VAC shifter installation

Good morning! I need someone's expert assistance in reinstalling the shifter in my great-grandpa's 1950 VAC. I inadvertently lifted it high enough to disengage the shifter forks, and now I have no idea what position the gears need to be in for neutral, and just a fuzzy idea of the proper position for the fork assembly. I've spent hours scouring this forum's archives and the Internet in general, but found nothing. Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Take a minute to study how the fork go into the collars on the gears. VAC's only have 3 forks. I like to install the cover at a slight angle toward the reverse idler
gear.(This is the fork to itself on the side.) Then simply slide the 2 gears on the trans main shaft the correct distance for the 2 center forks to slide into place. You
can look from the side to watch as the forks go in. Be cautious the first time you operate the tractor and check that all gears work. Do not force it or pull up with the
bolts. It should slide into place easily if everything is lined up. Good Luck and dont be afraid to ask more questions. Nick

Thanks for the assistance, Nick! I tried several times today to reinstall the shifter, but each time I would end up with two of the four forward gears and no reverse, or all four forward gears and no reverse, or reverse and and two forward gears. Apparently I'm still doing something wrong! Does the reverse fork go the front of the smaller gears, to the rear of them, or in between them?

I'm trying to attach a photo in order to have some point of reference. I'm assuming the two smaller gears appearing at the top of the photo are for reverse(?).

my 2 bits worth jack 1 rear wheel up and try turning it when you put it back.less chance of breaking anything like when you try under power. looks like you got the foreward gears set right and reverse might need to be a tad farther back. don't feel bad when I worked for ihc we had a Minnie mo in the shop and all 3 of us grease monkeys had a turn at putting the shifter in.dang near a half day wasted,we went to dinner and bruce said its my turn.he picked it up n set it down n hit every collar perfectly. I had to add to the humor as I had picked up a sledge hammer left by the door.i said it went in cause it seen me get this sledge n was afraid I was gonna make sure it went in place

Yeah, the sledgehammer idea has crossed my mind once or twice! My biggest question is where the reverse fork gets positioned. In front of the reverse gears? Behind 'em? Between them? Thanks for the help...I really appreciate it!

between them, has to push as well as pull the gear in and out of mesh

OK lets start over, forget everything that has happened so far except Nick's post. These 2 pics are from a 1956 310. Study them a little and you can see the forks and collars are nearly identical to your VAC. Ignore everything but the forks and collars.

Pic 1 is the forks marked to mating collars to coincide with your shift pattern.

Pic 2 is the collars marked for the corresponding forks.

Unfortunately the pics are oriented back to back. Just imagine the forks flipped clockwise so they end up above the corresponding collars and both "front of tractor" arrows in the same direction.

Hold the shifter above the transmission opening and slide the gears with collars to match the forks, reverse gear first and then the 2 top gears. Nick has written exactly how to lower the shifter in place. Note that he says to lean the shifter so the reverse fork lines up with the corresponding reverse collar then note how the other 2 collars are positioned and slide them in place. When all the forks/collars look like they are positioned to mate, again reverse fork going down first and then vertical the shifter to engage the other 2 collars. If it doesn't slide in place easily, it is not correctly positioned, start over with lining up reverse fork/collar until you get it right.

Joe

Your pic. Like Nick said, ask questions.

Joe

Thank you very much! I spent hours online trying to find a photo or diagram like that...

Thanks Joe,
As always your post is very good !!
I got busy today and forgot to check back in.
Nick

Have your shifter stick will be in neutral when you start lining up. Don't worry about where the gears are on the shaft. When you get all the fork/collars mated properly with the cover down flat, wobble the shift stick free, line up the cover bolt holes and the transmission will automatically be in neutral.

I was wondering why you hadn't jumped back in Nick. After reading your response this morning I figured it was a done deal.

Joe

A great big "Thank you!" to everyone who provided advice on this!! Took me three attempts right after church this morning, but got the shifter installed and everything buttoned
up.

I really appreciate your help!

Michael

Well, I know I typed a thank you message on here yesterday, but I don't see it, so let's try again...

Was able to get the shifter installed yesterday after several tries, and wanted to say thank you to everyone who helped me out! I can't begin to tell you how great is was to see the responses from guys willing to provide advice, pictures, and encouragement.

Thanks again!!

Michael