Dave Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I have a 57 B200 with a 3 speed transmission, I am having some troubles with 2nd gear, I shift from 1st with usually no problem, if I shift too fast it will grind, so I am slow and it's ok. When I need to go from 3rd to 2nd about half the time I can't get it into gear or it grinds, I've tried double clutching not much better. Any ideas on where to start? Thanks Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffy49 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Column shift I'd guess? If so, clean lube and adjust your linkages. Just one of the many reasons my late 230 transplant into my 49 is sticking with the top load early style 3 speed. I literally gave away my column shift 3 speed that came with the donor engine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Could be worn second gear synchros. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 It is a column shift, will work on the cleaning and adjusting. I also have a 3 speed floor shift from a 36 Plymouth four door car, also has a flathead six, will that gearbox work in the truck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Don Coatney Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 What is your procedure for double clutching? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 What is your procedure for double clutching? And at what speed are you trying to shift? Seems like modern cars are best shifted at higher RPMs than the old L-6 engines with low end torque. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffy49 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 It is a column shift, will work on the cleaning and adjusting. I also have a 3 speed floor shift from a 36 Plymouth four door car, also has a flathead six, will that gearbox work in the truck? Measure it, but be ready to change the output yoke. Your truck should have normal u-joints, my 49 and earlier tend to have ball and trunnion type that are hard to get you hands on in a hurry. And were available in at least 2 sizes, even with measurements, the parts house invariably sends the wrong one... When I upgrade to a modern axle, I'll have to upgrade the output yoke on the transmission too, or switch trans/rear at the same time from the same donor. You guys with "late models" have it a bit easier than those of us with "fossils"... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
austinsailor Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Your synchronizer cluster is worn out. Replace it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 It's the syncronizer as stated above. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Will a 3 speed from a '50 fit his '57? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Scruffy49 Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 (edited) Depends. All he can do do for a trans swap is measure and see. The case bolts to the bellhousing should be pretty close if not exactly the same spacing. And a 50should be the exact same unit as the 57. If I was going through the headache of old column shift for old column shift, I'd swap in a 4 speed, stronger trans, better clutch, gets rid of the column shift in favor of a fewer external moving parts top loader... Clean floorboard a la column shift manual or auto, push button or dash shift auto is really nice. No external linkages to bind, bend or get torn off to me is worth sacrificing a smooth floor. And when the synchros, if so equipped, fail in a top loader, it is a lot easier to learn the feel of double clutching or clutchless gear changes. Too many years driving tractor trailers, I can double clutch just fine or shift just fine if the trans doesn't have synchros. With synchros drives me bug house, you have to use the clutch. Edited March 31, 2013 by Scruffy49 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B1B Keven Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 Oh, I agree. Much better to swap in a '52 or newer 4 speed. But, if he wants to stay stock, there's a 3 speed in the '50 I bought in CA. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dave Posted March 31, 2013 Author Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I learned double clutch on old fire trucks, 1960's, but haven't done it for at least thirty years. What I remember is: depress clutch, pull shift lever out of gear into neutral, let clutch pedal up then depress again and shift into the new gear. Am I missing anything? I always shift fairly early from 1st to 2nd before going into 3rd, slow speed, I'll have to pay more attention to the speed, maybe 30 or less as I put into 3rd. I really baby the truck, I don't think my methods are at fault here, more likely the synchronizers are bad as some have indicated here. Does anyone know if a 3 sp gear box from a 1936 Dodge sedan might fit this truck? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TodFitch Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 I learned double clutch on old fire trucks, 1960's, but haven't done it for at least thirty years. What I remember is: depress clutch, pull shift lever out of gear into neutral, let clutch pedal up then depress again and shift into the new gear. Am I missing anything? I always shift fairly early from 1st to 2nd before going into 3rd, slow speed, I'll have to pay more attention to the speed, maybe 30 or less as I put into 3rd. I really baby the truck, I don't think my methods are at fault here, more likely the synchronizers are bad as some have indicated here. Does anyone know if a 3 sp gear box from a 1936 Dodge sedan might fit this truck? Your method sounds reasonable for upshifts. Need to tap the gas pedal when in neutral if you are down shifting. Whole point is to get the gear teeth that you are going to be meshing together to be spinning at the same speed. My non-synchro '33 likes to be in 3rd by 20 MPH or so, so it takes some fancy footwork to shift smoothly if you do it at a higher speed. Given that your truck came with synchronizers that are supposed to deal with the issue of grinding gears, I will admit that the posters who say the synchros are shot are probably on the mark. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Solution Scruffy49 Posted March 31, 2013 Solution Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 You'd need a trans access cover plate from a 4 speed truck or have to hole your stock floor for the shifter. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dodgeb4ya Posted March 31, 2013 Report Share Posted March 31, 2013 IMO the 48-53 3 speeds were a very weak transmission. I had a 1952 3speed FD truck trans that ground going into 2 nd at 72,000 miles. The 3 speeds are somewhat whiney in 1st and 2nd too. Not my cup of tea. The 4 speeds are trouble free. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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