

Here is a photo of the area. Note on the first photo the corrosion on the shift tube. The levers have to be free to rotate on that tube. In the second photo the corrosion has been cleaned off. The small center piece that rides on the splines in between the levers selects one or the other lever and is the only thing that should move the levers. If one or both levers cannot rotate on the shaft freely, while only one lever may be selected, when the shaft rotates to move that one they will both try to move. The transmission interlock detent inside the trans will prevent that so then you have the problem with shifting. To verify that is the issue, select first or reverse which would be the lower lever and see if the top lever tries to move at the same time you try to shift.

If it does, try some penetrating oil around the shaft above the levers. Also in the small oil hole on the side of tube so some can run down to the spline area for the selector piece. A lot will run out the end of tube since it is open. Let it run around and go between the shaft and the levers. If possible make a dam out of tape so there might be a small reservoir of oil to work it's way down the top lever. If really bad, it might take a sit overnight. Then follow with some regular oil and see if that helps.

If just in reverse, make sure the OD is locked out and/or solenoid is not pulled in due to an electrical problem and try reverse. If it goes in with OD locked out there is a problem that needs checking out.

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Thank you and we'll try your advice and see what happens.