Difficulty moving shift lever

[rivcokid]

My 31 Roadster seems to be getting harder to shift. The gears mesh just fine - it seems like it take more effort to physically move the gear shift lever between gears, no matter which gears. There don't seem to be any other issues with it. Has anyone else had this occur? TIA

[Brentwood Bob]

Here is a series on rebuilding the shift tower I recently completed. You might have some wear in the tower. Do not run the engine with the shift tower off the transmission.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BCIpZuxoLpQ

[rivcokid]

Thanks Bob!

[Will N]

How's the oil level in the tranny, and what condition is it in?

[rivcokid]

Practically new - and full.

[Ernie Vitucci]

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Good Morning...What oil do you have in the transmission? In cold weather, the 600wt can be hard to shift...Ernie in Arizona

[rivcokid]

Ahhh. That could be it. I've only taken it out recently on cold (for Southern California) mornings. But yes, it's the 600w oil. I'll leave it for a bit and see if the issue gets better now that we're going to be warming up. Thanks!

[LeonardS]

If it’s a thick oil issue, it should get better as you drive further. Take it out for a 20 mile drive and see if it shifts easier after it gets warmed up.

[BRENT in 10-uh-C]

Originally Posted by rivcokid

Ahhh. That could be it. I've only taken it out recently on cold (for Southern California) mornings. But yes, it's the 600w oil. I'll leave it for a bit and see if the issue gets better now that we're going to be warming up. Thanks!

Yeah, define cold!! Cold that hampers shifting is generally thought of (in my mind) when the lube is in the 30° range and under. Surely SoCal has not been that cold, has it??

[rivcokid]

**UPDATE** - Well, the fordbarn comes through again. Took the roadster out today when it is 65 - 70 degrees and it shifts just fine. Before when I noticed the issue, it was 45 - 50 degrees in the morning. It has since warmed up a bit.

Thanks much!

@Brent in 10-uh-C - Well, no it hasn't been THAT cold but we don't "winterize" cars here, so it may be a function of that. Thanks!

[Brentwood Bob]

Simple fix, this time.

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by BRENT in 10-uh-C

Yeah, define cold!! Cold that hampers shifting is generally thought of (in my mind) when the lube is in the 30° range and under. Surely SoCal has not been that cold, has it??

Originally Posted by rivcokid

**UPDATE** - Well, the fordbarn comes through again. Took the roadster out today when it is 65 - 70 degrees and it shifts just fine. Before when I noticed the issue, it was 45 - 50 degrees in the morning. It has since warmed up a bit.

Thanks much!

@Brent in 10-uh-C - Well, no it hasn't been THAT cold but we don't "winterize" cars here, so it may be a function of that. Thanks!

You're right, it doesn't get THAT cold in SoCal but it gets cold enough here at the beach to have ice on the roofs in the morning and freeze your garden hose overnight.

I have experienced stiff shifting in both the trans and Mitchell early in the morning until things get warmed up. One of the reasons I run 10W-40 oil in the engine also.

[Conaway2]

Originally Posted by Brentwood Bob

Here is a series on rebuilding the shift tower I recently completed. You might have some wear in the tower. Do not run the engine with the shift tower off the transmission.
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BCIpZuxoLpQ

I just watched the video and found it very helpful. Have you made part 2 ?

What do you do if the ball at the bottom of the shift lever is worn badly - can it be repaired, or does it have to be replaced ?

Many thanks - Jim

[Brentwood Bob]

The ball can be built up with weld and then shaped with a file. The shift lever would need to be pulled to do this.

[nkaminar]

Mitchell, who modify Model A transmissions for synchro for 2nd and 3rd and make an overdrive, recommend the multi-grade oil 85W-140 in their equipment. This modern oil will extend the life of your transmission and make shifting in cold temperatures easier. It acts like thinner oil in colder temperatures and thicker oil in warmer temperatures. The viscosity is like the old 600W in warmer temperatures.

Ford recommended adding some kerosene in the transmission in cold weather. Exact words from Ford on page 375 of the Service Bulletins is "M-533 lubricant used in the transmission, differential and dual high should be thinned with 10% kerosene for cold weather operation." Cold weather operation is not defined but they probably meant freezing weather. The multi-grade oil will do the same thing.