I have a 1974 Dodge van, B100, 318 motor, A230 manual transmission. Both of my store bought paperback Chilton manuals do not have an exploded diagram of the disassembled steering column. Does anyone have access to the huge shop manual Dodge used to have, or another source, that has this diagram you could supply me with a copy? Basically, I need to know if the gear shift levers at the end of the steering column are not symmetric because if they are not symmetric rotating a lever 180 degrees (along the long dimension) could make a difference on getting a proper linkage adjustment. Also, if the square interior slot of the lever is offset from a an otherwise symmetrical lever, it could also cause a problem if it was rotated 180 degrees.

 

You know your stuff for sure. Hard to believe how complicated the simplest things on a car are. Thank you !



snaptube vidmate

 

Regarding your question about the levers, it's highly likely they are not symmetric. Automotive designers usually make these components specific to prevent incorrect assembly. If the square interior slot is offset, that's a strong indicator. Rotating a lever 180 https://tropical-casino.com/ degrees would almost certainly throw off your linkage geometry, making proper adjustment impossible and potentially preventing full gear engagement.

 

Thank you for your response. It has been so long and since no one could respond at the time, I put it together the way that seemed logical. If I remember right, there is one lever that was symmetrical, except for a slot inside the hole of the lever that was offset from the centerline through the lever. This was the reason from my post. Anyway, I guess I got it together correctly because it is working now. As part of the project, there is a spacer about 1" wide between the two levers. It was worn so much that I was not able to make proper adjustment by rotating the plastic (neoprene?) thick ring inside the steering column tube. I know a machinist friend and he made another to take up the slack from the wear.