The Ford Barn

Borninthefifties · 02-06-2021, 07:11 PM

They say that there is no such thing as a dumb question, so here goes. I've had the engine/transmission out of my 31 coupe to replace a badly cracked flywheel housing. I separated the bell housing from the flywheel housing and to remove the old flywheel housing I had to take out the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate. I put this all back together and I was attempting to adjust the clutch when I discovered I can shift between all the gears without touching the clutch pedal. It's adjusted nearly all the way out so I'm pretty sure it's not engaged. What did I do wrong?

Gary WA · 02-06-2021, 07:26 PM

did you remove the shift tower?

Borninthefifties · 02-06-2021, 07:27 PM

Aloha,
Yes I did.

Russ/40 · 02-06-2021, 07:32 PM

You may not have captured the sliding gears when putting the shift tower back in place.

Slowmotoring · 02-06-2021, 07:39 PM

Are you shifting gears with the engine running or off?

Borninthefifties · 02-06-2021, 07:56 PM

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Aloha,

Engine is off. I still have a few things to do before I feel I can crank her up.

Harpkatt · 02-07-2021, 02:04 AM

I put my shift tower on wrong the first time I had one apart. If I recall, All my forward gears were temporarily...reverse. I won't make that mistake again.

Patrick L. · 02-07-2021, 07:55 AM

With the engine off then you could possibly shift to each gear. As long as you can feel each shift then start the engine and see what happens.

nkaminar · 02-07-2021, 08:48 AM

Another option, and perhaps safer, would be to jack up one rear wheel, put the transmission in a gear, and turn the engine over with the hand crank. Mark the tire with a piece of chalk or tape to see if it moves. Another option would be to put the transmission in neutral and try turning the rear wheel. It should turn. Then put the transmission in gear and try turning the wheel. It should not turn. If you made a mistake putting the shift tower back in this would catch it before causing any damage to the transmission. Try all the gears.

You should have about 1 inch free play in the clutch before it starts to disengage.

Borninthefifties · 02-07-2021, 10:36 AM

Aloha. Since I'm not yet ready to fire her up this might be the best way to approach this. If indeed I am shifting between the gears, then what? How do I adjust the clutch with this going on?

Bob C · 02-07-2021, 11:40 AM

How much free play to you have, should be about 1".

Y-Blockhead · 02-07-2021, 12:06 PM

Hi Borninthefifties. I am not sure I understand your issues. If the engine is NOT running, you should be able to shift to all the gears (as long a the teeth are lined up0.

The clutch adjustment should not have anything to do with it when the engine is not running. Adjust clutch to 1" free play.

If it is not shifting properly (engine still not running) pull the top off and see what is wrong.

Good luck...

Borninthefifties · 02-07-2021, 12:40 PM

Aloha Y-Blockhead,
So you're saying that without depressing the clutch pedal at all I can shift between gears with the engine off?

nkaminar · 02-07-2021, 01:09 PM

If all the gears are lined up you should be able to shift to all gears without depressing the clutch. If one or two are not lined up they will not mesh. If you are concerned about whether the shift tower was placed back correctly, then test as described earlier.

Patrick L. · 02-07-2021, 01:43 PM

As said, you should be able to shift and feel the shifts.

The clutch free-play should be adjusted for 1.0-1.5"

If there is a problem just remove the transmission top and make sure the shift forks are aligned properly.

You remove the clutch inspection plate and watch the clutch operation. The release bearing should not contact the fingers with the pedal up/released.

Y-Blockhead · 02-07-2021, 02:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Borninthefifties

Aloha Y-Blockhead,
So you're saying that without depressing the clutch pedal at all I can shift between gears with the engine off?

To confirm, yes. If the engine is NOT running, you should be able to shift to all the gears (as long a the teeth are lined up).

I'm in the habit of shifting mine before I start the engine to ensure it is in neutral before I hit the starter. I do the same with my Mitchell O/D. I don't even touch the clutch until after the engine is running and I am ready to put the trans in gear.

My starting ritual; Everything in neutral, turn on main electrical, turn on gas, spin the engine to move some oil around, let it sit a minute, spin engine, turn on ignition. [/QUOTE]

Borninthefifties · 02-07-2021, 03:17 PM

Aloha and thank you all very much. I will proceed as directed. Hope to get Henrietta or the highway before too long.

Borninthefifties · 02-07-2021, 03:18 PM

on the highway

02-06-2021, 07:11 PM	#1
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Shifter question They say that there is no such thing as a dumb question, so here goes. I've had the engine/transmission out of my 31 coupe to replace a badly cracked flywheel housing. I separated the bell housing from the flywheel housing and to remove the old flywheel housing I had to take out the flywheel, clutch and pressure plate. I put this all back together and I was attempting to adjust the clutch when I discovered I can shift between all the gears without touching the clutch pedal. It's adjusted nearly all the way out so I'm pretty sure it's not engaged. What did I do wrong?

02-06-2021, 07:26 PM	#2
Gary WA Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Clinton,WA/Whidbey Island Posts: 4,104	Re: Shifter question did you remove the shift tower? __________________ www.whidbeymodelaclub.com

02-06-2021, 07:27 PM	#3
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Shifter question Aloha, Yes I did.

02-06-2021, 07:32 PM	#4
Russ/40 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Santee, California Posts: 3,505	Re: Shifter question You may not have captured the sliding gears when putting the shift tower back in place.

02-06-2021, 07:39 PM	#5
Slowmotoring Member Join Date: Nov 2020 Location: Upstate NY Posts: 94	Re: Shifter question Are you shifting gears with the engine running or off?

02-06-2021, 07:56 PM	#6
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Shifter question Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Aloha, Engine is off. I still have a few things to do before I feel I can crank her up.

02-07-2021, 02:04 AM	#7
Harpkatt Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Location: Long Island Posts: 172	Re: Shifter question I put my shift tower on wrong the first time I had one apart. If I recall, All my forward gears were temporarily...reverse. I won't make that mistake again.

02-07-2021, 07:55 AM	#8
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Shifter question With the engine off then you could possibly shift to each gear. As long as you can feel each shift then start the engine and see what happens.

02-07-2021, 08:48 AM	#9
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Shifter question Another option, and perhaps safer, would be to jack up one rear wheel, put the transmission in a gear, and turn the engine over with the hand crank. Mark the tire with a piece of chalk or tape to see if it moves. Another option would be to put the transmission in neutral and try turning the rear wheel. It should turn. Then put the transmission in gear and try turning the wheel. It should not turn. If you made a mistake putting the shift tower back in this would catch it before causing any damage to the transmission. Try all the gears. You should have about 1 inch free play in the clutch before it starts to disengage. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-07-2021, 10:36 AM	#10
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Shifter question Aloha. Since I'm not yet ready to fire her up this might be the best way to approach this. If indeed I am shifting between the gears, then what? How do I adjust the clutch with this going on?

02-07-2021, 11:40 AM	#11
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,751	Re: Shifter question How much free play to you have, should be about 1".

02-07-2021, 12:06 PM	#12
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,849	Re: Shifter question Hi Borninthefifties. I am not sure I understand your issues. If the engine is NOT running, you should be able to shift to all the gears (as long a the teeth are lined up0. The clutch adjustment should not have anything to do with it when the engine is not running. Adjust clutch to 1" free play. If it is not shifting properly (engine still not running) pull the top off and see what is wrong. Good luck... Last edited by Y-Blockhead; 02-07-2021 at 02:46 PM.

02-07-2021, 12:40 PM	#13
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Shifter question Aloha Y-Blockhead, So you're saying that without depressing the clutch pedal at all I can shift between gears with the engine off?

02-07-2021, 01:09 PM	#14
nkaminar Senior Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Western North Carolina Posts: 3,897	Re: Shifter question If all the gears are lined up you should be able to shift to all gears without depressing the clutch. If one or two are not lined up they will not mesh. If you are concerned about whether the shift tower was placed back correctly, then test as described earlier. __________________ A is for apple, green as the sky. Step on the gas, for tomorrow I die. Forget the brakes, they really don't work. The clutch always sticks, and starts with a jerk. My car grows red hair, and flies through the air. Driving's a blast, a blast from the past.

02-07-2021, 01:43 PM	#15
Patrick L. Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Largo Florida Posts: 7,225	Re: Shifter question As said, you should be able to shift and feel the shifts. The clutch free-play should be adjusted for 1.0-1.5" If there is a problem just remove the transmission top and make sure the shift forks are aligned properly. You remove the clutch inspection plate and watch the clutch operation. The release bearing should not contact the fingers with the pedal up/released.

02-07-2021, 03:17 PM	#17
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Shifter question Aloha and thank you all very much. I will proceed as directed. Hope to get Henrietta or the highway before too long.

02-07-2021, 03:18 PM	#18
Borninthefifties Member Join Date: Feb 2015 Location: Big Island of Hawai`i Posts: 43	Re: Shifter question on the highway