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We are also having issues getting the column shifter linkages back in correctly.

Does anyone have a picture or document showing the orientation of the two arms coming off the box? We're not sure which is in the front & rear attaching point on the box.

Also, there is a front mounting point where the linkage, with threaded adjusters, attaches to the lower steering column. The mounting point is a steel bushing-like bolt that is about 3" in length and supports the forward end of the arms. We might be missing a bracket that these arms 'bellcrank' the linkage? Any pictures or diagrams would be helpful.

If the part number happens to be cast into the shift arms, then 335473 goes in the frontmost one. Going from memory and mechanical knowledge, there would have to be a bell-crank that transferred the up and down motion of the arms to forward and back motion of the transmission and I think it was attached to a shoulder bolt on the side of the engine. I probably even have one somewhere but I’m not at my shop to check, unfortunately.

Here is a photo from the training manual showing the arms in neutral.




As to the linkage, you can look thru the 37-42 transmission and overdrive service articles for any regarding gear shift sticks, Handishift locking, gearshift rattles etc. There are several photos of individual pieces in various articles that might show enough to tell if you are missing something.

That picture already helps, thanks Howard.

Follow up question;

There is a large, shouldered bolt at the bell-crank end of the shifter arms that looks like it needs a threaded mounting bracket to support the arms at the side of the block. Does anyone have a picture illustrating the shape and mounting place of this bracket? It would help to find it in the boxes of leftover parts.

Red highlited arrow is approximate location of shouldered bolt.




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Sorry, no picture, but the bolt in question screws into the frame, not the block. Might just be a hole there for it.

Not sure if this rather poor quality 39 service manual side view illustration of a late 39 idler would be of any help but I believe the major parts and mounting of the idler assy would be similar if not the same as a 40. Another question would be the master cylinder mounting. Some postwar cars shared the idler mounting bolt with one of those used for the master cylinder but the idler is different so I don't know if that is the case in any of the prewar cars.

Wow, great responses! Thank you Ross and Howard (again).

Howard, I did think that the master cylinder mounting might be part of the equation so we'll do an initial install of the linkage (now that we have a few views of the orientation) and see where the bolt wants to be.

We also appreciate the shift linkage adjustment information. That will come in handy over the coming weeks.


Much appreciated, gents.

The bellcrank is a U shaped bracket, about 3" tall and 2.5" wide. Be mindful of wear in the pivot point, likely candidate for a weld and re-drill....

Every wear surface on my '40 shift linkage was severely worn. Quality time with the wire feed, grinder and Dremel to get them all back into proper form.