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| | | | Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 75 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2015 Posts: 75 | I was driving my 1963 C-10 today and got it up to 3rd gear for the first time. I noticed whenever I try to downshift between 2nd and 1st the gears grind if I try to move the lever out of neutral. The only way to downshift into 1st is to bring the truck to a complete stop. It does not do this between 3rd and 2nd. I've tried double clutching, but that didn't help. What could be causing this? My transmission is the standard 3-speed column shift. | | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 Bolter | | Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 7,440 | One of the quirks of owning these trucks is the non-synchronized first gear in some models of transmissions.ðŸ›
Martin
'62 Chevy C-10 Stepside Shortbed (Restomod in progress)
'47 Chevy 3100 5 Window (long term project)
‘65 Chevy Biscayne (Emily)
‘39 Dodge Business Coupe (Clarence)
“I fought the law and the law won" now I are a retired one!
Support those brave men/women who stand the "Thin Blue Line"! Hug a cop!
USAF 1965-1969 Weather Observation Tech (I got paid to look at the clouds)
| | | | | Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,067 Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums | | Housekeeping (Moderator) Making a Stovebolt Bed & Paint and Body Shop Forums Joined: May 2015 Posts: 11,067 | It's possible to downshift a non-synchronized tranny, but you need to rev the engine to match the gear speeds with the double clutch maneuver. No way you're going to just jam it in.
Kevin 1951 Chevy 3100 work truckFollow this saga in Project JournalPhotos 1929 Ford pickup restored from the ground up. | 1929 Ford Special Coupe (First car) Busting rust since the mid-60's If you're smart enough to take it apart, you darn well better be smart enough to put it back together. | | | | | Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 Renaissance Man | | Renaissance Man Joined: Mar 2010 Posts: 10,280 | Your synchronizers are likely toast. Drain the oil and see if it looks like a chocolate snow globe.
1952 5-window - return to "as built" condition | 1950 3100 with a 235 and a T-5 transmission
| | | | | Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,951 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Sep 2011 Posts: 2,951 | My 1965 had a 3 speed. It wouldn't downshift into first either. I doubt anything is wrong with the tranny. That's just the way they are. You can upgrade to an early 1970s 3 speed with a synchronized 1st gear. | | | | | Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 45 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Jun 2005 Posts: 45 | My 65 panel was the same way it's normal, no synchro in first gear. I think they changed it in 66 or 67? I never felt the need to downshift to first except to get going. The engine torque and low rear gear is enough to lug it in 2nd.
Richard
42 Chevy pickup
65 Chevy C10 Panel
| | | | | Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,098 'Bolter | | 'Bolter Joined: Apr 2005 Posts: 2,098 | You may have caused some serious damage to the teeth on the 1st/reverse slider gear and the counter gear by trying to get it into first while moving. I would certainly drain the oil to get the metal particles out before they finish off what was probably a pretty good transmission.
Fred
1956 3100 Pickup/Red/350/3sp OD/PS/Disc Brakes
1957 Bel Air Sport Coupe/Red/355/TH350/PS/Disc Brakes
2017 Silverado LT Single Cab SB/Black/5.3/6 Speed Trans
1947 Willys CJ2A w/F-Head engine
| | | | | Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) | | Kettle Custodian (pot stirrer) Joined: Feb 2004 Posts: 29,802 | Look at the side cover of the transmission where the shifter bellcranks are. If it's got 4 bolts holding it on, it's got the non-synchronized 1st. gear. If there are 7 bolts, it's a Saginasw transmission, and 1st. is synchronized. A Saginaw that grinds going into 1st. below about 15 MPH needs a new 1st. gear synchronizer.
Jerry
"It is better to be silent and be thought a fool than to speak and eliminate all doubt!" - Abraham Lincoln
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Love your enemies and drive 'em nuts!
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