automatic transmission shifting

Asked by Margie Jun 20, 2017 at 02:03 PM about the 1981 Chevrolet C/K 10 RWD

Question type: Maintenance & Repair

Ihave a 1981 chev stepside pickup, 350 turbo automatic transmission, column
shift. I can shift from reverse, neutral second and first, but I can't find drive.
The column shifter is sloppy. I can fish around and find it sometimes but not
always. The truck has sat for over a year.

1 Answer

4,045

That truck has a solid linkage made up of metal rods. If you can find most gears ok. The linkage is good. These trucks had very soft aluminum and plastic steering column parts. Drive is the most often selected gear, so it's common for the drive detent in the column to be worn out. You can either have it rebuilt, Or locate a good used one. Rebuilding can get expensive though.

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