In my '53 Chevy I have the three spd in the floor instead of the column. But for some reason it gets stuck in between 1 and 2 gear if the RPMs aren't freakin' perfect(seems to always do it around the fuzz also...coincidence?) I've learned to time it pretty good, but if I am not payin 100% attention I forget and it is a real pain in the ass to get back in gear. And I usually roll for about a minute til finally it goes into 2 or 3. It doesn't grind or anything, it just won't physically go in. Anyone have any ideas...
Sounds like the syncro rings are shot. They could be galled,from wear. When was your tranny last rebuilt? You could try changing the lube,and using a superslick additive. Make sure your detents are adjusted right.Have you got overtravel stops on your shifter? Possibly there is slop in the mainshaft,or the pilot bushing is shot also. Looks like you may have to rebuild it. hope this helps. glenn
Are you sure it isn't in the linkage? Did you maybe just change the linkage or is this a different tranny? When I downshift from 3-2 in my Ford the linkage gets in the way with some clutch rod on the outside. I have tried but cannot adjust it out. BUT, it shifts smooth as silk if I blip the throttle when downshifting.
It sounds like the linkage to me. My '54 Chevy column shift was horrible. Take a look at the shifter box under the hood, it sits on top of the steering column. If it goes into neutral when you physically move one or both levers into a central position, that's where your problem is. Unfortunately you can't buy new shifter pawls anymore, you might find good used ones somewhere.
Disregard what I just said, I noticed you have a floor shift, I'm an ass. It could still be your linkage though.
My ol Merc has a 3 on the tree. If I crowd the shifter two hard it won't go from 1st into 2nd. I got to looking at it and found that the shifter arms coming out of the side of the tranny were loose. I tie wrapped them together to take the slack out of the linkage and got it home OK.
You didn't specify what type of floor shifter you have installed but I would bet that it isn't adjusted properly.Most floor shifters are set up so that when the transmission is in neutral,both levers on the unit are in line and most of them have a hole(usually 1/4" in diameter so you can drop a 1/4" drill bit through)to align them.When the rod(drill bit)is installed,both trans levers should also be in neutral and if not the lock nuts on the shifter rods are loosened and the pieces adjusted until they are.(don't forget to pull out the rod when finished!LOL). The problem with most shifters is when shifting from 1st to second(on a 3-speed anyway)the 1st reverse lever moves from 1st to neutral and then the 2nd-3rd lever moves from neutral to 2nd.If a shift is attempted too rapidly and there is any looseness or misadjustment it will jam in-between gears.The best way to clear this is to stop the car,gain access to the shift rods and move them both to the neutral position.Trying to manhandle the lever only causes more damage.Hope this helps. Ray
I'm not sure who the maker of the shifter is. It was already in the car when I bought it from one of the old car shops in Sacramento about two years ago. (it was primered light grey with a white roof when I gotit, but it is all Satin Purple now) It still has the stock 235 and original tranny in it. There is a pretty good size rectangular hole in the floor where you can see the linkage. The shifter has "something 500" stamped in it. I will try some of the advice you guys gave, and see what happens...thanks
If you can see the linkage thru the floor your half way home. There are two levers on the trans. one is 1st and reverse the other is 2nd and 3rd each lever has neutral in the center. you can not shift two levers at once. sounds like the slop in the linkage is leting the 1st lever go past center (or not to center) causing it to bind the the two three lever. pull the cotter pin at the lever and screw it in or out a couple turns and put it back together oh and thats the INDY 500 shifter
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