Shifting transmission

Brianfrench65

Brianfrench65

Well-known member
Driving my car more and more, I keep getting shifting difficulty. Going from 1st to 2nd, I sometimes, cannot get it to go into 2nd or 3rd. It shifts over, however will not go into either gear. Most of the time, if I get it into 2nd, it goes perfect into 3rd. Downshifting from 3rd to 2nd, goes perfect.

I did not rebuild the transmission or the tower. I was told, the shifter is an original rebuilt and replated from a reputable model A parts supplier, and not a reproduction. The forks (I was told) were perfect originals, with nice sharp corners.

It seems to be getting worse, the more I drive. It seems slightly better with the new clutch.

The fluid was changed, when I did the clutch last fall. 50% STP, 50% 600W.

Any suggestions?

Thank You;
 
Sounds like there are problems with the tower. A worn rivet at the shifting fork will cause the problem of not going into gear.
Bob
 
By "not going into gear" do you mean it grinds if you try to go into 2nd or 3rd, or that the lever just won't move into the 2nd or 3rd position?
 
Could this be related to your speedometer gear issue ...to much end play or a bad bearing as I was thinking before????
 
From my limited experience try thinking about is the clutch set to the appropriate measurements, so it will let the gears slow down? Or there is something worn in the tower, rails or the little ball at the end of the shifter maybe?

Mike
 
Mitch//pa said:
Could this be related to your speedometer gear issue ...to much end play or a bad bearing as I was thinking before????
Click to expand...

Mitch; I did get a housing "9-34", supposed original, and has been working perfectly for 241 miles so far..... I think it was poorly made "turtle" housings.

Going from 2nd to 3rd and back to 2nd is as smooth as silk. If I do a rolling stop, and take off in 2nd, and then shift to 3rd, it is perfect.

Thank You;
 
There could very well be a tower issue. The shift lever balls were square over the decades. When moving the lever while the vehicle is moving this requires slow and deliberate movements. From first into second the lever needs to be slid straight forward, then straight right and then straight forward. These can't be shifted in a straight line right from first into second like a more modern vehicle.
That said, other things such the clutch adjustment and engine idle speed need to be correct.
 
Do you move the shift lever in a strict H pattern, or do you try to slide through by moving the lever more in an X pattern?

I haven't noticed it on the floor shift Model A's, but a lot of column shift cars would lock up if the parts were worn and you tried to slide the lever through an X pattern rather than a strict H pattern.
 
Tom Wesenberg said:
Do you move the shift lever in a strict H pattern, or do you try to slide through by moving the lever more in an X pattern?

I haven't noticed it on the floor shift Model A's, but a lot of column shift cars would lock up if the parts were worn and you tried to slide the lever through an X pattern rather than a strict H pattern.
Click to expand...

Tom; I will try to be conscious of my technique. I believe I am conforming to the "H" pattern, moving slowly while I am double clutching.

During my Sunday drive I will try and pay close attention to my technique.

Thank You;
 
1930artdeco said:
From my limited experience try thinking about is the clutch set to the appropriate measurements, so it will let the gears slow down? Or there is something worn in the tower, rails or the little ball at the end of the shifter maybe?

Mike
Click to expand...

Mike; I did the clutch and pressure plate last fall, to get rid of "Horrible" chatter. As it turns out, my pressure plate was .045 out of flatness. That solved the chatter issue.

Sometimes (50% of the time) it shifts just perfect. I will have to watch my technique carefully, and see if I am the cause?? Or if there is something else??

Thank You;
 
have a 31 that the last owner had put an oil/temp gauge on dash but his hand hit the gauges while shifting into reverse or second..so Einsten bent the lever down and back with all his mite ...guess what it would not shift into second gear after that ..change the tower was the fix.
 
Have you had the tower off,maybe when you changed the clutch? Sometimes the rails will hang up a little where they slide into the holes in the bellhousing after the top has been re-installed.If that is the case you can just loosen the top cover bolts a little,and sit there and run it through the gears.You will see the top wiggle around while you are doing it.Usually though,that will be a problem trying to shift into first and third.
 
What are your shift points? wind it up in first, or just use first to bump it off the mark? I never looked at the speed but 1st to 2nd has to be no more than 5 to 7 mph...my opinion only
 
Brian,
Minerva had REALLY "crisp" shift rail detents. Coming out of or into a gear, just a push on the shifter wouldn't cut it. She was a touchy old gal, she had to have her shifter sorta' SLAPPED, with an open palm, to go out of or into a gear! You know these WOMEN, they got their ways---------------
Bill W.
 
Well..... Thank you all for very good suggestions to remedy my problems.

I will get busy and update this post, when I can.

Thank You All Very Much;
 
Brentwood Bob said:
Be careful with the big spring. It can be a real eye opener if it is not contained.

Bob
Click to expand...

Bob; I learned that lesson. The first tower I took apart, the spring flew out, and it wasn't found until moved, many years later, before I found it.

I now have a tool, which is safe and easy, however I still wear a face shield, and am on full alert.

Thank You;
 

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My pickup got so that going into second on occasion was like hitting a solid wall. New forks, shafts, etc, fixed it. Could try a good tower from another car.
 
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