Here's a little history on this thing....I've got Rocky's old '41 Poncho. Car runs great, had it on a 90 mile run today. Problem is sometimes when going into 1st or third. it won't go into gear. I've got a grinding, vibrating gearshit on the tree. It even appeared to pop out of gear with a loud BANG and split second hesitation. Now the car, when it doesn't miss a gear so to speak is cruising along at any speed and particularly at 55mph or so, it could cruise all day. My hands are shot, so I've taken it to a guy I know that works on Mopars, builds and restores them from the ground up and he doesn't have a clue. He just tells me to convert over to an automatic on the floor and forget about it. So I need your help guys. Synchros worn, bushings, somethin in the column, tranny, go for that automatic??(hate to do it.) The car is great, but when the light turns, I can sit through an entire light trying to get it into first , second is fine, but third can be a pain in the ass.It's jumped out of gear twice, felt like I hit something on the road, large enough to almost stop the car and send my teeth flying!! Because I need to rely on someone else to do the work for me, I need a step by step if you've got some ideas. Like I said, when it hits the gears without missing or grinding, there's no slippage, pulls fine. Thanx. This things driving me nuts.
probably not synchronized in low gear, so you need to make sure the car is stopped and the clutch pedal in long enough for the trans to come to a stop before you try to put it in first. Also if the clutch is not releasing because something's broke our out of adjustment, that will cause it to always grind when you try to put it in first. third gear the synchro teeth are probably worn out, that will cause grinding and jumping out of gear...although you should check the linkage carefully first to make sure it's workign properly.
Quick test, Shift into second, then without releasing the clutch shift to 1st. If it shifts in without balking, it indicates that you iput shaft is still turning when at rest, Sice second is synchro, the synchros will stop the input shaft making the shift to first easier. Your clutch may be draging a bit, causing the iput shaft to want to keep truning in neural. If this is the case try adjusting you pedal to throwout fork to lenghtne it a bit. While you are down ther check the condition of the bushings where the shift rods attach to the colume hardware. If they are shot, you may not be fully engaging the gears due to lack of travel of the rods due to the slop.
Another quick test. Drive normally in second and try to pull the shifter out of gear into neutral at the same time you lift your foot slightly off the gas pedal. If it pops right out time to check your syncros. And the others are right first gear is not syncroed you need to be at a stop or double clutch at low speed to get it into first.
The first thing that I'd check is the clutch toe play. If the clutch starts to engage too low near the floor board, you might not have the clutch released fully every time resulting in the grinding. Your coordination can be thrown for a loop also meaning the clutch could be engaging before you have it completely in gear resulting in it popping out of gear. You can test it with your hands. The pedal should go down about an inch before meeting resistance. If you have a lot more than that, it needs adjusting and the clutch may not be releasing all the way. It's usually adjusted by adjusting the length of the push rod but it could be different on a 41 Poncho.
Exactly what squirrel and plym 46 said, the only thing I'll add is maybe the idle is too high and isn't allowing the motor to slow down enough. I'd check the clutch adjustment first.
If starting from a dead stop try shifting into second, then first. Seems to work on chevys. and down shifting into first can only be done from a near dead stop, unless you rev the engine JUST right.
The popping out of third gear, and the not wanting to go into third gear, could be a worn pilot bushing.
I believe that uses a "selector" style collum shifter with a cable that controls a small lever on the trans.That lever controls inside the trans which shift rail the main lever works. They need careful adjustment to work well and extra play anywhere will cause you problems. As said pilot bearing or front input bearing can also be a cause. Start by adjusting the clutch and then the shift linkage.
Thanx guys, I'll check it all out. It's strange causemost of the time it's good and then can't get her into first, even going back to neutral moving it through the gears. Third either goes in smooth, or feels like it's in and then the gearshift is vibrating and grinding like hell. I'll give it a shot.
I have the same issues. (61 Ford Falcon)Mine gets stuck in 1st gear, the shifter will still move but it does not have full range in motion, I just have to pop the hood, give the gears a good jiggle and that usually works, a little embarresing sometimes, but works!
It sounds like your problem is worn or linkage that just to be adjusted. Maybe you can replace some bushings get the linkage back to factory specs.
Some of the old transmissions don't like to be shifted too fast. Slow your shifting down and maybe it will work better.
can't really double clutch it, because neutral is all over the place-sometimes at 3 o"clock, sometimes 4 o'clock. some days no problems. other day warmed her up, took her out went about 3 miles stopped at light. light changed, spent most of the light trying to get into first then drove off I'm in second and BANG, car hesitates for split second like i ran into a brick wall. put the clutch in moved it down to 3rd up to second and it was fine. missing the shift or not going into gear isn't consistent. 1st and third are the problem. problem is my hands don't work that well any more(nerve damage) so i'm gonna have to have someone look it over. i don't want them fishing though. oh well, we'll see what happens and THANX AGAIN for your help.
Like JohnEvans mentioned, your transmission is probably one of the selector types; it is different. There could be several things wrong with it, adjustment, shifting forks or just plain worn out. I believe that there were several other GM cars that used a similar "selector" type transmission; Pontiac used it until the mid fifties. Find someone that knows about that type of transmission. I used to have a 47 Pontiac, but never had a trouble with it.
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