Transmission Question - How concerned should I be?

C

CleaningTheGarage

Junior Member
First time changing the fluids today and found this in the dimple in the bottom of the transmission plug. (See pics).

The large piece appears to be part of a gear tooth. I'm obviously concerned about it, but don't know to what extent I should be. Where on the spectrum between "Don't move it, don't let the gears turn or engage until the whole thing is broken down and rebuilt" on one end and "Ah, that's normal for an A. Keep driving until it sounds like popcorn and won't stay in gear" on the other.

Any help on the scope of the severity, causes, options for remediation and preventive measures would be greatly appreciated.

I have a lot I want to get done in a short time to get her road worthy and I'm trying to prioritize the order in which I fall down rabbit holes.

Thanks!
 

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Pull the top off the trans and see how much damage there is,
I would not want to drive it without further inspection.
 
Someone has been “Power Shifting”.

I agree, remove top of transmission. I think your looking at a rebuild. What kind of noises is it making?
 
Casino's are full of Gamblers. Question is...............how many times do you want to remove the engine or rear end to remove the ******? Not trying to be a wise A$$. Just the voice of experience.
 
What you probably want to hear: That's no big deal. Just keep driving it like that.

What you need to hear: That is a concern. Pull the shift tower and have a thorough inspection before something much worse happens. If it's just a tooth missing from reverse, you're probably OK for a while. The shavings looks like someone has been shifting improperly. Some of that glitter looks like possible bearing material. ****** rebuild seminar is in your future.
 
The first photo looks to me like a roll pin ?! If its a gear tooth I’am suggesting no bang shifting as seen on some TV shows !
 
Oh oh. Mitchell has nice new transmissions with synchro on 2nd and 3rd gear. You will have to get on the waiting list so call tomorrow.
 
When a tooth breaks, the tooth behind it will have more pressure on it so it's going to keep on breaking down. A tooth fragment will damage other teeth as well. If it was the reverse idler then 1st through high are usable but it is likely in the 1st gear train. It could be on the main shaft slider or on the countershaft cluster but it definitely came from somewhere. Fix it before all the gears are damaged.
 
Thank you all! Further examination will be next, and the rebuild added to my rabbit hole list. I appreciate the direct responses. Safer to identify the need in the garage then on the side of the road.

WHN said:
What kind of noises is it making?
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None that was apparent. Shifting up and down was smooth. But only 5 miles of driving in her.
 
rotorwrench said:
When a tooth breaks, the tooth behind it will have more pressure on it so it's going to keep on breaking down. A tooth fragment will damage other teeth as well. If it was the reverse idler then 1st through high are usable but it is likely in the 1st gear train. It could be on the main shaft slider or on the countershaft cluster but it definitely came from somewhere. Fix it before all the gears are damaged.
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Appreciate the detail. The way I drive, reverse is pretty useful.

nkaminar said:
Oh oh. Mitchell has nice new transmissions with synchro on 2nd and 3rd gear. You will have to get on the waiting list so call tomorrow.
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Thanks. I'm learning those are common. Waiting lists, that is.
 
nkaminar said:
Oh oh. Mitchell has nice new transmissions with synchro on 2nd and 3rd gear. You will have to get on the waiting list so call tomorrow.
Click to expand...

Without a doubt the synchros are nice but what I really like about the Mitchell Trans is the 15% over 1st and 2nd to close up the gap between 2nd and 3rd.

Gene F said:
And you are where??? Are you a member of a local Model-A chapter?
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I concur, post your location. Lots of guys have "extra"transmissions. I don't know what goes on in my garage at night but they seem to be multiplying. I have two good used transmissions and a totally rebuilt one right now. I doubt I will ever use them now that I have the Mitchell Trans installed.
 
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Pulled the shift tower and thoroughly examined all the gears. No broken teeth or other damage consistent with the shard I found. A little burring on the edge of a few teeth, but doesn't appear to be enough to account for all the "glitter" in the cap. To me it looks great, but I'm admittedly ignorant.

Briefly considered it might have come from the "cup" that holds the spring in the shift tower, but the shard material is too hard to be that.

My new theory is that the cap wasn't cleaned out during a rebuild, or got swapped with a cap from a trashed transmission last time it was out.

Unless someone has something else to check/try, or input based on the pic attached of the open box, I'm going to flush it, close it, fill it, see how it runs and go from there.

Thanks a million for all the input!
 

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That does look pretty good inside. You have rolled all the gears and inspected, and no missing teeth? If that is the case (appears to be), then look at the shift tower. Are both of the split pins that hold the shift forks onto the sliding shafts still in place and in good shape? All that glitter came from somewhere, and what looked like a tooth (could have been a pin) causes great concern. But, you could be right- Maybe someone didn't clean that out when reassembling or similar??? That would be odd, but I guess it's possible.

If there is no damage you can see to either the transmission or the shift tower, put it back together and run it. Just keep an ear on it.
 
Marked a spot on each gear w/ white paint so I'd know when I'd rolled them all far enough to have checked all the teeth. Then did it again. Then had the Boss double check me.

The shift forks are connected not with cotter pins, but with a small brass screw and nut on one side and what appears to be a rivet, hand split and spread to keep it in on the other. Guess I'll change those before closing it back up.
 
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