Recommendations for bending Warford shifter

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Model T Ford Forum: Forum 2013: Recommendations for bending Warford shifter
Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 11:33 am:

Howdy fellas - I've been driving my speedster with my aluminum Warford and everything is great . . . except I'm kind of cramped in my seat. I really need the shifter lever to move to the right about 3 inches. It's not unbearable like it is now, but it's definitely getting in my leg when I'm in OD. I've already tried it with the factory bend tilting forward and tilting back.

I'm thinking I'd like to bend the shaft about 45* out towards the passenger side maybe 3" from the base, then back up 45* to vertical after I've achieved my 3" of lateral clearance.

Do I need to heat it? It's pretty thick stuff. I haven't measured the shaft's diameter but I bet it's every bit of 5/8" thick. Just wondering if anyone has done this before or has any info for heating/bending the shaft.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By John Zibell on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 01:45 pm:

Heat is the way to go. You will have more control over the bend. Make you first bend, let it cool, then the second bend. I'd recommend doing the heating and bending out of the car/on the bench as well.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By Seth from NC on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 01:50 pm:

Roger that - I was definitely planning on taking the shifter out of the car.

How hot does it need to be? I don't really have a way to check the temperature other than some sort of color indication.


Top of pagePrevious messageNext messageBottom of page Link to this message  By chris becker on Monday, June 10, 2013 - 02:21 pm:

Seth take the shift lever and tower out of you speedster and heat the lever bright orange do your first bend let it cool. After heat up and do your second you'll have no problems. Let it cool on its own don't cool with water or air as the bends will become brittle and break off in your hand if shifted very hard. Don't ask how I know!


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