58 Sportwin shift linkage

[tjandrews]

While on a fishing trip to the St. Lawrence River last week, we discovered that the shift follower assembly had broken. This meant that sometimes it would shift into forward, but more often not. No idea when it happened, sometime in storage, I guess. Not having any other acceptable resources at the time, I went to the local Walmart, bought some JB Weld, and made the repair shown in the photo.

The repair held up all week, and looks to me like it could hold indefinitely. The part is readily available on eBay for about $20-25. So, I could get the part and make a proper repair, or I could save myself some gas money and just go with it the way it is, possibly for years.

What to do, what to do. What do you guys think?

 

[racerone]

No question ----Replace it.----You are risking damage to expensive gears and clutch dog.

 

[lindy46]

Yeah - just a matter of time.

 

[Cat nip]

Replace it! Otherwise you will always be thinking about it and it WILL fail at a real bad time.

 

[Chinewalker]

I'm in 1000 Islands and likely have the,part. PM if you're in the neighborhood.

 

[tjandrews]

Thanks for the offer, Chinewalker, but I made an offer for a used one on eBay last night before seeing this, and it was accepted. $16, including shipping. Also includes the handle and spring, not included in the new part.

I'm back home in the Syracuse area and back to work, anyway. Although I'd rather be fishing for walleyes and smallmouths.