The Ford Barn

35cab · 01-28-2015, 06:12 PM

I have a 40-48 transmission in my 35 cabriolet, been running fine. I recently had floor boards up for other reasons, put it all back together but strangely I cannot select first gear. I have checked column shift linkage all fine, nothing catching on floor boards etc. I undid the rod from the low/reverse lever, I can select reverse but not first gear.
It feels bound up but as I say all other gears are fine. Any thoughts before I pull the panel off?
Thanks in advance.
Gordon.

alanwoodieman · 01-28-2015, 07:56 PM

disconnect both trans shift rods at transmission, place both lever is the neutral position, shift one lever back and forth--ie 2nd to 3rd, or reverse to first. somehow your trans got into two gears at once. there are some detent balls and a spring located in the side shifter, if the balls are badly worn this can happen--just be glad you were not going down the road when it did it-I left part of a case on the road!!

George/Maine · 01-29-2015, 03:15 PM

My 47 had it happen shifting to fast from 1st to 2nd.
Friend new what it was and I held the clutch in and he put the arms even on column under hood. Was in two gears at one time as above said.

35cab · 01-29-2015, 05:26 PM

Alan, George,
Thanks for replies, I took your advice, undid the column to box linkage, moved the selectors on the box a few times and "clunk" everything fell into place. I can't quite understand this but still learning that despite the logic of Henry's engineering "weird stuff happens"
Thanks again.
Gordon.

JSeery · 01-29-2015, 07:30 PM

Think your answer is in #2 above, "if the balls are badly worn this can happen". I would guess that there is an issue with the detent balls. Remember, it is possible that this can reoccur!

blucar · 01-30-2015, 12:24 PM

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To use current speak, Back in The Day, a common trick to pull on people with column shift Fords was to pop the hood, grab hold of both shift arms on the column, pulling them up. this would lock the trans shift arms and thereby make it impossible to drive the car..
A good way to be the Shining Knight to rescue the damsel in distress and thereby strike up a conversation with her..

01-28-2015, 06:12 PM	#1
35cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 125	Side shift transmission problem I have a 40-48 transmission in my 35 cabriolet, been running fine. I recently had floor boards up for other reasons, put it all back together but strangely I cannot select first gear. I have checked column shift linkage all fine, nothing catching on floor boards etc. I undid the rod from the low/reverse lever, I can select reverse but not first gear. It feels bound up but as I say all other gears are fine. Any thoughts before I pull the panel off? Thanks in advance. Gordon.

01-29-2015, 03:15 PM	#3
George/Maine Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Mid coast Maine Posts: 1,878	Re: Side shift transmission problem My 47 had it happen shifting to fast from 1st to 2nd. Friend new what it was and I held the clutch in and he put the arms even on column under hood. Was in two gears at one time as above said.

01-29-2015, 05:26 PM	#4
35cab Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Edinburgh, Scotland Posts: 125	Re: Side shift transmission problem Alan, George, Thanks for replies, I took your advice, undid the column to box linkage, moved the selectors on the box a few times and "clunk" everything fell into place. I can't quite understand this but still learning that despite the logic of Henry's engineering "weird stuff happens" Thanks again. Gordon.

01-29-2015, 07:30 PM	#5
JSeery Member Emeritus Join Date: Nov 2012 Location: Wichita KS Posts: 16,132	Re: Side shift transmission problem Think your answer is in #2 above, "if the balls are badly worn this can happen". I would guess that there is an issue with the detent balls. Remember, it is possible that this can reoccur!

01-30-2015, 12:24 PM	#6
blucar Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Ventura, CA Posts: 2,464	Re: Side shift transmission problem Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) To use current speak, Back in The Day, a common trick to pull on people with column shift Fords was to pop the hood, grab hold of both shift arms on the column, pulling them up. this would lock the trans shift arms and thereby make it impossible to drive the car.. A good way to be the Shining Knight to rescue the damsel in distress and thereby strike up a conversation with her.. __________________ Bill.... 36 5 win cpe

01-28-2015, 07:56 PM	#2
alanwoodieman Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: upstate SC Posts: 2,963	Re: Side shift transmission problem disconnect both trans shift rods at transmission, place both lever is the neutral position, shift one lever back and forth--ie 2nd to 3rd, or reverse to first. somehow your trans got into two gears at once. there are some detent balls and a spring located in the side shifter, if the balls are badly worn this can happen--just be glad you were not going down the road when it did it-I left part of a case on the road!!