I'll start with this is not truck related, but there are some awfully smart mechanics on this board and I value your advice.
My daughter called and said her car, 4 speed Saginaw and a 3.55 open diff, was stuck in the garage and wouldn't move in reverse, but would go forward. I got a chance to try it and sure enough, it would move in 1st. Put it in reverse and revved it, loading the clutch and engine as much as I dared, and the body lifted like a brake torque with an auto, but the car wouldn't budge. The brakes were not stuck since we stuck it in neutral and the car pushed easily both forward and back.
Getting clever, we pushed it backwards down the inclined driveway and I let out the clutch while it was rolling and engine idling and it worked fine - no crunch, whine, bang or anything to indicate something breaking loose. It drives fine now and I was unable to get it to repeat.
I want to fix it before the trans/rear? blow up and leave her stranded but I haven't a clue where to start looking. I've blown up spider gears and the car won't move at all.
OK - it is a Corvair, but as far as the transaxle is concerned it's just a Saginaw and the open diff with no driveshaft in-between; the output shaft is directly connected to the pinion.
Anyone hear of this before? Any clues?
Thanks in advance.
