The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Tranny WOES!!!

Hey Guys,
I have a new problem I really don't want to talk about, but I need to get the tranny fixed. Thinking about it makes me mad, I know you guys have had a problem on your trucks at one point that made you mad.

It started while I was in the drive thru (Jack-N-The Box). I put the truck in neutral to get the money ready for the window, then I went to put it back into first,nothing!! I then tried reverse nothing. Well I had no choice but to use second. :mad: So after I got the truck home I let the truck cool down before crawling undernieth. I went back out there this evening to check it before putting her in the garage for the night, I started the truck after find out that I had first + reverse again. Below is the normal shifting pattern, then how it was this evening when I went to check it.

When I had first + reverse again, the throw for first was an additional 4 inches forward, and for reverse was in I think the normal position?.

Normal shifting pattern

R 2
N
1 3

This evenings shifting pattern

1 2
N
R 3

After driving her around a few blocks, she got stuck in first gear. Man I have not said so many foul words since I first got the truck.
Here is the current shifting pattern when I went to put her up for the night.

0 1
0
0 0

Any suggestions on what might be wrong? I think it's the linkage, but it sounds like it might be low on oil. The last time I had checked the level it was full. Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Chevyboy62

And you have which tranny in your truck???? [img]http://www.stovebolt.com/bboard/ubb//icons/icon4.gif[/img]

Me Bad,
It is a 3 speed, was on the column now on the floor. It was this way when I got the truck. I belive it is a saginaw? I went and check the truck once more for the night, when trying to put it into first or reverse it feels like it is'nt hooked up, but it is. I'm now thinking the linkage arms are not aligned???

Chevyboy62

O.K.
Block your wheels.Crawl under the truck and disconnect the linkages at the tranny.Find the center position for each arm coming off the tranny.They will have three positions each.Once you have the arms set to center(tranny is in neutral), make sure the shifter is in Neutral position.Get the linkage rods in position so they will attach to the arms coming off the tranny without pulling on the rods or moving the shifter.
Secure the clamps which hold the linkage rods to the arms.
This SHOULD solve your problem .If not, there may be problems with the shifter assembly itself

Well after having fun trying to push the truck out of the garage w/ a broom handle in the drivers seat.(a good 10 minutes or more)

After I got the truck in the driveway, I then got her up on some stands, popped my head up under there I could not belive what I had saw. The bolt that holds the plate on side of the tranny was out enough to were I the plate was off its spline, and the bolt was barely threaded in. The two linkage arms were not aligned either, so that took a few minutes to realign. I got the bolt tightened up then had all 4 gears again!!
Thanks Mechainiac, I couldn't have done it with out your help.
Thanks again.

Chavyboy62

Glad to hear you were successful with the task.
I could not have done it without you either,afterall, you were the one under the truck and doing the physical work

I was just thinking about your shift pattern and WOES and figured that WOES stands for
What On Earth Shift-pattern

I suggest you switch out the 3 speed saginaw my 65 had it with a shift kit on the floor and I always had trouble with it.I dropped it and installed a 4 speed Muncie M20 works great!