The Ford Barn

chiefdave · 12-30-2019, 09:17 AM

The OD trans in my '49 has started to stick in gear on occasion. Placing the shift lever in neutral with the engine off and rocking the car breaks it loose. I did replace the worn linkage bushings but the problem still exists. Maybe a bent shifting fork?

Frank Miller · 12-31-2019, 07:53 AM

Did you adjust the shift linkage when you changed the bushings? With the transmission in neutral, meaning the shift levers are locked in their detent and the shifter in neutral the rods should be set to that length. Lengthen or shortern as needed to make them slide right in.

Mac VP · 12-31-2019, 08:31 AM

Check both of the shifter levers down on the transmission. The 49-50 Mercury levers were rolled and bent from heavy sheet metal and after many years of use they tend to crack at the 90 degree bend (where they are pinned to the shifter shafts). If this is evident on your trans, you’ll have to repair or replace them.

Your post doesn’t say which gear position that is sticking.....or is it all of them?

Another potential cause could be worn or broken front motor mounts, letting the engine settle or rock, putting the shift linkage out of alignment.

rotorwrench · 12-31-2019, 12:19 PM

If it can be shifted to neutral with the gear change mechanism, it should be in neutral unless there is a lot of play in the forks or the shift levers as was mentioned. A stuck syncro or low/reverse gear shouldn't let you shift to neutral unless there is play.

chiefdave · 12-31-2019, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rotorwrench

If it can be shifted to neutral with the gear change mechanism, it should be in neutral unless there is a lot of play in the forks or the shift levers as was mentioned. A stuck syncro or low/reverse gear shouldn't let you shift to neutral unless there is play.

When stuck the lever will go into any of the forward gear positions but not reverse. Had already planned on having the trans pulled to have all of the seals/gaskets replaced. Found a NOS low/reverse fork and cam, would it be worth replacing them since the side plate is going to be off anyway?

Mac VP · 12-31-2019, 06:17 PM

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It sounds suspiciously like a problem in the OD fork and rail assembly, including perhaps the connecting parts. There’s also a unique flapper lever (7292) in the side cover that is used in connection with the reverse lockout assy. This might be obvious when you’re looking at the inside of the shifter housing. Refer to the drawing below. If it’s in the fork and rail assembly, the transmission will have to come apart.

http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...hiftr-hsng.jpg

12-30-2019, 09:17 AM	#1
chiefdave Member Join Date: Oct 2019 Location: Warsaw, MO Posts: 52	Transmission woes The OD trans in my '49 has started to stick in gear on occasion. Placing the shift lever in neutral with the engine off and rocking the car breaks it loose. I did replace the worn linkage bushings but the problem still exists. Maybe a bent shifting fork?

12-31-2019, 07:53 AM	#2
Frank Miller Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Auburn, MA Posts: 2,106	Re: Transmission woes Did you adjust the shift linkage when you changed the bushings? With the transmission in neutral, meaning the shift levers are locked in their detent and the shifter in neutral the rods should be set to that length. Lengthen or shortern as needed to make them slide right in. __________________ “The technique of infamy is to start two lies at once and get people arguing heatedly over which is true.” ~ Ezra Pound

12-31-2019, 08:31 AM	#3
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: Transmission woes Check both of the shifter levers down on the transmission. The 49-50 Mercury levers were rolled and bent from heavy sheet metal and after many years of use they tend to crack at the 90 degree bend (where they are pinned to the shifter shafts). If this is evident on your trans, you’ll have to repair or replace them. Your post doesn’t say which gear position that is sticking.....or is it all of them? Another potential cause could be worn or broken front motor mounts, letting the engine settle or rock, putting the shift linkage out of alignment. __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com

12-31-2019, 12:19 PM	#4
rotorwrench Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: San Antonio, Texas Posts: 16,431	Re: Transmission woes If it can be shifted to neutral with the gear change mechanism, it should be in neutral unless there is a lot of play in the forks or the shift levers as was mentioned. A stuck syncro or low/reverse gear shouldn't let you shift to neutral unless there is play.

12-31-2019, 06:17 PM	#6
Mac VP Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Cincinnati, OH Posts: 1,361	Re: Transmission woes Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) It sounds suspiciously like a problem in the OD fork and rail assembly, including perhaps the connecting parts. There’s also a unique flapper lever (7292) in the side cover that is used in connection with the reverse lockout assy. This might be obvious when you’re looking at the inside of the shifter housing. Refer to the drawing below. If it’s in the fork and rail assembly, the transmission will have to come apart. http://www.vanpeltsales.com/FH_web/F...hiftr-hsng.jpg __________________ VANPELT SALES LLC Cincinnati, Ohio Office: 513-724-9486 www.vanpeltsales.com www.classictransmission.com