TR2/3/3A Shift Lever Question

[PatGalvin]

I have the HVDA tranny conversion and just installed what I thought was a TR3 Shift Lever. But, the top of the lever is much larger diameter than the shift ball that I have. Do any of you know if this is a stock TR3 lever? If so, what part am I missing in order to mount a shift knob? (as info, the shift lever seems to work fine.

Thanks

Pat

 

[TR3driver]

Yup, that's it. It's a weird thread, too, not easily found. You've probably got a TR4-6 shift knob.

 

[PatGalvin]

Thanks Randall

Yep, I think you are correct. My brand new sexy wooden shift knob has much smaller diameter hole in bottom. Thanks for quick response.

pat

 

[mgedit]

TRF carries one that presumably has the correct thread. It is hard rubber material and narrow, not round. Part 109045 ... on sale right now till midnight for $12 (NFI). Cheers, Mike

 

[pdplot]

Back in 1957, I replaced the small rubber TR3 knob with a black tourmaline doorknob. I had to solder in a new thread as I recall some 50-plus years later. Worked fine too.

 

[Jerry]

Pat,
Let me know the approximate thread and size. I have one die that I bought just for gear shifts for one of the cars. It is a really odd die size.

Jerry

 

[CJD]

I think it's a 32 pitch with a whitworth pattern.

 

[PatGalvin]

I bought the $12 TRF hard rubber knob for now (the tall one). But, ultimately I'd rather run a smaller wooden knob with the red TR3 flag on it. Silly detail, but I think it will look cool. Seems like I could cut an inch off the lever, JB weld or solder in a stud (in whatever appropriate thread pattern will work on newer knobs), and have this one solved. Any thoughts?

Starting to move my car out of the garage (under it's own engine power). So, I'll be sending a video soon of me doing laps up and down the court, after 7 years of wrenching on this thing.


Pat

 

[sp53]

It might be better if you have an old knob to try and get the threaded insert out of that and put that in a knob you like

 

[CJD]

It might be better if you have an old knob to try and get the threaded insert out of that and put that in a knob you like

That's a great idea, Steve! My knob is the worst looking part on the planet, but the insert will come in handy. Glad you guys posted before I tossed it...

 

[PatGalvin]

Is that a shift knob? Looks like something generated around a campfire, when making Smores?

 

[pdplot]

Looks nasty! I replaced my rubber knob because rubber dust was coming off on my hand. The hard doorknob cured that plus it took less effort to shift with more leverage provided by the bigger knob. The leather knob on my TR6 looks and feels better than that old TR3 ever did. If it fits a TR2, 3 or 4, perhaps that's the way to go if you don't care about authenticity. I sure don't.

 

[martx-5]

The threads on the shift lever are 7/16"-32.

 

[CJD]

Is that a shift knob? Looks like something generated around a campfire, when making Smores?

Aaaahh...that's one of my best original parts you're talking about. It just needs some Armourall and it'll be awrite!

 

[PatGalvin]

The threads on the shift lever are 7/16"-32.

Not having any idea where to find such a nut, I did some google searching. I can't find jam nuts with 7/16-32 but it looks like a common size for "panel nuts" used for switches. Jameco Electronics sells them, as do other electronic supply houses. Those nuts would be thinner than a jam nut. If anyone knows where a 7/16-32 jam nut could be found, I'd be very curious.

pat

 

[TR3driver]

I But, ultimately I'd rather run a smaller wooden knob with the red TR3 flag on it.

Looks like LBCarCo might have a few left:
https://www.lbcarco.com/cgi-bin/gen5?nextform=/gearknobcloseout.html&t=_top&o=

They also show up on eBay from time to time; although you have to check carefully for fit (as you may have already learned). There were some made that had interchangeable plastic inserts to let them fit multiple cars; but in general a TR4 knob won't fit a TR3.

I got kind of disgusted with the old AMCO ones, kept splitting the walnut around the insert (probably from over-enthusiastic shifting). But they did look nice!

BTW, if you can find one of the locknuts, you can use it to adjust the height of the knob to some extent. Personally, I prefer it short as otherwise the side of my hand tends to drag on the bottom of the dash, which wore the side of my old driving gloves. Especially on my former TR3A, which had the clip for the in-line tail light fuse right there, which had a sharp edge on it.

 

[Perrymip]

Macy's Garage has the locknuts: https://www.macysgarage.com/myweb6/Parts/tr2_3_hdwe.htm#TR2/3 Gearshift Knob Lock Nut

 

[FordFiesta]

Besides the stock knobs available new, new-old-stock and used wood AMCO knobs show up fairly often on Ebay

 

[SteveBones]

Macy's garage I believe sells them (If you are talking about the nut that goes on before the shift lever to secure it - stop it from spinning).

 

[Geo Hahn]

The San Diego Wild Animal Park (now the Safari Park) has an abandoned Land Rover as part of the Heart of Africa exhibit:

Peering in one can see an interesting feature:

Sadly, after being there for many years someone finally broke into the cab and swiped that knob.