'57 Fairlane ****** Chatter?

jchochole

jchochole

Senior Member
I am looking at a '57 Ford Fairlane with a 3-tree ******; it chatters a tad going into 1st gear but is fine for 2nd to 3rd.

The car has sat for years and needs resto- does anyone have advice for me? is this a very bad sign or just needs some fluid change and flush?

Thanks in advance,
Jim
 
A three on the tree chatter???? If the engine is running in neutral, and you step on the clutch and pull in into first right away, thats not chatter, thats grinding. Of course it grinds when you do that. If you want it to go quietly, put it in second, then first, so the synchros can slow the gears down. If what you says is chatter is when you first let the clutch out while in gear, that may be dirt or oil on the clutch disc. It may wear away and be quiet after a few miles, or it may need a clutch.
 
Thanks- it hasn't really been run in much and so I may have to take a gamble. I don't think a clutch on a '57 is all that involved or pricey? Probably an hour job at most?

**You were right, the chatter occurs when it already is in gear and you begin to accelerate. A bit of bup, bup, bup and then acceleration.

Any ideas/experience?
Jim
 
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That chatter could also be caused by all four transmission case-to-bell housing mounting bolts being loose. Chatters when letting out on clutch, but chatter stops once you have a load on it in first gear.
 
Okay, I am getting the car going- I don't have a reference for this- what types of fluids should I use to replace the:
1. motor oil? (10w30 or 30w?)
2. differential (90 gear oil?)
3. ****** lube? (90 gear oil?)

Thanks and if there is a good resource for this- please let me know.

Appreciatively,
Jim
 
I am using Pennzoil 10W-40 in summer. I switch to Shell Rotella 15T-40 when I change oil and back to Pennzoil and I keep doing that. Zinc is not filtered out of the Shell Rotella. It is good for the solid lifters.
90W gear oil for rear end and transmission. Filling the rear end can be kinda tricky if you are using a squeeze bottle. Just because it is running out of the filler hole does not mean it is full. The oil builds up in the gear mesh more quickly than it can drain down, so it is a slow process that way.
 
When all the fluids are changed and you are ready to drive the car, try this. Because the clutch hasnt been used in a long time, they sometimes get a coating of rust or oil on them. Start out in second gear a couple times to burn it clean. If that doesnt work, its time to tear it apart. An easy job on that car.
 
Hey that's great information- I really appreciate the help! If you think of anything else...please post. I'll slap some pics up when the car arrives today.

Thanks for the support!
Jim
 
loose or worn motor mounts, ****** mount, or as was said loose trany or bell housing bolts, i would start it in 3rd and slip the clutch
 
Jim, slipping the clutch just means that you let the clutch out very slow when it starts to grab (car starts to move)
 
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