Second gear

[Vern1030]

I have a 1930 tudor and it’s hard to get into second gear. Thoughts.....Vern

[Marshall V. Daut]

For starters, lower the idle speed and use a heavier lube in the transmission. I like a 50-50 mix of 600w and STP oil treatment. Make sure the clutch is adjusted properly.
Marshall

[J Franklin]

Do you double clutch? Patience also is a virtue when shifting a Model A Ford.

[Vern1030]

And sometimes when I’m at a dead stop I cant get into first gear. Could it be the shifting tower needs work?

[Ordsgt]

sounds like your clutch me need to be adjusted. When you say you can't get into second gear is that because it will not go in or does it grind the gears. Basically once I get the car moving in first gear I shift into second and no need to double clutch.

[Vern1030]

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It just won’t go in . No gear grinding.

[Marshall V. Daut]

Will it go into 2nd gear with the engine off? If not, then the problem is definitely inside the transmission or in the shift tower. Was it like this since you bought the car or did the problem develop since? Quickly or gradually? Did it ever shift properly?
M.

[Ordsgt]

From the information you have given I would pull the tower off the transmission and inspect

[marty in Ohio]

Sounds to me like the round ball on the bottom of the shifter is now worn to a square ball. Don't ask me how I know.
Marty

[nkaminar]

I also think the problem is in the shift tower. Check the detents and ball at the end of the shift lever. Check the pins that go into the detents too. You will have to take the shift tower apart and replace or fix any worn or damaged parts. While you have the shift tower off try pushing the second gear into position to make sure that there is not something binding in the gearbox itself.

[Marshall V. Daut]

And when you examine the shift tower, ensure that neither of the two shifting forks is bent. That can happen when someone panic downshifts too hard. A twisted shifting fork will make sliding the gears back and forth very difficult.
Marshall

[Benson]

...

[Vern1030]

Thank You guys! Looks like I will be taking the shift tower off. Just bought the car and finished putting it together. Went for first drive and had trouble shifting.......Vern

[Y-Blockhead]

Originally Posted by Benson

2. When you have removed the tower do not run engine with clutch released.

Don't even think of starting the engine with the cover off! If two gears are engaged at the same time your day will go downhill in a hurry...

[GMCPASO]

Check shifting fork(s) for ware. Is it hard or not going all the way in to detent on shift rod. Have you found the problem yet?

[Brentwood Bob]

A minor point, if you try to run the engine with the transmission top off, the transmission oil will cover the inside of the car. You don't want to do this.

[Gene F]

How do the shift towers get worn with all that 600W being thrown around in there?

[J Franklin]

Lubrication only slows inevitable wear.

[nkaminar]

Now that the subject of lubrication has been brought up, here is my 2 cents: 600W was good 100 years ago. Modern gear lube deposits a coating on the metal parts that wears instead of the metal. The coating is constantly be re deposited. Use 85W-140 G5 in your transmission.

[Marshall V. Daut]

The 600w we are obliged to buy today is not the same stuff Ford used 100 years ago. It may stink the same, but its lubrication qualities are not up to Ford's standards, which is why we need to thicken it up with STP or some agent that will improve the clinging and coating attributes to make shifting easier with less grinding. Because the original 600w was so thick, Ford garages had a special pump to introduce it into steering boxes, transmissions and rear ends. It was too thick to pour. That's why for a couple years, steering boxes had a Zerk fitting in the filler hole. That was NOT for chassis grease! The REAL 600w was pumped through this fitting because it couldn't be poured in. With today's so-called 600w, it can be poured into the steering box like syrup. Try mixing in some STP oil treatment and you will definitely see improvement in shifting ease with less grinding.
Marshall