1939 Ford Deluxe Vert STUCK in Reverse

[Ramblin Reck]

Went out to drive my ride yesterday and she is stuck in Reverse ! Cannot put it into first second or third. Can't get it out of Reverse. Need help.

[marko39]

You could try rocking the car to remove any load present but you may have to remove trans. top to free it and see if anything looks wrong. Problem may be in shift tower if you're lucky.

[rotorwrench]

There may be a problem such as a bent 1st/Reverse shift fork or something going on with the shift detent for the 1st/Rev fork inside the shift tower. A check of the pin that holds the shift lever in the ball socket may also be in order but be careful not to let it drop into the transmission since it may be loose.

There could be a problem with the 1st/Rev slider gear or the Reverse idler gear but that should be evident if the shift tower is removed.

[Ramblin Reck]

I got excellent help and advice from VanPelt Sales LLC in Batavia, OH. 513-724-9486
They will rebuild my tower if need be. Tip of the hat to John V in St Augustine.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Reck

I got excellent help and advice from VanPelt Sales LLC in Batavia, OH. 513-724-9486
They will rebuild my tower if need be. Tip of the hat to John V in St Augustine.

So with the help from Mac VP, were you able to get the transmission out of reverse? Did you remove the shift tower and find something wrong with that, or does Mac just feel your problem is definitely in the shift tower based on your verbal description given over the phone? I'm just curious....

[ssffnomad]

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That little tiny pin that holds the shift lever in the ball. Makes me really nervous ��.
Stretch

[Ramblin Reck]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

So with the help from Mac VP, were you able to get the transmission out of reverse? Did you remove the shift tower and find something wrong with that, or does Mac just feel your problem is definitely in the shift tower based on your verbal description given over the phone? I'm just curious....

Removed the shift tower and found the Low and Reverse gear shifter had gotten out of alignment some how and was relatively easily popped back into place. Replaced tower and all is well that ends well. Don't know "How " that happened. Perhaps just old and worn out after 82 years of use and abuse. I will be gentler with the shifter henceforth! Still nice to know Van Pelt is there for these kinds of problems.
"It the spherical tip of the shift lever gets worn down, it can slip out of the groove and lock up." PER ROTORWRENCH

[Ramblin Reck]

Originally Posted by ssffnomad

That little tiny pin that holds the shift lever in the ball. Makes me really nervous ��.
Stretch

Me too! But it wasn't the issue nor did we have to take the cover off of the 1/2 ball. Van Pelt suggested that if we had to remove the screw on cover, it is best to take the tower off of the Tranny and use a workbench on which to perform that operation. Good to know for future reference

[V8COOPMAN]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Reck

Removed the shift tower and found the Low and Reverse gear shifter had gotten out of alignment some how and was relatively easily popped back into place. Replaced tower and all is well that ends well. Don't know "How " that happened. Perhaps just old and worn out after 82 years of use and abuse. I will be gentler with the shifter henceforth! Still nice to know Van Pelt is there for these kinds of problems.

I am trying VERY HARD, to imagine just how it can be possible for that shifting fork to jump out of that huge groove, and suddenly be "out of alignment". You say it did....and I can't dispute what you found. I just can't imagine THAT happening at all, much less while easing the car into the garage from the previous drive. But what do I know? DD
.

[rotorwrench]

It the spherical tip of the shift lever gets worn down, it can slip out of the groove and lock up. A person may want to check that shift lever and the fork slots if it continues to slip out.

[SSsssteamer]

If it were mine, I would rebuild the shift tower before the shifter slips out again and leaves you stranded in never, never land.

[JM 35 Sedan]

Originally Posted by Ramblin Reck

Removed the shift tower and found the Low and Reverse gear shifter had gotten out of alignment some how and was relatively easily popped back into place. Replaced tower and all is well that ends well. Don't know "How " that happened. Perhaps just old and worn out after 82 years of use and abuse. I will be gentler with the shifter henceforth! Still nice to know Van Pelt is there for these kinds of problems.

What's the history on this transmission? Was it out of the car sometime in its recent past for repairs/rebuild by you or a previous owner? Or was the shifter top removed recently for some reason, prior to this latest problem?

[Ramblin Reck]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

What's the history on this transmission? Was it out of the car sometime in its recent past for repairs/rebuild by you or a previous owner? Or was the shifter top removed recently for some reason, prior to this latest problem?

Have no clue and no one to ask. Bought it from a Model A Buff who thought he would have it restored but decide NOPE, too much money and too lengthy of a process. The previous owner went to the great motor pool in the sky.

[Ramblin Reck]

Originally Posted by SSsssteamer

If it were mine, I would rebuild the shift tower before the shifter slips out again and leaves you stranded in never, never land.

That is a good idea. Going to see on Monday if I can buy a rebuilt shifter from Van Pelt. I could send him mine and that way my down time would be minimized. He said I could do it but there is one tricky part to a rebuild which needs a special tool or jig for lining up too slots which went right over my head. But you are correct in that if it did it once it will do it again. I know how to fix now and have AAA. But still I would like to have reliability and dependability. Thanks

[Ramblin Reck]

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

It the spherical tip of the shift lever gets worn down, it can slip out of the groove and lock up. A person may want to check that shift lever and the fork slots if it continues to slip out.

Me thinks you nailed it, ("Dead on Balls Accurate") and that is exactly what happened as I remember watching my more experienced friend push that spherical tip back over into position. Thanks for using the proper terminology which helps me better to explain what went wrong. Not sure I completely understand the fork slots you refer to here. Are these slots in the transmission or in the shifter? Thanks

[Ramblin Reck]

Originally Posted by V8COOPMAN

I am trying VERY HARD, to imagine just how it can be possible for that shifting fork to jump out of that huge groove, and suddenly be "out of alignment". You say it did....and I can't dispute what you found. I just can't imagine THAT happening at all, much less while easing the car into the garage from the previous drive. But what do I know? DD
.

I think Roto Wrench "s'plains" it better than I do. See his comment below.

[Ramblin Reck]

Originally Posted by JM 35 Sedan

So with the help from Mac VP, were you able to get the transmission out of reverse? Did you remove the shift tower and find something wrong with that, or does Mac just feel your problem is definitely in the shift tower based on your verbal description given over the phone? I'm just curious....

I THINK THIS IS WHAT HAPPENED........"It the spherical tip of the shift lever gets worn down, it can slip out of the groove and lock up." PER ROTORWRENCH Turning the shift lever upside down, the two spherical tips got intertwined and were easily "Unlocked" using finger pressure. Hope this explains it.