Issue with a Muncie 4 Speed

I'm installing a Muncie M21 that a customer had rebuilt locally (with all new gears), and the shift arms don't seem to be right. Normally, you can easily move the shift arms by hand for 1-2 and 3-4, with a neutral in between...basically, it clicks into 3 positions. This transmission only has 2 firm positions, and is very tough to get into the neutral one. Needless to say, its impossible to adjust the Hurst shifter with it like that.
Any thoughts, other than take the trans back ? He claims that its just tight because of the new parts, but I have installed lots of rebuilt and new transmissions with no issues like this before. Thoughts?

 

I'd take it back and have him show you how it's right. Doesn't seem right to me either

 

Thats what I said. Difficult to shift I can understand...that gets better with wear. If its not mechanically right now, it never will be unless its fixed.

 

Has the trans had fluid put in it after the rebuild? If not your just tearing the **** out the internal components shifting it through the gears dry. Pull the side cover and take a look. If it's dry support the tailshaft to level the trans with the trans laying on it's side and pour some gear lube over the gears. then spin the input by hand working the fluid into the bearings and syncros. After you get the oil distributed take the 2 sliders and move them through thier 3 positions further allowing the lube to get into the moving parts. Replace the side cover after lubing the **** forks and spring loaded mechanism on the side cover and bolt it down. with the proper sized open end wrench or shift arms installed you should now be able to shift the trans through the gears.

Nothing beats running a newly rebuilt trans with the engine running (rearend on jack stands). Go through the gears and let each gear run for abour 5 minutes. NO need to rev the engine above a healthy idle while doing this. Be sure to apply the brakes when shifting into reverse or you'll experience the most god awful grinding you ever heard If the trans performs great during this exercise you're ready for the road. Just make sure the fluid level is at the side plug depth before you drive it.

Frank

 

I would take the side cover off and take a look see If I couldn't get the repair sheet on the trans. Take photos of the internals, note any fishy stuff. If it looks good move on. We have spent a lot of money taking someone's word over gut feeling and mechanical instinct.

 

One of the shifter forks is in backwards.

 

From memory they are reversible, it's the sliders that are ***ymetrical .
They could be bent, from install

Check the detents on the side cover, they never get replaced [ a burr could make shifting impossible.and you would not feel it click in properly ]

Google "Muncie Dis***embly" , I got a free PDF book download

Note: If you google "Muncie ***embly" be prepared for some religous enlightment from the folks in Indiana

 

If he didn't put complete syncro ***y's in it and just put in the br*** rings he may have the wrong ones in it. There is an early and a late style IIRC. Been a long time since I had one apart. Dennis D

 

I put lube in it as soon as it went in the car, so I wasn't trying to move the levers dry.