push started 36 and lost 2nd gear!

BobWatts

BobWatts

Junior Member
Cars finally running excellent after a very long sleep so I go for a short drive and stop to have a beer when the battery dies so a few guys give me a ez push and she starts instantly in 2nd but then 2nd disappears. The stick goes into the area where 2nd was but nobodies home. First and 3rd are still ok so we limp home .
I guess what I'm wondering is if anyone knows a transmission shop in Southern California where I don't have to pay them to learn how to work on these top loaders.
Thanks for any help in advance!

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Faced with your problem my first call would be to Max Navarro, (310) 774-6723. I have never had any work done by him but he came highly recommended. Second call would be to Alan Mest, (310) 532-8657 if number one doesn't work out. I hope these guys are still working on transmissions as I haven't talked to them in several years. If you are willing to ship it the undisputed transmission expert is http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/flathead_home.htm You might call and see what it takes to ship a transmission.

Charlie Stephens
 
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Bob
I'm overflowing with basic skills after a lifetime of messing around with cars , boats, motorcycles etc. but a transmission man I'm not.
However if there's something in there that may have broke and I stand a chance of fixing it without removing the trans ,rear-end etc than I will definitely take a look through the top.
I've inherited 5- 30's and 1 -40 Ford and am trying to get them back on the road but running into problems like this is making it frustrating especially since the 36 really wasn't driven much and the restoration work was body off and looks top notch.
Have you ever heard of a push start breaking something in the trans?
We push started everything from Model A's to Volkswagen's hundreds of times growing up with no issues.
I can tell you that's the last time we push start any of the cars that's for sure.
By the way thanks also Charlie for your referrals. I had been on Van Pelts web site already looking at their many offerings but didn't think I might need their expertise this soon!
Thanks ! Bob
 
Hi Everyone. Sincere condolences on the unreliability situation. Bummer.

For all readers... As someone who has done the pushing in this situation more times than necessary... Please, please, put it in high gear. Much easier to push or roll-start (lower torque) and more [edit: less] spins of the engine per foot pushed also. Had a tour participant that needed about five push starts in one day, each one done in first gear!! Hernia time! He never got the memo.

Even better, back it into a downhill pointing spot. The best.

Sorry for the venting. Hope this ****** has something easy wrong. Recently I read that if a person was gonna try their first ******, this one would be the one to do. Just one synchronizer simplifies things, but I'm still watching vs. doing the job in that area.
 
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I've read this post. If 1st and high gear are still there, it's not looking good for the trans. The sudden shock at second may have sheared it from its connection to the synchronizer. Also, rather unlikely, but the second gear teeth could have sheared away from this gear, or from the second gear teeth on the cluster gear. None of this is fixable without removing the whole transmission......Mac VP
 
Mac VP said:
I've read this post. If 1st and high gear are still there, it's not looking good for the trans. The sudden shock at second may have sheared it from its connection to the synchronizer. Also, rather unlikely, but the second gear teeth could have sheared away from this gear, or from the second gear teeth on the cluster gear. None of this is fixable without removing the whole transmission......Mac VP
Click to expand...

Well, that dude HAS DONE THE JOB.

Sucks to hear but the very best advice available from this distance. Mac even has shipping containers for this situation if I recall correctly.
 
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I have worked on two top load early Ford transmissions that did not have second gear, but still had first and third. In both cases a support ring/six slot thrust washer #7071, located directly behind second gear, had broken in several pieces, and fallen into the bottom of case, allowing second gear to move back far enough that the collar that slides on the synchronizer hub would not engage the small synchronizer teeth on second gear. This was not a difficult fix, but the transmission does need to come out. I think anyone with reasonably good mechanical skills can rebuild one of these early Ford top load or side load transmissions. Mac VP's book is very nice to read and have available during these rebuilds.

As Bob C and 35ragtop said in their posts, take the shifter top/tower off by removing six bolts, drain the oil from the case, and look things over carefully to see if you can determine what has failed. Unless it's a catastrophic type failure, you may want to attempt the repair on your own.
 
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BobWatts said:
frustrating especially since the 36 really wasn't driven much and the restoration work was body off and looks top notch
Click to expand...

Hi Everyone, Unfortunately we see this... Beautiful but drives like not so beautful.
 

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Hi guys
if it was me I would take the shift tower off and drain the oil out. You will see instantly if you have lost some teeth or if the gear has moved back. Bits of teeth in the oil or bits off washer. Have a look around with a torch, it should be obvious. Unfortunately both of these things require removal from the car to repair.
best of luck
 
If you all pushed it by hand or even another vehicle and there was no strange noise from the trans, doub't it is the gears. Sure sounds like something in the cap or shifting mech. in the top of your trans. Do you feel any snap or resistance when you shift to 2nd?
 
Get the tools to crank start it. Easy to find? I don't know. But this method has worked for me several times when I had a bad battery. Terry
 
jimTN when you push the shifter into where 2nd should be there is very little if any resistance just a tiny click that's about it.
Thanks all others for the info and comments particularly Mac VP.
Wanted to mention that when you call Max Navarro's number it gives a 'no incoming calls accepted' message for what that's worth.
And VeryTangled yup that's the way it is with the 36 but in the meantime we have a 29 open pickup that is beautiful and runs great a 30 Coupe that's almost there a 34 Cabriolet that's beautiful and almost running this 36 5 window and a 40 hot rod 5 window that runs great but needs a radiator job. So always lots to do but getting closer and not so bad considering they all sat for 5-15 years.
Bob
 
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I'm just finishing up building a "39" trans with parts from a couple of units. I found it to be educating and rewarding, but not without some hardships. Mac is the guy with what you need and what you need to know.
 
VeryTangled said:
Hi Everyone. Sincere condolences on the unreliability situation. Bummer.

For all readers... As someone who has done the pushing in this situation more times than necessary... Please, please, put it in high gear. Much easier to push or roll-start (lower torque) and more spins of the engine per foot pushed also. Had a tour participant that needed about five push starts in one day, each one done in first gear!! Hernia time! He never got the memo.

Even better, back it into a downhill pointing spot. The best.

Sorry for the venting. Hope this ****** has something easy wrong. Recently I read that if a person was gonna try their first ******, this one would be the one to do. Just one synchronizer simplifies things, but I'm still watching vs. doing the job in that area.
Click to expand...

I agree---- except for the part about more spins of the engine in high gear. It's less spins but the good news is that it's easier to spin 'em.

Back on topic- if the shifter stick just floats around I'd suspect a disconnection inside that may be easy to fix. Remove top cover and look around.
 
High gear is 1 to 1 so it's basically in direct drive. It can take more shock there. If it goes into high gear when shifted then there is likely not much wrong with the shifting mechanism.

If you haven't done a 3-speed Ford transmission yet, you won't find too many much easier to work on. Multiples on Mac's book. With that in hand, you will have no guess work about it. He tells it like it is and hasn't left any stones unturned that I'm aware of.
 
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