September 5, 2020:
Today we got the face-plated Doug-Nash 5-speed that we’ve been working on this summer in our ’57, fired it up and it shifts like glass on jack stands. However, the shifter would not stay in adjustment and we finally found a worn 3-4 shift lever which was moving and replaced it.
The Long shifters are an engineering marvel but are very sensitive to proper adjustment to function properly! Video below on how minimum movement in the linkage can cause major shifter issues.
Face-plated unit at top,
Old pro-shifted unit bottom
Prior to firing we checked all the valve spring pressures in the 372 and they are like new!
My thanks to Chris & Paul who did all the heavy lifting today, job well done guys!! I just looked at our old pro-shifted Doug-Nash unit, it needs the shift ring replaced on 4th and a new 3-4 slider. Not bad considering!! It will be a solid backup transmission for 2021. – Roger
Destroyed 4th gear side of 3-4 slider out of our pro-shifted Doug-Nash (Popped out of 4th on last hit)
Worn 4th gear shift ring. Liberty’s Gears will weld a new one on the gear.
Back-up Doug-Nash with new 4th gear shift ring & new 3-4 slider
Back-up Doug-Nash with Long shifter assembled
Face-plated Doug-Nash with Long shifter
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Misty supervising the transmission swap, our pit dog!!
An important notice from Liberty’s Gears:
“Pro shifting and face plating eliminate the need to worry about missed shifts. This is made possible by removing the stock synchronizers and opening up the engagement window for faster, higher RPM shifting.
“Initially, the cost of face plating is slightly more than pro shifting, but in the long run you will find that face plating is more cost effective due to less wear on engagement components.
“With Pro Shifting, the shift lugs engage on the inside of the slider and as the pro rings wear from normal use, they burr up and require dressing, deburring and/or replacement to maintain smooth shifting.
“With face plating, the engagement lugs are on the face of the slider which will not allow them to burr up and require maintenance. The design of the face plate shift lugs have more contact area which makes them substantially more durable, so longevity is increased dramatically and there is virtually no chance of them popping out of gear.
I know that you have put in many, many hours updating this latest transmission for installing in the ’57 Chev. You are one hellava mechanic!!! I hope your sons have paid close attention to the all details and knowledge you have shared with them in all things “The Chev”, as one day this knowledge will fall upon their shoulders in carrying the legacy forward. Team Edwards & Young rocks!!
Liberty’s Gears made it all possible by making a custom 6.5″ input shaft to make it work with a Mopar 18-spline clutch disc behind a Chevy bellhousing using a Ford to Chevy pilot bushing. They nailed it from the measurements I gave them over the phone! They also provided the retaining collar to work with a Chevy throwout bearing & Chev bellhousing register!
September 9, 2020 Update:
Thanks to Pam, 4th gear is now on its way to Liberty’s to have a new shift ring installed for our backup transmission!!
October 29, 2020 update
I’m becoming frustrated with Liberty’s Gears. 4th gear has been there for six-weeks and still not back!! I want to get our old transmission back together, I’m tired of having a torn-apart transmission on my bench for months!! At this turn-around rate, if you hurt a transmission early in the season, you’d be lucky to get back on the track that year!! NOT ENCOURAGING!!
After installing the face-plated transmission, we learned the 3-4 shift lever was worn and would not hold adjustment. We replaced it, readjusted the shifter and stops and all is well. We’ve ordered a replacement for our backup transmission from Long Shifters!
I ordered two replacements Monday morning and had them from Pennsylvania Wednesday by noon!