The Ford Barn

adileo · 05-11-2021, 07:59 AM

Hi guys

My truck has a 3 speed top loader, probably from a 48 F1. Lately when trying to shift out of 1st gear the whole truck bucks, bangs and difficult to pull out of gear. I can start off in second with no problem and shift into third no problem.

On occasion this issue has also happened in reverse. But not as often.

Thoughts?

alanwoodieman · 05-11-2021, 11:15 AM

clutch adjustment?

1948F-1Pickup · 05-11-2021, 11:39 AM

I had to go through EVERYTHING to get mine manageable. Clutch linkage play, engine mounts, worn out pedal bushing..... etc.
Took care of about 90%. My honest opinion is the slight remaining issue when the clutch is hot is the clutch material itself is crap.

adileo · 05-11-2021, 12:30 PM

Thanks guys. Free play seems about right. Guess I’ll have take it to a pro.

Ross F-1 · 05-11-2021, 05:20 PM

I wonder if the mainshaft bearing is on its way out? i.e., things are loose back in the 1st/Rev area.

rotorwrench · 05-11-2021, 06:51 PM

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If it is the light duty 3-speed of old then the low gear is unsynchronized and slides on the main shaft only when shifted. It either goes into the reverse selection or it goes into 1st gear. If the low/reverse gear is moving around, cluster gear is moving around, or the main shaft is moving around too much, there could be a problem. The clutch definitely has to be doing its job when releasing too as was mentioned. The shift tower may also need inspection of the tip of the shift lever and the slots it fits into. Make sure there is plenty of lube in the case. That's what allows the cluster gear & main shaft to slow down when you depress the clutch control pedal.

There can also be a problem with the pilot bearing. If it doesn't allow the input shaft to move free of the flywheel with the clutch released, you will have a problem.

chap52 · 05-12-2021, 08:32 AM

What Ross F-1 said... Chap

adileo · 05-12-2021, 11:56 AM

Ok thanks guys! Plenty of GL4. It’s my daily driver and all you described is over my ability. I’ll get it to a pro.

tubman · 05-12-2021, 01:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by adileo

Ok thanks guys! Plenty of GL4. It’s my daily driver and all you described is over my ability. I’ll get it to a pro.

C'mon, if it's just that you think you lack the skill, that's probably not the problem. 25 years ago, I bought a '46'48 transmission at a local swap, a '39 case and top from Hemmings, and as many new bearings and synchronizers as I could find. I had the transmission book Speedway used to sell (there are much better ones available these days), and set to it. There is really not much to these transmissions, and in a few days on and off again work, I had a transmission ready to go. I put it behind a 276" Merc in my '36 3-window, and never had a bit of problems with it. (Don't ask me about the rear axle.)

And then you'll have a new skill in your bag of tricks. (Or maybe I was just lucky.

)

adileo · 05-12-2021, 02:22 PM

Denny

What can I say except, you da man….

Gonna be getting pretty hot down there in Florida, come on up to NJ, cool down, have a beer or two and help fix this ��

tubman · 05-12-2021, 02:34 PM

Damn, I'm already back in Minnesota, or that would be a plan!

rotorwrench · 05-12-2021, 06:33 PM

Mac VanPelt's early Ford light duty transmission book is very good. It's a good idea to expect to use a press or some other form of bearing pullers for stubborn parts but the difficult part is getting the old style snap rings off. Mac VP has a very good snap ring kit that has the correct thickness rings and they can be removed easily with snap ring pliers.

Removing and reinstalling the transmission is the hardest part.

tubman · 05-12-2021, 08:31 PM

"rotorwrench" is right on. I should emphasize that my post was not to point out any special skills or talents I have, but to emphasize that these transmissions are quite simple and can be successfully rebuilt by anyone with a minimum of skills, but the ability to to careful work. I would dare say that parts are easier to find these days than they were when I did mine.

I sure wish I had known about Van Pelt Sales when I did mine.

05-11-2021, 07:59 AM	#1
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	52 F1 tranny Hi guys My truck has a 3 speed top loader, probably from a 48 F1. Lately when trying to shift out of 1st gear the whole truck bucks, bangs and difficult to pull out of gear. I can start off in second with no problem and shift into third no problem. On occasion this issue has also happened in reverse. But not as often. Thoughts? __________________ Thanks Andy 1952 F1

05-11-2021, 11:15 AM	#2
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 3,006	Re: 52 F1 tranny clutch adjustment?

05-11-2021, 11:39 AM	#3
1948F-1Pickup Senior Member Join Date: Oct 2015 Location: Socal Posts: 845	Re: 52 F1 tranny I had to go through EVERYTHING to get mine manageable. Clutch linkage play, engine mounts, worn out pedal bushing..... etc. Took care of about 90%. My honest opinion is the slight remaining issue when the clutch is hot is the clutch material itself is crap.

05-11-2021, 12:30 PM	#4
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: 52 F1 tranny Thanks guys. Free play seems about right. Guess I’ll have take it to a pro. __________________ Thanks Andy 1952 F1

05-11-2021, 05:20 PM	#5
Ross F-1 Senior Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: NM Posts: 2,443	Re: 52 F1 tranny I wonder if the mainshaft bearing is on its way out? i.e., things are loose back in the 1st/Rev area. __________________ '52 F-1, EAB flathead

05-11-2021, 06:51 PM	#6
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,007	Re: 52 F1 tranny Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) If it is the light duty 3-speed of old then the low gear is unsynchronized and slides on the main shaft only when shifted. It either goes into the reverse selection or it goes into 1st gear. If the low/reverse gear is moving around, cluster gear is moving around, or the main shaft is moving around too much, there could be a problem. The clutch definitely has to be doing its job when releasing too as was mentioned. The shift tower may also need inspection of the tip of the shift lever and the slots it fits into. Make sure there is plenty of lube in the case. That's what allows the cluster gear & main shaft to slow down when you depress the clutch control pedal. There can also be a problem with the pilot bearing. If it doesn't allow the input shaft to move free of the flywheel with the clutch released, you will have a problem.

05-12-2021, 08:32 AM	#7
chap52 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Location: Marana Arizona Posts: 1,869	Re: 52 F1 tranny What Ross F-1 said... Chap

05-12-2021, 11:56 AM	#8
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: 52 F1 tranny Ok thanks guys! Plenty of GL4. It’s my daily driver and all you described is over my ability. I’ll get it to a pro. __________________ Thanks Andy 1952 F1

05-12-2021, 02:22 PM	#10
adileo Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: New Jersey Posts: 1,772	Re: 52 F1 tranny Denny What can I say except, you da man…. Gonna be getting pretty hot down there in Florida, come on up to NJ, cool down, have a beer or two and help fix this �� __________________ Thanks Andy 1952 F1

05-12-2021, 02:34 PM	#11
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,138	Re: 52 F1 tranny Damn, I'm already back in Minnesota, or that would be a plan!

05-12-2021, 06:33 PM	#12
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 18,007	Re: 52 F1 tranny Mac VanPelt's early Ford light duty transmission book is very good. It's a good idea to expect to use a press or some other form of bearing pullers for stubborn parts but the difficult part is getting the old style snap rings off. Mac VP has a very good snap ring kit that has the correct thickness rings and they can be removed easily with snap ring pliers. Removing and reinstalling the transmission is the hardest part.

05-12-2021, 08:31 PM	#13
tubman Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2013 Location: Minnesota, Florida Keys Posts: 12,138	Re: 52 F1 tranny "rotorwrench" is right on. I should emphasize that my post was not to point out any special skills or talents I have, but to emphasize that these transmissions are quite simple and can be successfully rebuilt by anyone with a minimum of skills, but the ability to to careful work. I would dare say that parts are easier to find these days than they were when I did mine. I sure wish I had known about Van Pelt Sales when I did mine.