The Ford Barn

Hotrodvideo · 05-28-2013, 10:32 AM

I have a rebuilt '39 trans and I've been having this problem where the end of the shift lever gets caught between the forks.

When this happens, you can't shift at all and I have to take out the shift lever and stick a long screw driver down there and line up the the forks so that it's in neutral so that I can put the lever back and drive it.

Anybody have this problem?

I know it's something in the shifter top because I've had it on 2 different transmissions and it did the same thing.

Andy · 05-28-2013, 10:47 AM

I had mine hang up as you describe. I found that I had a 68- top with the 91A big fork in it. The 68- (1937) top does not have the interlock pin that goes between the shift rails to prevent hang ups. I have replaced the top with a 81A- top with the interlock. When mine hung up it broke my Lincoln cluster and 1-R sliding gear. Look for the number at the rear top of the shifter.

Tim Ayers · 05-28-2013, 11:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Hotrodvideo

I have a rebuilt '39 trans and I've been having this problem where the end of the shift lever gets caught between the forks.

When this happens, you can't shift at all and I have to take out the shift lever and stick a long screw driver down there and line up the the forks so that it's in neutral so that I can put the lever back and drive it.

Anybody have this problem?

I know it's something in the shifter top because I've had it on 2 different transmissions and it did the same thing.

What Andy said. You have the wrong top on the trans. Now that I've re-read my post, I should have asked Mac VP's question first.

svm99 · 05-28-2013, 01:18 PM

Also, check the top where the 1/4" pin aligns the shifter. The pin get worn, the hole elongates and the shift handle slot also wears. Note of caution: ALWAYS REMOVE THE PIN BEFORE PULLING THE SHIFT HANDLE FROM THE TRANS.

If there is wear you can try a new 1/4" pin or if the wear is excessive you go to an oversize pin (.257" diameter).

Paul J.

Mac VP · 05-28-2013, 08:10 PM

Can you tell us which shift housing you have....40-7222 or 68-7222 or 81A-7222?

Hotrodvideo · 05-28-2013, 11:17 PM

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81A-7222, it's the right top.

How tight does that pin need to be?

Andy · 05-29-2013, 11:03 AM

Someone must have fooled with the top and removed the interlock pin. Take the shifter top without the lever and try to move the forks so they are in two gears at once. This is imposible with a complete shifter. Something is wrong with your top.
The pin has little effect on gear jumping. It just restricts the rotation of the lever. It feels nicer if it is tight

Hotrodvideo · 05-29-2013, 11:15 AM

The interlock pin, is that the one that goes through the outside of the top?

That pin loosened up and I tapped it out to put a new one in and it was bent when it came out.

I put another pin in there and welded it in place but the loose pin could have cause the fork to bend or maybe it ovaled out the holes?

Andy · 05-29-2013, 12:11 PM

You may have a shift top made in 38 and later converted to use the 39 big fork. You have to take the bars that the forks ride on to change the fork. The interlock pin rides between the bars and goes into notches that face towards the center of the top. The pin prevents two forks from being off center at the same time. It has to go in one bar before it can go out of the other. The interlock pin might have been left out when the fork was possibly changed.

05-28-2013, 10:32 AM	#1
Hotrodvideo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 317	'39 shifter problem I have a rebuilt '39 trans and I've been having this problem where the end of the shift lever gets caught between the forks. When this happens, you can't shift at all and I have to take out the shift lever and stick a long screw driver down there and line up the the forks so that it's in neutral so that I can put the lever back and drive it. Anybody have this problem? I know it's something in the shifter top because I've had it on 2 different transmissions and it did the same thing.

05-28-2013, 10:47 AM	#2
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,879	Re: '39 shifter problem I had mine hang up as you describe. I found that I had a 68- top with the 91A big fork in it. The 68- (1937) top does not have the interlock pin that goes between the shift rails to prevent hang ups. I have replaced the top with a 81A- top with the interlock. When mine hung up it broke my Lincoln cluster and 1-R sliding gear. Look for the number at the rear top of the shifter.

05-28-2013, 01:18 PM	#4
svm99 Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Garlic Country of CA Posts: 557	Re: '39 shifter problem Also, check the top where the 1/4" pin aligns the shifter. The pin get worn, the hole elongates and the shift handle slot also wears. Note of caution: ALWAYS REMOVE THE PIN BEFORE PULLING THE SHIFT HANDLE FROM THE TRANS. If there is wear you can try a new 1/4" pin or if the wear is excessive you go to an oversize pin (.257" diameter). Paul J.

05-28-2013, 08:10 PM	#5
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,430	Re: '39 shifter problem Can you tell us which shift housing you have....40-7222 or 68-7222 or 81A-7222? __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

05-28-2013, 11:17 PM	#6
Hotrodvideo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 317	Re: '39 shifter problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) 81A-7222, it's the right top. How tight does that pin need to be?

05-29-2013, 11:03 AM	#7
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,879	Re: '39 shifter problem Someone must have fooled with the top and removed the interlock pin. Take the shifter top without the lever and try to move the forks so they are in two gears at once. This is imposible with a complete shifter. Something is wrong with your top. The pin has little effect on gear jumping. It just restricts the rotation of the lever. It feels nicer if it is tight

05-29-2013, 11:15 AM	#8
Hotrodvideo Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Denver, CO Posts: 317	Re: '39 shifter problem The interlock pin, is that the one that goes through the outside of the top? That pin loosened up and I tapped it out to put a new one in and it was bent when it came out. I put another pin in there and welded it in place but the loose pin could have cause the fork to bend or maybe it ovaled out the holes?

05-29-2013, 12:11 PM	#9
Andy Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Kerrville, Tx Posts: 2,879	Re: '39 shifter problem You may have a shift top made in 38 and later converted to use the 39 big fork. You have to take the bars that the forks ride on to change the fork. The interlock pin rides between the bars and goes into notches that face towards the center of the top. The pin prevents two forks from being off center at the same time. It has to go in one bar before it can go out of the other. The interlock pin might have been left out when the fork was possibly changed.