CTCarguy Posted May 10, 2011 Report Posted May 10, 2011 I finally got the 41 running but an having a problem. When I pull the shift and put in in 1st - it is 3rd. If I put it in reverse, thats 2nd. When I shift to 2nd or 3rd, no problem. I looked at the adjusting rod and tried 3 different settings, 1- no pressure on the transmission lever when in neutral, slight movement in 2/3. Here 1 and 3 were the same. 2. Loosened the rod to maximize the lever travel. Now I have 2/3 OK but the shifter won't move into 1st or reverse. (Note - in no case is the gears grinding!) 3- Adjusted per the manual - no help. This is my first time driving this car. Is the clutch supposed to be light? I have the adjusting rod for the clutch as long as it can go and it does not put pressure on the fork that would cause slippage. Engages near the top. Suggestions? FYI The fork at the bottom of the shift linkage has about 1/8 or less play. I did check the clutch before I put the engine and transmission in. This was a replacement engine/trans since the original engine burned a rod bearing. The lever on the transmission feel like it is detenting. Thanks for any help. I've got 1 week to get the car running before it goes to the AACA meet in Stowe VT. Quote
Alshere59 Posted May 10, 2011 Report Posted May 10, 2011 (edited) Your linkage still needs adjustment as you know its not there yet. If you followed the manual they tell you to adjust the gear selector rod. Are you sure you have the right one? It should be coming forward from the tranny. The one parallel to the column is for setting the shifter angle. So back to the manual. It says to take all of the slack out meaning no play in the rod to tranny levers. Then back it off 1/2 a turn tighten lock nut. That is the best I can give with what I can make of the description. It sounds like you are losening it. The basic idea is that 1st and reverse is tied together as is 2nd and 3rd for adjustment purposes. So normally you have 2/3rd or 1st/ reverse. You want the happy medium. It will get there just takes patience. A helper would be a big benefit. Just adjust a bit have them shift. Work one direction until your sure it is worse. Then go the other way. My guess is tighter on your adjustment. The clutch if you have it releasing 1 inch from the top should be good. You don't say if it is running but if it is and you have the one inch play again you should be good. Edited May 11, 2011 by Alshere59 Quote
austinsailor Posted May 11, 2011 Report Posted May 11, 2011 I had to put a stack of washers on the one that shifts to the 1-r function to get it to go far enough. I think it's the lower of the two. basically that one moves the shift selector between the 2-3 rails to the 1-r rails. when it's always going 2-3 it's not far enough to get out of the 2-3 rail, when it's locking it's catching both and needs to go farther when you pull up on the column shift arm. I changed transmissions and the washers had to go away and the adjustment point was entirely different, so mine was not all in the column shifter part. You could have someone just push the lower lever towards the front ov the car while you shift. push as far as it will go, it should go in. that will confirm the problem and give you an idea how far out of adjustment it is. Quote
CTCarguy Posted May 12, 2011 Author Report Posted May 12, 2011 We will try again tomorrow. I tried the lever in both directions. It is possible( I hope not) that the trans is bad. The first time I tried it, I could not get it in gear since the gears clashed. A quick clutch adjustment fixed that. Then the shift would not go into 1st or reverse (no clash) but 2nd & 3rd were ok. When I finally got the shifter to go down when pulled in, I got 3rd! I have another transmission but would hate to have to change it now. Quote
1941Rick Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 The shift linkage with the threaded rod adjusts the 1st rev shift....make sure you have no play in the adjustment.....you should also look at the linkage on the steering column...maybe it is wore and not moving the linkage far enough... Quote
greg g Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 There is a rubber bushing in the shift mechanism at the column. It thse get mushy or ovaled out, the adjustment feature may not be able to make up for the difference. Mitchells moparts used to feature them on e bay for not a lot of money, but since the business changed hands I haven't noticed them but it might be worth an email to them. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 Greg, Is this bushing in the hole that the shift rod goes through? I just put mine together and want to make sure I'm not missing anything. Looking at the exploded diagram in my manual it looks like everything is there. But there was a disintegrated rubber ring type of thing about the diameter of the shift rod among my steering column parts. Didn't seem to be represented in the diagram and I couldn't figure out where it might have gone. Makes me wonder. Quote
greg g Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 Yes it or they goes into one or both of the connections where the rods connect to the steering column mechanisms. I think they show up in the pic posted to answer your question about how the column locates. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 Here's the ebay seller. Pretty sure this is the same guy I bought from last fall. http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1941-1950-Plymouth-Dodge-shift-lever-grommet-New-_W0QQcmdZViewItemQQhashZitem27baca99e5QQitemZ170637564389QQptZVintageQ5fCarQ5fTruckQ5fPartsQ5fAccessories Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 Is that the part Greg is talking about? Because if it is, I have mine and it's in good shape. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 Is that the part Greg is talking about? Because if it is, I have mine and it's in good shape. Yup believe it is. Quote
Desotodav Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 I picked up one for my truck (which I would imagine are the same as the car ones) from Andy Bernbaum's for $4.50. He calls them 'T-200 Gearshift Control Rod Bushing'. I ordered a few extra ones while I was at it for future projects. Desotodav Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 OK. I thought you were talking about something much higher up, like around the shift lever. Quote
Young Ed Posted May 12, 2011 Report Posted May 12, 2011 OK. I thought you were talking about something much higher up, like around the shift lever. Joe it goes under the hood near the firewall. At least for your 49 should be the only rubber part in the shift linkage. Quote
Joe Flanagan Posted May 13, 2011 Report Posted May 13, 2011 Right. I actually have it assembled. Just kind of hanging there waiting for the transmission to show up. Quote
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