'63 Rambler Classic column shifter stuck

I have a '63 Rambler Classic 196ohv with engine redone and modern disc brakes and three-on-tree.

the column shifter for the 3spd. got "stuck" in gear and can't move lever anymore. Nothing is wrong with clutch or transmission though. To get car parked I had to manually move linkages to trans under the hood. I do have a TSM for this car but find the directions on troubleshooting what I assume is a shifting linkage problem, lacking

I am thinking an adjustable rod or bushing inside the steering column could be a problem but have never removed a steering wheel before or torn into a column. Is this a common thing or is there a place to start troubleshooting? Any ideas?

Thanks for reply. I will review TSM again (I'm no mechanic but try) maybe I'm missing a page as it didn't even talk about pulling steering wheel or how.

I can't manually get the shifter in neutral though its truly stuck in reverse position. I could move the linkages to trans to put in neutral is all.

I've never had a T-96 (the manual trans you have) jam in reverse, only in a forward gear. As others have said, pull the shift rods off the trans then put the levers in neutral. It's usually the shifter itself that jams, not the trans. If it's in reverse now (the rear lever is first and reverse, front second and third -- IIRC) then the other lever has to be in the neutral position. Reverse should have the lever forward of neutral, first is to the rear.  So push the lever to the rear once you have the rod off.

The shifter gets loose in the column, not just out of alignment. I don't think the TSM says anything about tightening the shifter. Lock the levers in neutral with the drill bit. If you look at the lower end of the column tube you will find either two or three small screws holding the end to the tube. The screws are in angled slotted holes. Feel around it and find all the screws, then loosen them. The end piece will twist in the slots. You want to move it toward the firewall to tighten the shifter action.

Sometimes it won't tighten enough on a 50+ year old car. The piece the screws go into is plastic, and gets brittle. That piece also holds a bearing for the steering shaft. If the slots won't tighten it enough (a distinct possibility!) you can remove the screws and push the plastic piece up where it needs to be, then drill small holes and insert the screws again. That doesn't always work with the brittle plastic. I've made a new end piece from wood before and that works fine. You need to pull the column to do that though, and will likely need to pull the column to try new screw holes in the original plastic piece as well.

Your only other option is to try using a universal three speed floor shifter. That will work, but may not clear the bench seat. You will have to make or modify the mount bracket also, as there never was one made for the T-96. The shifter will work fine, it's the mounting bracket that isn't just a bolt-on.

That's exactly what happens -- one lever isn't completely in neutral when the other tries to move, resulting in a jammed shifter. The shift mechanism jams, not the transmission itself.