Short description, 36 Ford coupe, 302 Ford to a 3 speed 1963 Comet trans, to a Jeep Cherokee rear end. At about 15 MPH shifted from 1st to second and the whole drive line locked up. Skidded to a halt. Twisted the pinion nut completely off stripping the threads. Tires will still turn in opposit directions so the spiders are OK but wheels will not turn forward together. Transmission is now stuck in 2nd. It got towed last night so I have not looked at it yet. Felt like I got into 2nd gear without it comming out of 1st?? That should not be possible? All this on the way back from the paint shop. ARGGGGGGGGGGGGG! Any ideas how this could happen?
Been there done that. That is kinda common on those trans. Has to do with the stops not being adjusted correctly on the shifter. I used to be good for a couple trans changes every summer.
Those transmissions were not overbuilt. In the '70s I had trouble finding one in a junk yard because so many were being replaced. If the trans is toast you might want to consider upgrading to something better.
Could you go with a 1970's ford truck 3-speed? I know some of 'em came from the factory with a small block and 3 on the tree. I'm not sure if you're shifting on the tree or the floor, but you could make it work either way. Good luck.
T5 and some deeper rearend gears sounds like a nice upgrade If not heres a toploader, bell, linkage, pedals in Port Charlotte, $500 http://fortmyers.craigslist.org/chl/pts/2186984363.html
It sounds to me like its a good time to step up to a five speed. Ater you drive one a few hundred miles you will wonder how you got along without it.
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