39 Ford 3-speed shifting question

I have a restored modified stock car from 1959. It has a full-race flat head with a '39 Ford floor shift transmission. My question is this: When I shift from 1st gear into 2nd gear, the transmission does not fully come out of 1st gear before it goes into 2nd gear. I must be very careful when shifting otherwise the results are a blown transmission. I have changed transmission tops with the same result. The shift handle looks okay. I have tried 2 different transmission tops with the same result. Can anyone out there tell me what is wrong? Thanks for your help.

John P.

 

Try a different shift handle. The nub that moves the gates around may be so worn and sloppy it doesn't move the first reverse rod enough before engaging the 2nd & 3rd.


Tim

 

That would be a great guess. Gas weld the ball bigger, and the slot narrower, file them down carefully, and use a new pin in the slot. When the slop is gone, they shift very well.

 

yup, you have two worn shift towers. pul them apart, inspect all the components and repair or replace the worn parts, and it will shift fine.
The other problem may be that you are using an earlier shift tower (say, a 37) and it has the wrong forks to suit your synchro sleeves. read Vanpelts site about these Boxes if you havent yet.

 

Rather than take a chance on blowing another trans, I suggest that you (or someone else if you don't want to) get the trans apart and go thru it to replace any worn or mismatched parts. It shouldnt do what you have described. Trannies in old hot rods/race cars were often a mix of whatever parts someone had on hand.....not always the correct parts either.

 

Check shims on the cluster for end play. Measure the fork groove for wear. Are the front, rear and center bearings tight?

 

are you sure you have a `39 trans? a `37 or `38 looks the same from the outside.
and most people don't know the difference, a `37 or `38 top section will bolt on a real `39 but the fork won't put the gears in the right location.
if you have a `39, take the cover off and see if the shift fork has the " 91-A" part # on it. if you have the wrong top cover it'll never be right.
get "Mac Van Pelts" book, that will tell you everything you need to know