The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Driveline 1950 3600 Shifting Problem

My 3600 is having a tough time shifting. Sometimes after I start it in neutral, I cannot get it to go into any gear. It also happens when driving as I typically wait at lights in neutral and then I can't get it to go into gear. I checked the clutch adjustment and found I had about an inch of free travel which is the max according to the manual. I adjusted it to 3/4" which is the specified minimum, but it still does it. A mechanic friend thinks it may be the pilot bushing as he calls it. I tried topping off the transmission oil and it seems full as after adding oil it drips out from the fill plug hole. Also, when I start in gear there is sometimes a lurch forward as though the clutch is not totally disengaged but once the truck starts it no longer creeps or moves ahead until I let off on the clutch. Am I looking at dropping the transmission and a new clutch? Thanks for any help or advice on this.

3 spd or 4 spd?

First I'd make sure the shift linkage is aligned and not binding, then I'd look at the throw out bearing and shift fork.

Last is syncros and gears being worn out.

4 speed.

Gazz - It very well could be the pilot bushing. If its binding on the input shaft, it will keep trying to turn the shaft even though the clutch is disengaged. It's not often that those fail and could be related to internal wear in your transmission. Better pull that and start a closer investigation of the bushing/clutch and transmission.

Aaagghh! At 73 and without the proper facilities to do that kind of work, I am beyond the days of pulling transmissions but have feared this would be required. Also my mechanic buddy just had his shoulder operated on and a tumor removed and will not be wrenching again for several months. I was hoping and praying for a response from you folks with a simple solution.

Sorry that it's not a simple solution type fix. Perhaps you could post in the North Eastern Bolters forum to see if there might be anyone able to offer some assistance. You might just find one or more Bolters near you that might be able to help you out.

There's a sneaky trick that I use, being 79 years old and with a bum shoulder. Open both doors, roll the windows down, and put an 8 foot 4X4 post through the windows. With the floorboard removed and a short piece of chain bolted to the top of the transmission, use a cable come-along to lower the trans to the floor, and jack it back up into place after doing any needed trans and/or clutch repairs.
Jerry

Certainly there's a shop near you that will work on manual transmissions. If you can't find a regular auto shop, you might try looking in industrial areas where they work on heavy equipment or places that fix farm equipment.

I would take the floor cover off then the top of the transmission to have a look see .It may be something with the shifter ,my 54 would grind going into first unless I put it in neutral first as it turned out there was a part on the inside that was broken off can’t remember what the part was called but at least by taking the top off you could inspect quite a bit before having to take the tranny out.