Inland shifter gate spring replacement...

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Miranthis

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No need to tell me to convert to Hurst, that is not what I am doing. Yes, I know I am a fool. No, you can't say anything that will change my mind as being stubborn is one of my superpowers, or so I am told. And Yes, I know I am beyond all hope.

Now, having scared off the usual Hurst fanboys, for those of you that still stuck around (even just to watch me flail and fail) :lol: , anyone have even a piece of the broken GATE spring (not the one in the chrome shift handle, but the one in the actual shift gate on the output shaft of the Trans - See the post #6 below for pics ), or some measurements, or even a pic of the thing? I am looking at the general coil compression springs that are available and thought I might take a stab at fixing my shifter. As opposed to just buying random springs and doing trial and error I thought i might ask. Even a single measurement of wire size, length, etc. will seriously narrow my choices.

I drove it for decades without one, so it's not a deal breaker, but while I have my 66 Barracuda apart, this is one of the things I am looking to do.

And for you "for the love of all that is holy just convert it to Hurst" folks that STILL hung around (you know who you are ) if you sh1t-canned your inland and have a specimen of the spring to donate to the cause (or sell) let me know. I do want to have an answer for those of us that insist on driving inland shifter cars.
 
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1966-1968 INLAND SHIFT HANDLE REVERSE CABLE/SPRING - Mopar A833 4-Speed Transmission & Component Specialists
If you still want to take a stab at it yourself, you could get some pretty close approximations of size by doing some comparison measurements on your cable and compare to the picture in the above link.
You could also call Brewer's, since they rebuild and sell rebuilt Inland mechanisms it would be reasonable to assume they have the springs- even though they're not individually listed in their online catalog.
 
Which spring? The reverse lockout, or the spring that keeps the shift handle in line with 1-2 gate?

Inland's are great, and a unique part of the earlier mopars!
 
1966-1968 INLAND SHIFT HANDLE REVERSE CABLE/SPRING - Mopar A833 4-Speed Transmission & Component Specialists
If you still want to take a stab at it yourself, you could get some pretty close approximations of size by doing some comparison measurements on your cable and compare to the picture in the above link.
You could also call Brewer's, since they rebuild and sell rebuilt Inland mechanisms it would be reasonable to assume they have the springs- even though they're not individually listed in their online catalog.
The spring I am talking about is NOT the cable spring in the chrome shift handle in the passenger compartment that keeps you out of reverse, but the GATE SPRING. You can see where it WOULD be if it was not missing in this picture of mine before it went in the evapo-rust. The upper piece is the one that attaches to the chrome shifter. The round hole in the side is for a compression spring that bears on the case below when assembled. The front of the vehicle is to the right in the first pic.
20250202_201655.jpg


Here is the part assembled (viewed from the rear), but without the shift levers that attach to the shift rods. The doubled headed arrow is where the missing/broken spring goes that keeps pressure on the gate.
rear view shifter.JPG

Another view, this one from the bottom.
bottom view.jpg


That hole is a tad over 0.5 inch. Its purpose is to force the shifter handle AWAY from the reverse gate, except when YOU put it over there (and presumably then actuate the reverse lockout t-handle). From another thread where someone was trying to BUY a used one over on the B Body forum (WTB - Inland 4 speed shifter Internal Spring) it appears that Brewers also does not have these springs (they are not for sale on his site even now). The quote there is "Correct its the spring inside the shifter. I talked to Dan at Brewers earlier in the week & he wouldn't mind some himself. He a few shifters missing the same spring." That is from message #6 on that thread made on 9/15/2023
 
From another thread where someone was trying to BUY a used one over on the B Body forum (WTB - Inland 4 speed shifter Internal Spring) it appears that Brewers also does not have these springs (they are not for sale on his site even now). The quote there is "Correct its the spring inside the shifter. I talked to Dan at Brewers earlier in the week & he wouldn't mind some himself. He a few shifters missing the same spring." That is from message #6 on that thread made on 9/15/2023
I heard back from Brewers myself today that the spring is not available, and he does not replace them when he rebuilds them, as he reuses the original if it is there. Seems there is no exploded view of the shifter assembly as it was supplied by inland as a unit and replaced as a unit, but not internally serviced by MOPAR. So, i will get mine out of the evapo-rust and reassemble it and see if i can figure out the spring dimensions and maybe a replacement spring size on my own.
 
I bought an inland shifter and rods for a 66 Barracuda from a member here a while back. My wife had stashed it in our laundry room as she thinks every room in the house is hers...LOL It is in very good condition. Ill look at it tonight after work and see if we can help you here. I cant sell you the spring if it is there but maybe can help you with dimensions. Dont feel like the lone ranger we have 3 cars with Inlands and dont plan on changing them either.
 
I bought an inland shifter and rods for a 66 Barracuda from a member here a while back. My wife had stashed it in our laundry room as she thinks every room in the house is hers...LOL It is in very good condition. Ill look at it tonight after work and see if we can help you here. I cant sell you the spring if it is there but maybe can help you with dimensions. Dont feel like the lone ranger we have 3 cars with Inlands and dont plan on changing them either.
That would be perfect. I have the dimensions of the space it goes in, but there are several critical measurements like size of the wire, number of coils, how the ends are finished, etc., that are important to have to find what spring fits closest. The hope is they used a standard spring size with minimal customization. Also, free length will tell me how compressed the spring is, and if the measured spring diameter is 0.5 or 0.512, that will tell me if it's supposed to self-retain in the hole or if is held in by compression alone.
 
That would be perfect. I have the dimensions of the space it goes in, but there are several critical measurements like size of the wire, number of coils, how the ends are finished, etc., that are important to have to find what spring fits closest. The hope is they used a standard spring size with minimal customization. Also, free length will tell me how compressed the spring is, and if the measured spring diameter is 0.5 or 0.512, that will tell me if it's supposed to self-retain in the hole or if is held in by compression alone.
Let me see what I can do if there is a spring in mine. I am an Industrial maintenance tech and have to order springs quite often. I am with you 100% regarding the dimensions. I can bring it to work, take the spring out and measure everything and put calipers on the spring. Ill post everything so it can be passed along to other members and Dan.
 
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Let me see what I can do if there is a spring in mine. I am an Industrial maintenance tech and have to order springs quite often. I am with you 100% regarding the dimensions. I can bring it to work, take the spring out and measure everything and put calipers on the spring. Ill post everything so it can be passed along to other members and Dan.
I gathered some pics from EBay of some inlands for sale that show the spring, but it is always an afterthought. I can get number of coils from the pics and try to approximate the wire size by comparison with known parts of the shifter assembly i DO have, but if you can get actual dimensions that would be so much better.
 
I gathered some pics from EBay of some inlands for sale that show the spring, but it is always an afterthought. I can get number of coils from the pics and try to approximate the wire size by comparison with known parts of the shifter assembly i DO have, but if you can get actual dimensions that would be so much better.
that's funny I did the same thing but was too impatient to keep looking to find pics with the springs.
Spring Type Compression
Material Steel
Wire size .105
Od .525
Free Length .835
Number of coils 6
Ends ground
NOTE...The ends are ground but the spring end spirals are not perpendicular to the spring. The side view of the spring has both ends still spiraling away from the spring center.
I'm going to put a positioning stop in the opposite end of the spring hole while I have this apart to keep the spring even and keep it from being able to "pop" out. (the opposite end of the hole where your yellow double arrow is in your photo.) Inland probably should have originally done this.
I ended up drilling and tapping the outer frame for a 5/16 fine thread set screw. Now I can put the spring in and turn the set screw into the middle of the spring to keep that end in place. They probably should have put a "dimple" in the frame when it was stamped to secure this end of the spring in place.
 
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I highly doubt the spring is not going to pop out, it is captured in there. Mine was broke in two and was laying in the lower boot. Haven't forums it yet.

I have two in service that haven't popped out yet.
One I know the original owner, the other was broken when I got it and replaced it 30 years ago with no trouble since.
 
The spring is only captured at one end...the non captured end is just held in by spring pressure and the angled ends of the spring. (this may be why yours is broken) When I took mine apart to get these dimensions for Miranthis I didn't have to disassemble anything...it just popped right out. The spring has to be installed with the angled ground ends in the right position or it will fall out during movement. I am just under the supposition that might be the reason so many people are looking for the springs. The mechanism I have is like new from a low mile car. It was definitely worth it to take the ten minutes to capture the opposite end. The spring cannot even be popped out now unless I remove the 5/16-24 set screw.
 
that's funny I did the same thing but was too impatient to keep looking to find pics with the springs.
Spring Type Compression
Material Steel
Wire size .105
Od .525
Free Length .835
Number of coils 6
Ends ground
i
Check this set of springs. I need to measure the deflection to see if one of these or another is a better fit. I suspect that SS is the right material, especially if we are going to have to hunt for the right spring with trial and error a bit.

Advanced Search Results Over 70 Trillion Custom & Stock springs

If you had to pick, which one of these should we try?
 
I would try the first one. The original one is carbon steel not stainless but from a dimensional standpoint I like the first one. Here's the rub. Those springs all have flat ends and this Inland one is an odd bird (Having ground ends but still pitched not flat) I don't have a cell or I would send or post you a picture of that. I would try and find a carbon one but for the price of the one in the chart it might be worth a run at it. If you get the first one and pop it in there and all is well move the handle around a lot with the frame clamped in a vice while watching the spring. If it does the hokie pokie dance I would capture the non captured end.
 
I would try the first one. The original one is carbon steel not stainless but from a dimensional standpoint I like the first one. Here's the rub. Those springs all have flat ends and this Inland one is an odd bird (Having ground ends but still pitched not flat) I don't have a cell or I would send or post you a picture of that. I would try and find a carbon one but for the price of the one in the chart it might be worth a run at it. If you get the first one and pop it in there and all is well move the handle around a lot with the frame clamped in a vice while watching the spring. If it does the hokie pokie dance I would capture the non captured end.
It keeps resorting on me when i reload the page. :-( . The minimum order is like $40, so i can order one of each of the cheaper ones and ONE of the expensive ones and see what fits best. I have the transmission out, so will test fit them.
 
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