Last year my 56 would be very hard to shift out of second gear when i really ran it out.it is a three speed with overdrive.i have the trans. pressure plate clutch out now and really cant see any problem with them.anyone out there have any suggestions.  Carl   circleville  ohio 

Carl,

          If your shift linkage is tight, it will be bearings or syncros in the transmission.

Frank/Rebop

Bristol, In ( by Elkhart) 

Had the same problem with my '55 BW OD T-bird trans. Synchros worn out. Bit the bullet and rebuilt it.

Works fine now, except every once in a while the 2nd-to-3rd shift snaps/bangs-in too fast, like the detent spring-ball sticks. All the shift parts in the side cover assembly looked good, and since they were so hard to find NOS (uncommon tranny), I reused them. I likely should have replaced the ball/spring tube at least.



This brings me to consider a quandary that has always bugged me: What is the most economical use of components in these old no-L/R-syncro trans. systems? Specifically, when stopped at a light, what to do? If you put it in neutral and let out the clutch, you must either;



1. Let the gears clash when shifting directly back to low (assuming a typical stoplight interval, not a train crossing where the gears have had time to spin down).



2. Shift to 2nd or 3rd before selecting low gear (thereby accelerating syncro wear), or should you:



3. Shift to low as you stop, and leave the clutch in (increasing throw-out/crank bearing wear, not to mention your leg!).



I have been doing a little of each method, to spread the wear. Any suggestions?

6 VOLTS/POS. GRD. NW INDIANA

On stock 3 speeds I seem to get good results going from 3rd or 2nd to 1st.

-Gary Burnette-

Thanks for the replys  my thinking was that the clutch needs adjusting, maybe not releasing as much as it should.  synronizers look ok  Carl

Excessive flex or movement in the clutch linkage preventing complete disengagement of the clutch disk at the higher rpms is worth considering.  Engine mount being too loose or broken would be at the top of the list if the transmission itself is in good condition.  If the clutch disengagement is set closer to the floor and not at the top, then this can be more of a problem.

Lorena, Texas (South of Waco)