2nd and 3rd gear

[Sal M.]

I have a 47 Dodge that I am trying to get going. It has been parked for some time after putting in a new tank and fuel pump it starts up and I drove it for the first time and it did not go into 2nd and 3 rd gear. Everything is all original it appears but does not go into gear. I took it to a shop and they said it was not me linkage and said it is probaly inside the Trany and wantd to pull it. Any help or suggestions would be grealy appreciated. TIA

[keithb7]

Why type of transmission do you have? Manual dry clutch 3 speed? Fluid drive? 

[kencombs]

Is this the a standard 3sp w/clutch, no fluid drive?   If so, my first guess is the linkage.  These selector shifts are a mystery to one not versed in the era.

 

But a little more description of the problem may clear it up.  Does the lever move freely toward and away from the steering wheel?  If so watch the levers under the hood while someone else trys to shift it,  One lever should move when pulling toward the wheel the other will move when shifting into gears.  

 

A second opinion from an old timer that can see it first hand would be great.

[MarcDeSoto]

All 41-48 Dodge cars had fluid drive with 3 speed manual trans.  Watch this video for more help.

 

 https://mymopar.com/mtsc-1949-volume-2-7-troubleshooting-in-the-transmission/

[Dodgeb4ya]

Motor mounts probably rotten..

Motor shifted....

Needs shifter rod adjustment as per what "Mr Tech" says...

As already noted above by MarcDesoto.

[Dan Hiebert]

He has a '47 Dodge.  Assuming it's original, it has the three-speed manual transmission behind a fluid drive unit.  Without more info...First blush is that he may have a simple misunderstanding or misinformation on what he has.  Perhaps he's been told it is an "automatic" transmission because he doesn't have to shift once he gets going.  We need a better description of the problem.   

[Sal M.]

I do have a fluid drive and I seen that I have to shift trough the gears before I can drive without shifting. When it is in first gear it doesn't go fast it revs up as I need to shift. But it will not go into 2nd or 3rd. The mechanic at the shop said the linkage is fine that it is in the transmission.

 

 

[joecoozie]

If the car is not moving will it go into 2nd and/or 3rd gear(s)?

If the car is not running (engine off) will it go into 2nd and/or 3rd gear(s)?

Is there any grinding, etc when trying to shift into 2nd/3rd gear?

Your last description almost sounds like the clutch is slipping or the Fluid Drive is low on oil???

[1949 Wraith]

Can you start the car in second and shift to third?

[Sal M.]

So it does not go into gear when it is parked and off. 

[RobertKB]

I’m guessing linkage. Most transmissions shops today don’t have a clue about these old trannies, fluid drive, and three on the tree shifting. If possible go to a garage with an older mechanic who has some knowledge of the older set-ups. Otherwise, you might be getting ripped off. 

[Sniper]

10 hours ago, RobertKB said:

I’m guessing linkage. Most transmissions shops today don’t have a clue about these old trannies, fluid drive, and three on the tree shifting. If possible go to a garage with an older mechanic who has some knowledge of the older set-ups. Otherwise, you might be getting ripped off. 

 

I'm 56. my Dad was 8 when my 51 was made.  Not too sure there are many older mechanics around that have messed with this stuff when they were newish.

[rallyace]

I agree with checking the motor mounts. Also make sure the nuts holding the shift arms on the transmission are tight and there is not a lot of slop in the joint where the linkages attach to the shift arms. Too much slop would make it look like the arms are working properly but will not allow enough movement to properly shift gears.  I found out the hard way that the shift arms (formed steel parts that attach to the transmission) have different diameter holes where the linkages attach. An arm with a large diameter hole used with a small diameter linkage will cause the problem I mentioned above.

[Sam Buchanan]

11 hours ago, RobertKB said:

I’m guessing linkage. Most transmissions shops today don’t have a clue about these old trannies, fluid drive, and three on the tree shifting. If possible go to a garage with an older mechanic who has some knowledge of the older set-ups. Otherwise, you might be getting ripped off. 

 

Yep, those 105 year-old mechanics are a valuable resource if you can find one.....    ?

[Adam H P15 D30]

Get a manual, these transmissions are different than every other 3 speed on the planet.

Learn where the shift arms are positioned for 2nd and 3rd gear.

Raise the car and support with jack stands.

Remove shift linkage, start engine, crawl under and shift the transmission by the shift arms on the case.

Does it shift to 2nd and 3rd?

[RobertKB]

1 hour ago, Sniper said:

 

I'm 56. my Dad was 8 when my 51 was made.  Not too sure there are many older mechanics around that have messed with this stuff when they were newish.

My mechanic, 60, loves working on the old cars. I always use him when I run into something I can’t do. He runs a modern shop and also works on newer cars and actually quite a few exotics. He apprenticed when there were lots of these old heaps still on the road. I agree no mechanics around working on them when new. 

[kencombs]

1 hour ago, Sam Buchanan said:

 

Yep, those 105 year-old mechanics are a valuable resource if you can find one.....    ?

Ya don't have to be that old!  I'm 78 and worked on a lot of the 50s stuff in my late teens/early 20s.  Having a Dad that owns a salvage/shop helps with the experiences.

[Sam Buchanan]

20 minutes ago, kencombs said:

Ya don't have to be that old!  I'm 78 and worked on a lot of the 50s stuff in my late teens/early 20s.  Having a Dad that owns a salvage/shop helps with the experiences.

 

Fortunately all that is needed to figure out how our old cars work is some decent mechanical skill and the willingness to study the manuals. But many current mecha.....er......technicians are flummoxed if they can't find a diagnostic port.....  ?

[kencombs]

1 hour ago, Sam Buchanan said:

 

Fortunately all that is needed to figure out how our old cars work is some decent mechanical skill and the willingness to study the manuals. But many current mecha.....er......technicians are flummoxed if they can't find a diagnostic port.....  ?

You're right about that.  The Motors manuals printed in the 50s/60s are just a must have item.  Specific factory manuals are good for one vehicle but the Motors provides a broader range of info,IMO

[keithb7]

This 50 year old hobbyist mechanic started working on these old Mopars 5 years ago.  Been a great time! I enjoy every minute. I’ve turned many a page to try and learn. I must have read the section on the M-5 tranny 3-4 times before it sorta all sunk in.  Quite the system. 
 

There’s extremely few flathead Mopars seen out on the roads around here. Regionally we might be able to build a club of 15 members. Doubt it though. 

So I have become my own isolated Moapr specialist. Lol. 52 weekends a year I’m usually wrenching in solitude.  Not complaining, I love the downtime. Especially when there’s no cussing required. 
 

I’d enjoy helping out another Mopar owner around here. Yet I am having little luck finding anyone. So I do it on You Tube. 
The dusty, dead ‘37 Desoto coupe that I found. The weather turned and caught up to me.  Hopefully next spring I can dig that one out.  The owner is 80+ I figure.  

[Sal M.]

So I disconnected the rear linkage on my transmission and it shifted to all 4 gears on the column. It has 2 linkages on the tranny the one in front moves manuely and the rear lever does not move it's stiff. I'm assuming that is for the 2nd and 3rd gear.

 

[FarmerJon]

Have you drained and inspected the oil from the transmission?

If it is half rusty water, you may have a clue.

[Sal M.]

So I disconnected the linkage. My questinon is are both of these supposed to move. This is just a picture of a Transmission like mine. The one near the spline moves but the one in the rear does not move. Reverse and 1st move the front one and when hooked up and the rear does not move only when linkage is disconnected from the rear one it shifts on the column into all gears.

 

[Young Ed]

The one only moves a little to move between r and 1 and then 2-3.