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Hard to get into first gear #1702477
11/23/14 10:54 PM
11/23/14 10:54 PM
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29
Brooklyn NY
M
magic1 Offline OP
member
magic1  Offline OP
member
M

Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 29
Brooklyn NY
1970 GTX 440 numbers matching car... After running for a while.. From neutral, and at idle speed..it gives me a hard time to shift into 1st gear...After a while it goes in but not very easily....It's easier to downshift from 4th to 3rd to 2nd....and then at a slight roll into 1st. Gear oil has Lucas Oil additive and the clutch linkage has been adjusted and lubriated.
Any Ideas?

Re: Hard to get into first gear [Re: magic1] #1702478
11/23/14 11:42 PM
11/23/14 11:42 PM
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,013
South Park, Pa.
68LAR Offline
master
68LAR  Offline
master

Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 4,013
South Park, Pa.
My guess is the lube. Any GL4 gear oil or Dexron ATF is what you should have. Adding an additive that increases the viscosity,(makes it too slippery) doesn't allow the brass blocker rings to grab the main gear cone properly.


4 speed street legal. Best time 10.99 @ 124 mph on 93 octane pump gas @ 3926# total weight
Re: Hard to get into first gear [Re: magic1] #1702479
11/23/14 11:45 PM
11/23/14 11:45 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,566
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Twostick Offline
Still wishing...
Twostick  Offline
Still wishing...

Joined: May 2003
Posts: 6,566
Downtown Roebuck Ont
Does it grind or just refuse to go in at all?

It could be a couple of things.

Synchros can be fussy about what kind of oil you feed them because they require metal to metal contact to function. If you are running a synthetic oil or an additive such as Lucas, it could prevent this contact from happening. Sometimes oil can be "too" good.

The other thing is the clutch adjustment. You can have linkage free play that is in spec but still not get enough travel to disengage the clutch completely so it drags. IIRC the air gap between the disc and flywheel is supposed to be .060". If that is the wrong spec someone will correct me.

If it was mine, I would adjust the linkage up until I had little to zero free play and see if it will shift into gear properly. If it does then it was the clutch adjustment. I would then run the minimum spec free play that will keep the release bearing off the fingers but still disengage clean.

If that don't cure it, I would change the oil to a 75w90 that has the synchro friction modifier in it. It usually says on the label if it is synchro compatible. Some guys run ATF as did the factory in some applications but some trans don't like it. (they leak). I wouldn't use any additives.

Kevin

Re: Hard to get into first gear [Re: magic1] #1702480
11/24/14 12:45 AM
11/24/14 12:45 AM
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555
Rittman Ohio
fourgearsavoy Offline
I Live Here
fourgearsavoy  Offline
I Live Here

Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 10,555
Rittman Ohio
How is reverse? You could possibly have some pilot bushing issues(binding)not letting the input shaft slow down when you push the clutch in. Has the trans been out of the car for a clutch change or engine re-build? If it only grinds into first and not reverse I would be looking at the first gear brass ring. Trans mis-alignment could also be suspect
Gus


64 Plymouth Savoy
493 Indy EZ's by Nick at Compu-Flow
5-Speed Richmond faceplate Liberty box
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