1931 Deluxe Roadster locks in reverse gear

[ElmoJr]

My 'new' 1931 Model A Ford Deluxe Roadster (took delivery of it 12 weeks ago) appears to be in very good, restored condition except for the transmission.

Today it locked up in reverse gear for the second time. About a month ago it did the same thing. Both times it occurred while turning the car around on a slight incline, facing downward. Each time I had to shut off the engine and rock (manually push) the car back-and-forth with the help of another person. After about the 4th rocking, I could feel it 'give' during the forward part of the back-and-forth. I got back into the car and was then able to shift it out of reverse, start it, and drive away.

There has never been a problem backing it out of my driveway, which is level - only on those two slight inclines (am not sure whether the slight inclines have been a contributing factor).

I don't know whether it's related or not, but second gear has not sounded right since the first day. At certain speeds second gear is too loud, and sometimes has a sort of 'metallic' sound to it. But 2nd gear has never locked up - only in reverse.

The good news is that I've already ordered a Mitchell overdrive (26%) and synchro (15%) transmission, which should arrive in about seven more weeks.

Has anyone else ever experienced this problem with reverse gear? What could be causing it?

 

[nkaminar]

Since you have ordered a new transmission and overdrive from Mitchell, the problem with the old transmission is a moot point. You will love the new trans and overdrive. You will LOVE them! Use the gear oil recommended by Mitchell, not "600 W."

It is clear that the transmission was not rebuilt by the previous owner. I bought a Model A years ago that was "restored" but only cosmetically. The first thing I had to do was grease everything and rebuild the transmission.

The reason it gets stuck in reverse is because the shift tower needs rebuilding. The ball at the end of the shift lever and the detents are worn. Using reverse under load pushes the detents into a position where they get stuck. Second gear is noisy because the gear is worn and perhaps the shaft and bearings too.

Until the new transmission arrives and gets installed, try to use reverse only on level ground. Check the oil in the transmission. Some people will use straight STP in their transmission and that may help with the second gear noise. An old story, I don't know if it is true or not, is that years ago unscrupulous people would put sawdust in the transmission to quiet it for a sale.

 

[Big hammer]

If it's getting stuck in two gears, I wouldn't drive it until you fix it. You could do more damage that the new trans and overdrive will fix. The issue could be that the fork for the second gear slider it in the gear grove. Pull the tower and have a look! Grand son was racing his stock car holding it in gear and then the trans locked up, the damage wasn't pretty, trans case had holes, drive shaft twisted, he spun out in front of other cars. Pull the shifter tower and have a look at what's going on!

 

[rotorwrench]

Worn parts are causing it. The old transmission needs a thorough inspection in all the wear areas. It likely has more than a few worn parts. Put in the new trans and set the old one aside for later unless it takes a while to get the new one.

I've seen some of these old transmissions plumb worn beyond use. You just never know until you look at it all.

 

[old ugly]

i think i would pull it apart. send the case to Mitchell as you core. and put all the good gears on the shelf or sell them. once you drive that new syncro you will never put a stock ****** back in.