The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop 3spd tranny help!! please!

Hi all,
I'm looking for some help with a 3spd tranny. My truck is a '53, but it's got the later 3 on the tree w/open drive line.
The darn tranny always slips out of 3rd gear. I'm looking for a diagram on these things (on the web preferably), and maybe some insite as to what needs to be replaced. BTW, adjusting the linkage hasn't made any difference. Thanks alot for any help!!!
-alfie

alfie , when you get your trans. apart , check the thrust washers for wear , check the needle roller cluster in the input shaft , check the spring that is wound round the syncro hub , check syncro dogs , check layshaft brgs .
The box often jumps out of gear cause things are all worn a bit . the layshaft location is really important .

Next please ,

When it jumps out of 3rd gear it because the 3rd. gear and the sliding gear that slides over the 3rd. gear are worn. About the only thing to do is replace them.

Sounds like brass syncros are history. However you can play with the adjustment on those shifting linkages for ever.

I know you guys have a lot more experiance than me, however I do remember the same problem on my 53 Suburban. I was driving down 5 with no money in my pockets, I just got out of the service and had everything I owned in the back. The transmission kept on popping out of third gear. I tied it down with a rope and held on with all of my might for about 200 miles before I gave up. I replaced the transmission with snow on the ground and 22 degrees. It wasn't until I got home and took apart the transmission that I found the problem. The side plate cover was worn really bad. I replaced the cover and that fixed the problem. Another cause can be the pilot bearing. Just my two cents. ......g

Alfie: check the shifting arms on the steering column for binding. Also check the bushings in the arms for wear. Check the bushings on the transmission also. If any are badly worn or binding it can give you trouble. Also check the 4 mounting bolts to the bellhousing. I have seen these loose and that can also cause the trans to pop out of gear. The trans needs to be on centerline with the crankshaft, you can shim to correct. Just a couple of thoughts on things you might check before you pull the box. You know you needed to change front u-joint anyway!!! :rolleyes:

Hi,
thanks for all the advice!
I've got the box out, I also happen to have two trannys to look at. One I can pilfer parts from, and the other is out of my truck.
I don't have a manual, does anyone know of a source on the web so that I can figure out what tolerances to look for? Nothing in my tranny looks especially worn except the big giant gear that slides up and down. It has wear on the front most teeth (both trannys I have look like that).

Make the $30 investment in the factory service manual, it will be the best money spent on your truck. Full of info, and will mean less posts here (even though we do like talking to you).