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Old 09-09-2020, 02:24 PM   #1
Moesby
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Cool 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

My 1935 Ford Pickup is hard to get into Reverse and First. Reverse is real hard to get into!!
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Old 09-09-2020, 02:41 PM   #2
cmbrucew
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Adjust your clutch to 1" to 1 1/4" pedal free play.
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Old 09-09-2020, 05:18 PM   #3
35fordtn
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Hard as in it grinds gears? First and reverse are not synchronized like 2nd and 3rd, and a 1935 has straight cut low and reverse gears. Presuming you are refering to it grinding and not wanting to go in:

If it is grinding, try going into second gear then with your clutch still pressed go into first or reverse. if it stops grinding then, that usually means you just arent waiting long enough for the gears to stop spinning. If I have to go into first gear such as at a stop light etc.. I always go into second then first with the clutch still pressed. This utlizes the second gear synchronizer to stop the gears from spinning so that it will go into gear.
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Old 09-10-2020, 03:52 PM   #4
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Often the shifting problems are related to the shift tower on the transmission. Check the lower end of the shift lever for excess wear of the small ball. Wear on the shift forks is also common, as is worn blockers in these old non-sync boxes.
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Old 09-11-2020, 02:15 PM   #5
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

It doesn’t grind at all. It gets stuck and hard to get it to go to neutral or second
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Old 09-11-2020, 02:26 PM   #6
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

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If it is a clutch linkage adjustment issue, why does it only do it trying to get into 1st and reverse?? Never happens when I go to 2nd and 3rd!! Even sitting still!!???
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Old 09-11-2020, 02:27 PM   #7
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Oops. Meant to say Neutral and First in previous reply!!
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Old 09-11-2020, 04:35 PM   #8
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

If it's stiff to move the shifter with engine running while the gearbox is in neutral with clutch completely disengaged, then I'd pull the shift tower off and check the 1st/reverse shift fork shaft and fork for damage or stiffness in movement. If the shifter function is normal & the fork is straight and in good condition, then a person will have to see if the 1st/reverse gear is hard to slide on the main shaft. There could also be a problem with the reverse idler gear down in the lower part of the case but that would only affect the reverse mesh for the most part.

All of this hinges around whether the clutch is completely disengaging as was mentioned before. The clutch has to completely disengage or the input shaft and counter shaft will still be turning to some degree.

See if the transmission is full of the recommended gear lube as well. It has to have that lube in there to slow and stop the counter shaft cluster gear.

Last edited by rotorwrench; 09-11-2020 at 04:41 PM.
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Old 09-13-2020, 06:03 AM   #9
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Hard to tell what is the problem from here but if you have not rebuilt the top shift mechanism it may be time. Does the problem occur at idle, while down shifting, with engine off??? A bit more info would be nice.
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Old 09-13-2020, 09:26 PM   #10
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Happens at idle. Happens when engine is off too with clutch in!! Hard to get in reverse. Not quite as hard to get it out of reverse. Know where I can get a good 39 transmission in good shape at a fair price. ??? Whatever that is??? Thanks
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Old 09-13-2020, 09:28 PM   #11
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Nice looking 34 coupe!!!
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Old 09-14-2020, 05:20 AM   #12
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

You could have a couple problems going on there in the shifter housing. The small detent caps on the detent spring will eventually wear through the steel and start to hang up. The spring and two detent caps are available new. It’s also possible that your shifter housing has the early type forks along with the pressed steel center bracket between the two shifter rails. The bracket is designed to guide the lever into each fork....the bracket often is badly worn. By 1935 Ford had changed the design of the forks and eliminated the bracket so I wouldn’t have expected to see the earlier parts in the 35 tower, but you never know what might have been swapped into the transmission.

Lastly, we have seen a few bent levers over the years, which caused difficulties shifting the transmission. The 1932-35 levers have a slight bend in the stub end which may be deceiving. It’s when they are bent beyond the design profile that problems occur. Generally, you’d have trouble shifting into 2nd and high gears too if the lever is bent. You’d really need a known good 32-35 lever to compare the profile though.

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Old 09-14-2020, 01:22 PM   #13
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Default Re: 1935 Ford Pickup Transmission hard to get into reverse! HELP!

Thanks! Gonna take it out and send u pics of what I got!!! Maybe you can steer me in the right direction or have parts.
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