I tried everything to get a 3rd shift and nothing. I spent hours trying to lock out 2nd, (thinking that I might have a 1-3 shift) and nothing. So after some searching I looked up several of the posts on 2-3 "fixes" etc. After much reluctance, I removed the tranny and checked it out. I could have put in washers, but that's not really the problem, it is the center ball adjustments that needs to be perfect. It can only be done with the black piece out. Here's how to adjust it...

Squeeze the 2 shoes together, and adjust the center. Check how close that you are by rotating the center piece. Do this to both sides, zero slop. Now Cen says to back it out another 1/8th turn I did not, that will reduce the throw of the shoes, and I wanted maximum engagement. I adjusted the outer screws to the factory 7 1/2 turns out. And put it all together.

Bingo, 3rd shift every time, works great. Mine engages slightly early, but that can be adjusted by reducing to 7 or 7 1/4 turns or so on the outer screws.

I was thinking that was basically why the ".030 washer fix" worked. Only that adds weight. But it allows a small movement to lock the 3rd.

This "fix" allows everything to work as designed. Now in all honesty this isn't a fix, because nothing is wrong but an adjustment.

So, that's all folks, hopefully this will benefit somebody. BTW, 3rd hits HARD! And it's sweet hearing yeee, yeeeee, yeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee