The Ford Barn

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 04:03 PM

Oh Boy- what a scary thing. My first drive of the new year after cleaning and paining my '30 Sedan's motor. I put in new floorboards but didn't do anything mechanically except refilled the trans with clean 600 oil and STP.

Today, I started the car and it wouldn't shift into any gear (R,1,2,3) so I shut it off and started it in reverse (foot on clutch) and the car began to back-up with clutch pedal depressed?! I stopped the engine and now the gearshift is stuck in reverse....stumped?

Any ideas what would cause this?

Thanks,
Jim

PS- it drove beautifully last fall!

Bob C · 03-06-2016, 04:20 PM

The clutch disc is probably stuck to the flywheel. Try rocking the car a little while
pushing the gearshift lever towards neutral.

Bob

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 04:23 PM

OK that worked – any idea why I can't find gears? At first I couldn't find third, now I can't find first very well – and second is mushy. The gears seem to be either hard to find or just feel awful.

Do I need to do a clutch adjustment?

Patrick L. · 03-06-2016, 05:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchochole

OK that worked – any idea why I can't find gears? At first I couldn't find third, now I can't find first very well – and second is mushy. The gears seem to be either hard to find or just feel awful.

Do I need to do a clutch adjustment?

If the car was OK prior, its probably just needs a little driving.

How much free-play does it have ? It should have 1.5-2.0 "

Synchro909 · 03-06-2016, 05:11 PM

Could the bottom of the gear stick (with the ball on the end) be bent?

Dave in MD · 03-06-2016, 05:13 PM

Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements)

Jim,
Did you use 600 weight oil by today's standards? If it is to thick and coupled with STP, the gears may be very difficult to slide and spin.
Dave

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 05:14 PM

Naw, probably not bent- I am verrry gentle with a gearshift and don't manhandle it at all. Right now I can get reverse and 1st, and that's all. A bit ago I could get 2nd and a rough third.

(Yes- 600 wt oil with a little STP) It seems the shifting comes and goes-I took out the new floorboards and plate around the pedals thinking maybe it stopped the pedal movement.

Odd fact- with car off I can shift into reverse and 1st, once car is running- zero! Just chatters when I try to shift- even very lightly.

Bob C · 03-06-2016, 05:16 PM

Is the engine running when you are trying to get it in the gears?

Bob

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 05:19 PM

Bob- with the car off, I can depress clutch and shift into reverse and 1st, with car running- zero. Just grinds gears when I try.

By the way, I can depress my clutch pedal to the floorboards, is that acceptable? I don't think this car has ever been rebuilt. I took about 40lbs of road dirt off of it this winter.

Y-Blockhead · 03-06-2016, 05:33 PM

How cold is it in Oswego? Even is SoCal on a cold day (for us) I have a hard time shifting to 2-3 until I drive a little and things warm up...

Don't even THINK of using Mike's GL1500 in the trans...

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 05:35 PM

Today is about 50 degrees. So you think, since the car hasn't been started all winter, that maybe I can only get Reverse and 1st while cold and car off? It has been running for about 5 minutes and still no gears.

The odd fact is that once I put it in reverse with motor off, I couldn't shift out until I rocked the car. It took off in reverse with clutch pedal depressed when starting.

Y-Blockhead · 03-06-2016, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchochole

Today is about 50 degrees.

Can you take it out and drive it? Slowly in first? Until it warms up.

As a friend would say, exercise the gears after a nap.

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 05:41 PM

I would love to- but I can't shift into first while the car is idling. Back to my original problem, can't shift into gears.

Y-Blockhead · 03-06-2016, 05:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchochole

The odd fact is that once I put it in reverse with motor off, I couldn't shift out until I rocked the car. It took off in reverse with clutch pedal depressed when starting.

Oh, Like somone mentioned, sounds like the clutch is not disengaging or clutch plate is stuck to flywheel.

Bob C · 03-06-2016, 05:44 PM

Like I said originally I think the clutch disc is stuck to the flywheel os even when you
push in the clutch pedal the disc is still turning.

Bob

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 05:46 PM

Could be- any remedies or experience with this? Maybe old congealed & cold oil gluing it together?

What about jacking up the rear wheels and letting it spin the tires to warm up?

Y-Blockhead · 03-06-2016, 05:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jchochole

OK that worked – any idea why I can't find gears? At first I couldn't find third, now I can't find first very well – and second is mushy. The gears seem to be either hard to find or just feel awful.

Do I need to do a clutch adjustment?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob C

Like I said originally I think the clutch disc is stuck to the flywheel os even when you
push in the clutch pedal the disc is still turning.

Bob

Yes, Like you (Bob C) said. I thought he said that worked?? Guess he meant it worked to get the trans out of reverse...

I agree with Bob C. I think your disc is still stuck to the flywheel.

jchochole · 03-06-2016, 06:50 PM

OK – the opinion seems to be that my flywheel is stuck because of congealed old cold oil. I will jack up both back tires and start the car in first or reverse gear. Does it matter which? And let it run and warm up the oil and hopefully free my stuck clutch.

Bob C · 03-06-2016, 07:01 PM

It is probably rust not oil making it stick. Read some of the threads in the links.
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=stuck+clutch
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=stuck+clutch
https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=stuck+clutch

Bob

BILL WILLIAMSON · 03-06-2016, 07:53 PM

The clutch disc sticks to the flywheel/pressure plate, because metal fibers in the disc lining rust & become almost "welded" to the flywheel/pressure plate. There's been many threads here, on HOW to possibly break it loose.
Bill Stuck

03-06-2016, 04:03 PM	#1
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Can't go into any gear? Oh Boy- what a scary thing. My first drive of the new year after cleaning and paining my '30 Sedan's motor. I put in new floorboards but didn't do anything mechanically except refilled the trans with clean 600 oil and STP. Today, I started the car and it wouldn't shift into any gear (R,1,2,3) so I shut it off and started it in reverse (foot on clutch) and the car began to back-up with clutch pedal depressed?! I stopped the engine and now the gearshift is stuck in reverse....stumped? Any ideas what would cause this? Thanks, Jim PS- it drove beautifully last fall! __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford

03-06-2016, 04:20 PM	#2
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,847	Re: Can't go into any gear? The clutch disc is probably stuck to the flywheel. Try rocking the car a little while pushing the gearshift lever towards neutral. Bob

03-06-2016, 04:23 PM	#3
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Re: Can't go into any gear? OK that worked – any idea why I can't find gears? At first I couldn't find third, now I can't find first very well – and second is mushy. The gears seem to be either hard to find or just feel awful. Do I need to do a clutch adjustment? __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford Last edited by jchochole; 03-06-2016 at 04:39 PM.

03-06-2016, 05:11 PM	#5
Synchro909 Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: Melbourne, Australia Posts: 7,565	Re: Can't go into any gear? Could the bottom of the gear stick (with the ball on the end) be bent? __________________ I'm part of the only ever generation with an analogue childhood and a digital adulthood.

03-06-2016, 05:13 PM	#6
Dave in MD Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Posts: 175	Re: Can't go into any gear? Sponsored Links (Register now to hide all advertisements) Jim, Did you use 600 weight oil by today's standards? If it is to thick and coupled with STP, the gears may be very difficult to slide and spin. Dave

03-06-2016, 05:14 PM	#7
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Re: Can't go into any gear? Naw, probably not bent- I am verrry gentle with a gearshift and don't manhandle it at all. Right now I can get reverse and 1st, and that's all. A bit ago I could get 2nd and a rough third. (Yes- 600 wt oil with a little STP) It seems the shifting comes and goes-I took out the new floorboards and plate around the pedals thinking maybe it stopped the pedal movement. Odd fact- with car off I can shift into reverse and 1st, once car is running- zero! Just chatters when I try to shift- even very lightly. __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford

03-06-2016, 05:16 PM	#8
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,847	Re: Can't go into any gear? Is the engine running when you are trying to get it in the gears? Bob

03-06-2016, 05:19 PM	#9
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Re: Can't go into any gear? Bob- with the car off, I can depress clutch and shift into reverse and 1st, with car running- zero. Just grinds gears when I try. By the way, I can depress my clutch pedal to the floorboards, is that acceptable? I don't think this car has ever been rebuilt. I took about 40lbs of road dirt off of it this winter. __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford Last edited by jchochole; 03-06-2016 at 05:27 PM.

03-06-2016, 05:33 PM	#10
Y-Blockhead Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Redondo Beach, CA Posts: 5,946	Re: Can't go into any gear? How cold is it in Oswego? Even is SoCal on a cold day (for us) I have a hard time shifting to 2-3 until I drive a little and things warm up... Don't even THINK of using Mike's GL1500 in the trans...

03-06-2016, 05:35 PM	#11
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Re: Can't go into any gear? Today is about 50 degrees. So you think, since the car hasn't been started all winter, that maybe I can only get Reverse and 1st while cold and car off? It has been running for about 5 minutes and still no gears. The odd fact is that once I put it in reverse with motor off, I couldn't shift out until I rocked the car. It took off in reverse with clutch pedal depressed when starting. __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford

03-06-2016, 05:41 PM	#13
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Re: Can't go into any gear? I would love to- but I can't shift into first while the car is idling. Back to my original problem, can't shift into gears. __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford

03-06-2016, 05:44 PM	#15
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,847	Re: Can't go into any gear? Like I said originally I think the clutch disc is stuck to the flywheel os even when you push in the clutch pedal the disc is still turning. Bob

03-06-2016, 05:46 PM	#16
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Re: Can't go into any gear? Could be- any remedies or experience with this? Maybe old congealed & cold oil gluing it together? What about jacking up the rear wheels and letting it spin the tires to warm up? __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford

03-06-2016, 06:50 PM	#18
jchochole Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Oswego, IL Posts: 394	Re: Can't go into any gear? OK – the opinion seems to be that my flywheel is stuck because of congealed old cold oil. I will jack up both back tires and start the car in first or reverse gear. Does it matter which? And let it run and warm up the oil and hopefully free my stuck clutch. __________________ "Whether you think you can, or think you can't- you're right." H. Ford

03-06-2016, 07:01 PM	#19
Bob C Senior Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: So Cal Posts: 8,847	Re: Can't go into any gear? It is probably rust not oil making it stick. Read some of the threads in the links. https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=stuck+clutch https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=stuck+clutch https://www.fordbarn.com/forum/showth...t=stuck+clutch Bob

03-06-2016, 07:53 PM	#20
BILL WILLIAMSON Senior Member Join Date: Dec 2010 Location: FRESNO, CA Posts: 12,560	Re: Can't go into any gear? The clutch disc sticks to the flywheel/pressure plate, because metal fibers in the disc lining rust & become almost "welded" to the flywheel/pressure plate. There's been many threads here, on HOW to possibly break it loose. Bill Stuck __________________ "THE ASSISTANT GURU OF STUFF"