t-18 shifter pin

[fordman]

what is it made of what is it. what can i put back inthere to make shifter not move to eacj side of the truck when it gets shifted? is it similar to a camshaft timing pin?

[robroy]

Hi Fordman! The pin is a solid steel pin that's 5/16" in size. I think they're called "roll pins" although I don't know why. I happen to have my T18 pin out at the moment so I can take a photo for you.

By the way, I asked Novak if they can sell that pin separately but they said they can't; it's part of the master rebuild kit though.

-Robroy

[fordman]

i figured they were a soild steel pin. i just wasnt positive. how long are they?

[robroy]

Hey Fordman! Yeah it's a solid steel pin. I'll measure its length when I find it (it's around here somewhere)...

-Robroy

[averagef250]

Find a drill bit that fits tight in the hole and cut a piece off. That's how I do it. The holes are often wollowed out so an oversize pin is needed to make it tight.

[robroy]

Hey Dustin! Yeah that's the case with mine; I didn't think of using a drill bit instead of the pin. Those sharp edges aren't going to cause trouble with anything? I guess the pin doesn't move in any way; it's just supposed to stay put.

Thanks!
-Robroy

[Alvin in AZ]

Doggonit Dustin beat me to it. :)

Drill bits make real good replacement pins since you can get any size you want,
if you're willing to file or grind down one a little. At the very end it's kind of soft
guessing ~45hrc like a spring and between there and where the flutes are is hard
like 63 to 65hrc unless it's a cobalt enhanced HSS then it can be up to like 70hrc.

I got an extra in the mail from Novak a couple days ago in my T18 kit. But IMO
a drill bit cut and made to order will do it better. Save the drill bit you use, if it
turns out to be too soft of a pin make a new one using the harder part of the
same drill bit. :)

In the past I've always used a magnet to pull that pin out and left the pin stuck
to it until I get around to putting it back. :)

In Ford's truck shop manual they show an exploded view of a T19's gear shift
lever etc and you'll see the spring that's captive and putting pressure between the
lever's swell and the spring seat that slides under the domed cap. I dug through all
my junk I've collected from washing machines etc and added a spring and washers
(can't remember what all! :) to keep both springs centered and working "better".

Can't remember why I did it right now, but grooved the lever for a retainer ring.
LOL :) Why I don't know. Anyway, next time I take it apart I planned to take
pictures of my modification. I try to modify every dangged thing I take apart.

You'll have figured out a way to do it yourself before I get around to changing out
my transmission. :)

Alvin is a tinkering fool in AZ
http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/gearshift.jpg {edit: changed picture}
I made that extension when I worked in the System Signal Shop in Sacramento in '79.
The inside of the lower end is tapered to match the upper shoulder of the original
lever, same with the top of it. :) My clutch had gone out and got me to thinking
about it when I worked in the shop. :) It's in first gear there.

[Alvin in AZ]

Those sharp edges aren't going to cause trouble with anything?
I guess the pin doesn't move in any way; it's just supposed to stay put.

The original is smooth as anything could be on the ends and all over too.
If it were mine, I'd round off then smooth up the ends best I could.

You've got me to thinking about it, and now, I will be looking into making
a larger diameter pin for mine when I get to that part! :)

FreakysFords' idea about buying them is worth looking into if your "tower"
doesn't look beat up inside, IMO.

Alvin in AZ

[fordman]

i have broken drill bits that woudl work. but i need to know how long to make it.

[Alvin in AZ]

i have broken drill bits that woudl work.
i need to know how long to make it.

Oops, lost track of what the thread was about. LOL :)

It's round on both ends and is 5/8" over all length.
It's right at .250" in diameter.

Alvin in AZ
ps- Hey, I want to know what size drill bit you settle on. :)

[fordman]

is there suppose to be a spring or something in there also? right now the shifter just spins from side to side. i pulled it out and knew that it was missing the pin right away. but shouldn't it have something else to hold tension on it?

[Alvin in AZ]

is there suppose to be a spring or something in there also?
right now the shifter just spins from side to side.
i pulled it out and knew that it was missing the pin right away.
but shouldn't it have something else to hold tension on it?

Yeah, a short stiff spring.
It's 1" by 1". :)
The wire is .109" (common size) with only 1+1/2 coils between the "flattened" ends.
It friggin hurts to mash it half way down with my fingers. LOL :)

And the "spring seat" I was talking about that slides inside the threaded cap.
You got that part?

Alvin in AZ
ps- Just those three parts... the pin, the spring and the "spring seat"
pps- http://www.panix.com/~alvinj/file12/T18-shifter.jpg

[fordman]

the shifter is complete the pin is missing. to stop it from turning around in a circle. all of the stuff on the shifter is there. i figured there mioght be a spring that set sideways around the pin to put tension on it to keep it tight or something.

[averagef250]

there is no spring on the pin. The pin should be a tight fit in the bore it sits in

[Alvin in AZ]

It's captive between the slot in the lever and the cap.
What happened to the original pin?
Is it inside the transmission? :)

Alvin in AZ