So we got some snow today...about 8"...I decided to get my 58 ford out and drive a bit. Wasn't being crazy, just out for a spin. As I pulled back into the drive I buried it In a snow drift. Was gently rocking it forward and backward to get out. After about the 3rd rock, heard a high pitch squeal when I let the clutch out in reverse. Went forward, no noise. Back in reverse a squeal than a pop. Now when I put it in reverse and let clutch out it dies. It's stuck in low gear. I can move the shifter (column shifted 3 speed) through all 4 positions and it feels like its clicking into each gear, but even when shifter is in neutral the trans is in low gear. Clutch is brand new with about 1500 miles on it in a month also. Any ideas? I can't just go check it out since its in my driveway buried in snow! Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
It could be linkage, could be internal. I'd start by checking the part of the linkage you can see - on the steering column, under the hood and make sure everthing is still connected. Then check the linkage where it connects to the transmission under the car.
Playing around doing something stupid always winds up costing me money. Looks as if the transmission may be stuck between two different gears.
Surprisingly I wasn't being stupid! No donuts, no sliding, just driving in fresh snow which is a great way to clean the bottom of the car. Will check it out in the morning...if its internal I am swapping an AOD in it. But I'm hoping not, i am guessing ice in the linkage or something. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
HRP, didn't I post that the transmission may be stuck between two gears? I could delete my post if you want me to.
Very common for a column shifter to malfunction. You should be able to check it under the hood and put it back in neutral. I suspect it is actually in second so when you put it in reverse, the transmission is trying to go in opposite directions. Have someone watch to see that both shift arms at the bottom of the column are moving. They should line up in neutral. The other thing that could have happened, especially in the snow is one of the rods getting knocked off the transmission.
If you are using the stock column shifter, my recollection is that there were rubber grommets where the shift linkage attaches to the column shift arms. The grommets would wear, creating enough lash to interfere with normal shifting. May not be an issue, but very easy to check Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
Not since the loud pop... The squeal is what confused me. I was thinking maybe ice up on the clutch??? Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
I'd get it in a warm garage for a couple of days and let all the ice melt out of it. You probably have it up in the clutch and in the shift linkage. My guess is that it'll be okay once it thaws out. Bob
Ok, got the snow cleared out and jacked it up today...I can move the 2/3 shift lever and can feel it click in to each gear, went to move the 1/R lever and it moves very loosely, no positive click into gears. Unhooked the levers from the column and still can't get it out of low gear. I'm guessing the squeal and pop I heard was a synchro blowing apart or a gear...gonna pull it out and swap in the AOD. Posted from the TJJ App for iPhone & iPad
No synchro on 1st/reverse. The lever fits onto a flat spot on the shifter shaft....***uming the flat locating hole in the lever isn't stripped out,I'd guess either the shiftng shaft broke or the 1st-Rev fork broke.either canbe fixed w/o pulling the whole trans....just the shift housing. We've fixed these before.
Ok, been driving it with the AOD for quite a while...it's too boring! I'm putting the three speed back. The trans is from a 63 galaxie, stock synchronized three speed. Anybody know where to get a rebuild kit? I been looking all over. I believe it is a Borg Warner t12, but not 100% sure. Thanks all!
The Jalopy Journal
