I have a 64 El camino with a 3-speed manual transmission on the column. The shifter feels like it has a lot of "play" in it. The gears are hard to find due to the "play" in the shifter. Several people have suggested that I replace the bushings, however, I have not located any bushings through several different major Chevelle-El Camino suppliers. I was wondering if anybody has/had this problem, and how can I correct it without getting rid of this transmission set-up. I called "True Connections" and the gentleman told me that he did not have any bushings, I had to make them myself. He did not give me any further information on how to make the bushings. Or can it be another worn out part, not the bushings that cause this "play." Thanks in advance!

Open the hood and have a look at the end of the steering shaft as it comes thru the firewall. You'll notice three 1/4" ( In other words it takes a 1/4" wrench to turn them or maybe its 5/16". I don't recall.) hexheaded bolts in the shaft. The holes thru which those bolts go are obliquely slotted such that if you loosen the bolts you can turn the shaft(bolts) up in those slots. That serves to tighten up the shift linkage a bit. Its a good possibility that your car has never had that particular service preformed on it.

I may be describing this inadequately since the last time I had to perform that particular function was on a 1961 Chevy station wagon in the early 70's.

Its been a long time since I saw the setup but I think I gave you enough info to do the job. Just remember its VERY simple.

Do it carefully and thoughtfully and you'll probably notice an improvement in your shifter performance.

wanna have some fun?
let a kid try to drive your car.. that "3 on the tree" deal just messes with people's heads.
hell, even the guys at GM don't know how to drive them. last summer i got to ride in one of GM's show cars at the CarCraft Summer Nats- the 55 Chevy that looks like Smokey's old race car from wat back when. they built it with a "3 on the tree" setup. the guy driving it- maybe in his mid 20's and a powertrain engineer for GM- asked me if i knew how to find 2nd gear, since he only gets to drive it at car shows and what not, he only knew where reverse and 1st were..