Both the 41that we used to have and my 47 the vacuum shift always worked with just nor maintenance. Many years ago I was looking at a 48 that he vacuum shift had been removed, I didn’t like the way it shifted. Others may have better experience with one that been removed.

Mike,  Vacuum shift was standard on the 1939-1948 passenger cars except for the 1939 Master 85 that still had the floor shift transmission. Both my 1941 and 1948 shift great and are adjusted as outlined in the factory service manual including using the special spacer to set the clearance at the vacuum shift linkage at the transmission.  It would be helpful if you could describe exactly the symptoms you are experiencing and any changes you have made since the car was delivered.  I am more inclined to believe the transmission was, or is now, hung up between gears.  This sometimes happens when the bushings in the shift linkage are worn.  Try manually moving the shift linkage levers on the steering column.  I agree with Dennis, cars with the vacuum shift removed seem odd.

Thank you gents,

Ok, I will share the rest of the story and a reminder she shifted with ease prior to delivery.

-The Fleetline has hydraulic suspension and the front passenger side dropped to the tailer floor while the driver side remained at stock height. Upon delivery I discovered the awkward stance and of course leveled her out but I could not shift her into reverse at that time so I put her in neutral and rolled down the trailer. Shifting has been terrible from the time of delivery as if I am shifting against rubber bumpers or the vacuum is working against me instead of helping like it is out of sync.

-I ordered new linkage bushings and a bushing for the shift column. The entire shift linkage is sloppy as is much of the car. I have since received my repo shop manual and watched jayhawker adjust the linkage on his 48. Google ai did suggest the trans is hung up between gears too. I'm not sure what is correct in terms of feel as the shifter from the trans is extremely sloppy as in very loose but physically trying to shift at the trans seems difficult but I didn't force it. I was able to drive her around town a bit but shifting got steadily worse until I was not able to put her in first or reverse. 

-I attempted to adjust the shift linkage to the trans per the shop manual but I ran out of threaded shaft so I stopped and secured the bolt. I did discover a linkage pin out of the bracket and have now secured that, but no obvious improvement. Chevsofthe40s parts arriving today, but I suspect it is more than sloppy linkage causing my issue as the car shifted beautifully prior to delivery.

-I guess what I am asking is if I were to simulate a new install and start fresh, what would the sequence of adjustments look like. Keep in mind I am solo, so no helpers available to assist. The wild card in all of this is I dont know if the linkage had been modified to enable the car to lay on the ground but I will assume it is stock for the most part.

Thanks for the help.

Mike

Mike,  Looking at the pictures you posted I don’t see any glaring issues other than the selector rod linkage not being engaged in the right hand bracket. According to your notes, this has been repaired.  While it’s hard to see, there should be a spring between the washer and the ear on the left, see my picture below.

Since you are able to drive around I don’t believe you are hung up between gears but have a combination of the shift linkage out of adjustment and the vacuum cylinder valve out of adjustment. So that we’re using the same terminology, the selector rod is the small diameter located higher on the steering column and the shift control rod is larger sitting lower on the column.  The procedure to adjust these two rods is described in steps 4 and 5 on page 7-16 of the shop manual. Make sure the gear shift lever on the transmission is in neutral before starting the adjustments. Also, when making these adjustments, it will be easier if you disconnect the vacuum cylinder yoke from the gear shift lever on the transmission by removing the pin.

To adjust the vacuum cylinder valve you’ll need the adjusting bushing shown in Fig 30 page 7-17 of the manual. This adjusting bushing is listed as item J14525 in the Chevs of the 40’s catalog where it is called “vacuum shift adjustment tool”. It comes with instructions. Hope this helps.