Help flathead start up!

Men

Got rebuilt flathead and rebuilt trans ( 3 speed) back in. Took plugs out and turned engine over but locked in gear.

Can't seem to select a gear / neutral on shifter but clutch pedal seems ok. Even with clutch depressed its locked in gear.

I am going to take cover off the tranny and move the forks but anyone else had this ?

Thanks for looking.

 

Make sure the forks are going into the slots in the syncro rings as you drop the cover on.

If it still locks up, maybe there is a clearance problem instead. Did you build the trans? Vanpelt's book is a HUGE help during rebuilding.

 

Thanks good advice, I did the engine but not the trans.

Will try as you say, thanks

 

No offense, but you did turn it over after i8nstalling each rod, didn't you?

 

overdrive?

 

Yip turned it over each rod, got tighter but turned over ok at the dog on the crank pulley using a wrench.

90lb torque to main bearings made the crank tight but still turned.

No overdrive just a 3 speed.

 

I had that happen but it was the shifter top hanging up because someone took the detent balls and springs out! Buyer beware.

Check those if you haven't already.

 

Taking off the trans cover for a look is a good idea. If the 1st/reverse selector was in a gear at the same time as the 2nd/3rd was in a gear the whole thing would be locked up.

 

As said, get the trans into neutral. This is really two steps. Remove the shifter top (toploader right?) and shift the lever into neutral. Should easily feel it swing left & right in the neutral gate. If its stuck or won't slide across neutral, remove the detent plugs to relieve the spring pressure on the detents and figure out what's going on. I am assuming its a '39 type double detent top.

Next put the gears into their neutral positions. Start with the 2nd/ high synchro sleeve. It should sit evenly between the input shaft gear and second gear. In this position, you can see the synchro teeth on both sides of the synchro sleeve. If not in this position, push or tap it into place. If it won't move, you'll have to tear the trans apart and make it right.

The other gear is the 1st/reverse sliding gear. Again, it should be positioned midway along the splines....halfway between the backside of 2nd gear and the rear of the case.

With the gears in neutral, and the shifter forks in neutral, the shifter top housing should drop down easily into place and the 6 bolt holes exactly lined up with the bolt holes in the case. If they aren't lined up, there may be other problems (ie: wrong 2/3 fork).

Let us know what you find with the trans.

 

Great advice guys thanks.

Will be back from vacation in CA weeks time and that's first thing on the list.

Will post up what happens.

 

You state that its still locked up with the clutch depressed??? problem will not be in tranny if thats the case..Look elsewhere..

 

Yes that's part 2 after I can select gears!

 

Easy enough to get it in 2 gears at once,...with shifter or side cover removed. Just a matter of lining them back up, with everything in neutral, as said above.

Let us know how it works out, Happy Roddin'

4TTRUK

 

Thanks and Will do itchin to get the rebuilt flatty fired up

 

Just had a thought, the flywheel has been lightened so might be clutch lever needs adjusted too, I have wound it out so once I get shifter to select gears I will adjust the clutch rod.

 

Transmission now fixed forks needed a hit plus shift the gears on the shaft to align and all ok.

Thanks for the advice.

 

The 1st gear can be put on backwards, when you have the gears in neural see if you can move to car. Did all parts work before your rebuild.

 

Thanks seems like the box got messed up in transit from the shop that rebuilt it, all ok now