Won't Shift Into 2nd or 3rd

[dalton]

I have recently started driving my Model A. At first, the transmission shifted easily into 2nd and 3rd gear. It gradually became more and more difficult to get to shift into 2nd and 3rd. Now, I can't seem to get it to shift into 2nd or 3rd gear at all. No grinding at all. Just nothing. Shifter stops and won't go past neutral slop area. It will shift into 2nd and 3rd when not running.



Any ideas?

[Brentwood Bob]

The rivets holding the shift forks, or worn detents.

[nkaminar]

Take top off of the transmission. Examine gears and see if they move easily. Then examine the shifting forks, detents, and shift lever action for possible problems there.

[dalton]

Thanks guys! I'll open this thing up and have look around.

[dalton]

Ok, so I got this thing opened up. The forks have a deep groove where they engage the reverse/low and 2nd/3rd gears. the gears seem to be smooth and round in the slot where the forks ride.



The shifter ball is square, and the low/reverse fork is badly worn where the shifter ball rides.



Shifting fork detent shafts are in good shape.


There is a lot of sludge in the tower, but the gear case is pretty clean.


I can't get the pictures to post.


Thanks for your help guys!

[Brentwood Bob]

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Good to get your feedback, we all learn from that.

[nkaminar]

Take the tower apart and clean everything. When you get the new forks, test fit them into the gears. There should be no perceptible slack. Some people have reported success at welding up the end of the shifter and grinding it round then polishing it. Consider replacing the pins that go into the detents if there is any question. Use some good quality grease when re-assembling the tower. Change the oil in the transmission. Mitchell, who make the overdrive, recommend modern 85-140 oil in their transmissions. The transmission will last longer with the modern oils.

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[dalton]

nkaminar - Thanks again.


Brentwood Bob, I see many threads where the original poster never replies and the thread just dies. I figure if someone can take the time to answer my question, the least I can do is follow through. That's how this works.


Ok, so upon further inspection after cleaning the inside of the transmission, the gears seem to have minimal wear where they engage, and have some lash between them. I'm not sure how much is expected. The 2nd/High gear hangs up a little bit depending on where it is in the lash. Seems this may be part of the problem. The tower wear is still being addressed. I found a "like new" used tower for less than the cost of new forks.

[dalton]

nkaminar - Thanks for the help.


Here are the pics.

[dalton]

Ok, so upon further inspection after cleaning the inside of the transmission, the gears seem to have minimal wear where they engage, and have some lash between them. I'm not sure how much is expected. The 2nd/High gear hangs up a little bit depending on where it is in the lash. Seems this may be part of the problem. The tower wear is still being addressed. I found a "like new" used tower for less than the cost of new forks.

[Rich A]

Dalton, if you bought that $90.00 tower off of Ebay I think its going to need a new shift lever. Looks like it's broken or cut off.

[Joop]

The shifter shaft should be round yours is square.
Install new shifter and your good to go.

[Chuck Sea/Tac]

Originally Posted by Joop

The shifter shaft should be round yours is square.
Install new shifter and your good to go.

I’ve heard of people that think a square shift ball works better. I don’t remember their reasoning.

[dalton]

Originally Posted by Rich A

Dalton, if you bought that $90.00 tower off of Ebay I think its going to need a new shift lever. Looks like it's broken or cut off.

It has been cut. I have a shifter on the way also.

[dalton]

Originally Posted by Joop

The shifter shaft should be round yours is square.
Install new shifter and your good to go.

Thank you. It's hard to see in the pics, but the part of the fork that the shifter ball rides in is very worn. Probably 110 degree instead of the 90 it is new.

[Rich A]

Good deal dalton. I almost bought that one a couple days ago. But decided to just go with all new.

[ModelA29]

Good video on the shift towers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp2HPOYzn1M

[dalton]

Originally Posted by Joop

The shifter shaft should be round yours is square.
Install new shifter and your good to go.

Thank you. It's hard to see in the pics, but the part of the fork that the shifter ball rides in is very worn. Probably 110 degree instead of the 90 it is new.

[dalton]

Originally Posted by ModelA29

Good video on the shift towers - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bp2HPOYzn1M

Good video for sure. Thank you. I had watched many but not this one.

[dalton]

Originally Posted by Rich A

Good deal dalton. I almost bought that one a couple days ago. But decided to just go with all new.

I'm hoping it will all be fine with this part. The price was good, and I'll change out the shifter.