The Ford Barn

CMess · 08-19-2013, 08:20 PM

I am a novice mechanic. I have a '49 Ford Custom which has been in my family many decades. It has a three speed manual transmission with overdrive. I cannot move the shift mechanism at all. It will not go in any direction.

The transmission worked perfectly when I brought it into the garage to make some seemingly unrelated repairs (e.g., new water pumps). The clutch engaged well without any slippage (it still seems to move well now). I did change the transmission fluid with 75W-90. Also, I removed the overdrive cable at the overdrive unit to lubricate it. I also lubricated all visible moving parts for the clutch and transmission rods from the steering column down to the transmission.

I have not found anything on any forum to help. Any suggestions from those who know more than I do (which is probably everyone reading this) would be greatly appreciated. (My daughter wants me to drive this car for her wedding.)

ken tx · 08-19-2013, 08:43 PM

CMESS,
Get under the car, move the shifting arms (on the side of the trans) into netural. both arms , low and reverse--2nd and 3rd (high) have to be in netural for the shift lever to work.

CMess · 08-19-2013, 09:04 PM

Thank you, Ken. I will give that a try and will report back. Chris

Dick Webber · 08-20-2013, 12:00 AM

I was always able to do it from under the hood. Put both shift levers in neutral. The levers will lock up occasionally with worn linkage or sloppy shifting (don't cut the corners across the H).

Frank Miller · 08-20-2013, 08:42 AM

My guess is you inadvertently moved a shift lever while working on the cable. Like everyone said just put everything in the neutral position.

flathead4rd · 08-20-2013, 11:47 AM

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Yep, had this happen to me many times. Open the hood, move the shift levers into the neutral position and all will work well until the next time. Or maybe never happen again. Depends on how sloppy your shift linkage is or isn't.

08-19-2013, 08:20 PM	#1
CMess Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2	49 8BA will not shift I am a novice mechanic. I have a '49 Ford Custom which has been in my family many decades. It has a three speed manual transmission with overdrive. I cannot move the shift mechanism at all. It will not go in any direction. The transmission worked perfectly when I brought it into the garage to make some seemingly unrelated repairs (e.g., new water pumps). The clutch engaged well without any slippage (it still seems to move well now). I did change the transmission fluid with 75W-90. Also, I removed the overdrive cable at the overdrive unit to lubricate it. I also lubricated all visible moving parts for the clutch and transmission rods from the steering column down to the transmission. I have not found anything on any forum to help. Any suggestions from those who know more than I do (which is probably everyone reading this) would be greatly appreciated. (My daughter wants me to drive this car for her wedding.)

08-19-2013, 08:43 PM	#2
ken tx Junior Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 8	Re: 49 8BA will not shift CMESS, Get under the car, move the shifting arms (on the side of the trans) into netural. both arms , low and reverse--2nd and 3rd (high) have to be in netural for the shift lever to work.

08-19-2013, 09:04 PM	#3
CMess Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2013 Posts: 2	Re: 49 8BA will not shift Thank you, Ken. I will give that a try and will report back. Chris

08-20-2013, 12:00 AM	#4
Dick Webber Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Bowling Green KY Posts: 337	Re: 49 8BA will not shift I was always able to do it from under the hood. Put both shift levers in neutral. The levers will lock up occasionally with worn linkage or sloppy shifting (don't cut the corners across the H).

08-20-2013, 08:42 AM	#5
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: 49 8BA will not shift My guess is you inadvertently moved a shift lever while working on the cable. Like everyone said just put everything in the neutral position. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

08-20-2013, 11:47 AM	#6
flathead4rd Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Michigan Posts: 505	Re: 49 8BA will not shift Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Yep, had this happen to me many times. Open the hood, move the shift levers into the neutral position and all will work well until the next time. Or maybe never happen again. Depends on how sloppy your shift linkage is or isn't.