The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline Transmission Reverse Problem

Good evening fellow bolters!

My 1954 Chevy 1/2 ton truck with 3 speed tranny just developed a problem this afternoon and before today, it has always shifted great with no issues what so ever.

I went to a local car show this afternoon and when I went to back into a parking spot, put it into reverse and when I let out on the clutch, it ground like it was only halfway in gear but it was all the way in gear as far the shifter goes.

I am thinking it is possibly the reverse idler gear not moving like it is supposed to from being worn out. Any thought?

Thanks in advance!

Kevin

Check all of your linkage before you even think about going into the transmission.

I can do that.

Well it's definitely an internal problem.

I checked the travel of the lever with the linkage rod attached then with it unattached and it's the same. So linkage adjustment isn't the problem. I had the truck running when when I release the clutch, the tranny is noisy so it's going to have to come out.

Kevin

Do you have an open driveline of a torque tube? I seem to remember 54 being the beginning year for open drivelines. There should be a fair number of the SM-318 open driveline transmissions available for a swap instead of digging into yours and repairing it.
Jerry

Open drivelines were used on 3/4 ton and larger 1954 GM trucks.
The enclosed driveshaft was still used on 1954 1/2 ton GM trucks.

All 1955 Chevrolet Advance-Design & Task Force trucks had open drive-lines.

Thanks Jerry!

Yeah mine is still enclosed. I think 55.1 was the first year for open driveline. I have actually found a 3 speed tranny here in Missouri that the guy has had for many years and it came out of his 53 Chevy truck. He says it worked good when he took it out, he swapped engine and drivetrain out for a V8 and auto.

I think I am going to buy it.

Kevin

I've got a couple of those torque tube boxes stashed away- - - - -I was going to offer you one, but it looks like you've got things handled.
Jerry

Oh thank you Jerry!!

I just went on the hunt for one this morning and found one, but Thank you anyway!!

Kevin

Guys,

I just had a thought come to mind on this problem, I may be way off but time will tell. I had been noticing a slight oil leak coming from the reverse idler shaft pin hole on the case right after I got the truck back on the road a couple of weeks ago.

When we got home Saturday evening from the car show, I raised the front end up and got under the truck and oil literally ran out of that hole. I am thinking that the shaft pin has broke or moved and has allowed the reverse idler gear to move out of it's position in the case and that is why I am getting grinding when I put it in reverse, and noise when the truck is idling out of gear.

Once I pull the transmission, I am going to take it to the only guy around here who still rebuilds manual transmissions and have him take a look at it.

Kevin