needing a shift fork

[ericlb]

its the 1-2 fork and its for the ms420 transmission in the 1957 chevy in refurbishing, the one it has must be bent as it wont hold in second gear, the truck only has 38000 original miles on it, verified by its original, and only owner, im finding this item is scarce to say the least, the truck is now 90% done, i thought this would be a easy fix, it isnt

 

[ericlb]

pic of the '57, i have the inside painted as well just waiting on a shift fork and a floor mat

 

[Duner Wi]

4 Speed SM420 was used in 1/2 thru 2 ton 48 thru 67 I think.
This # 4.303 591906 should be correct for late 55 thru 62. 1963 used a different # for same trans.
I am not sure if 1-2 fork fits earlier than 55 either as my book is 55-62 for the fork. BW gear book says 48-67 on some stuff but no shift forks listed. No guarantees.

Good luck.

 

[ericlb]

thanks for the number, the one on the actual fork is real faint but was this number, going to look at a tranny this afternoon, may have to swap the entire unit out to get this truck running and on the road

 

[Pops1532]

You might try a want ad on the AACA forum.

 

[jaydee]

You might try Novak conversions in logan Utah. They specialize in Jeep conversions and that particular transmission is popular with rock crawlers. They might have some parts lying around. Having said that, cant you find something at a wrecking yard? That was the best transmission ever built, and was used for many years there must be lots of them in junk yards. Of course I may be out of touch with reality here.

 

[ericlb]

gave them a call, for now they dont have any forks for the old style trans, i found 1 420 out of a 69, its different and swaping the whole unit wont work due to the emergency brake lever mount and im not sure how it mounts to the output of the transmission either

 

[Duner Wi]

Take a look at this. 2 SM420 for sale and one for free.
http://www.jalopyjournal.com/forum/search.php?searchid=10403005

 

[Dave in Tx]

I just bought a "57 4400 and have a 55 tandem axle with a fuel tanker on it. I may sell one because I plan to put a 12 valve in one of them. 325 642 7647

 

[ericlb]

the 57 should have a ms 420 in it, im betting the tandem has a larger tranny, i may try something, a old gent told me this was a common problem back inthe '50's and they would weld the fork up to its original depth, [ there is a rib on it where the coller doesnt reach] then carefully grind it down smooth to that level, and it usually fixed the problem, kind of worried about that as if it dont work i dont have a extra fork to replace it, i did find one tranny , still in the truck, a 54 chevy coe, but the truck is beat! and im betting the tranny is too

 

[ericlb]

found one, its supposed to be excelent condition , used, we"ll see, the ugly brown truck hasnt brought it yet , if not im going to try and build the one i have