The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area Engine Shop Broken Shifter Fork

Well, I got a problem. :confused: As you may know, the truck is a 1946 1-1/2 ton 216, transmission is a standard 4-speed forward one reverse with the reverse lockout lever and roda

I broke a shifter fork in the gearbox the other day. :mad: Shifted from reverse into (what I thought) was second gear, but turned out to be granny low, and the transmission would not shift out of granny to anything else. Hmmmmm, the shifter lever in the cab seems to work fine but she's stuck in granny low, and placing the shifter lever in third or fourth position results in total transmission lockup.

Took out the floorboard, removed top off transmission, and low and behold the shifter fork on the center shaft is broke off.

Now I've never worked on a transmission before, so I'm looking for expert advise from transmission gurus.

Here's the questions:

Should I go for replacing the shifter fork, or replace the whole transmission?

If I replace the shifter fork, how do I insure that I get all three of the shifter forks in the right place in relation to the gears on the shafts when I put the buzzard back together?

Just looking at the gears and all, I don't see an wear or rounding of the teeth -- heck, the truck only has a little over 70 thousand miles on the tranny and driveline -- I would say it is barely broke in.

I would appreciate your input. I also sent this to the Big Bolts fellers (you know, the ones hoggin' the middle of the garage!)

Now here's yer chance. Everyone who gives me a good idea gets a ride in the '46. And if you are close by and want to come help, well, then you get to drive the truck as well! How's that!

Now bein' as I am the Moderator of the Big Bolts, if you can give me some good pointers here in the Engine and Driveline Shop, I will let you stop in the Big Bolts area anytime.

Why you can even tell me 'zackly what you think of my truck, and I won't even get mad!

Glenn,

Here are a few unprofessional observations..because you have a '46 and you mention the reverse lockout lever, I am guessing it is the early non-synchro transmission. This isn't the SM420..I do not know what it is!

You indicate the guts look fine, so why not just fix what's broken..no sense going nuts!

Their are probably 10 guys on this site with a box full of parts for this transmission. When you reinstall the top, I think all you need to do is select any gear with the shifter, making sure the forks are in the detents, then merely put the top back on, matching the sliders to the forks.

These instructions only have a 1 hour warranty, so I hope those gurus show up pronto.

Stuart

no guru here, so my warranty's no better, but I've had the one on my 46 open once! not close enuff to get a ride either, but maybe some moral support will help

I'd just replace what's defective, making sure any small bits that might have migrated to the bottom get cleaned out, and slap'er back together - Keith has helpfully posted the manual w/ the 4spd section starting here , so you can get a hint of how things fit up

if you replace the broken fork it won't be hard to just put the top back on w/ 2 bolts and see if it shifts ok - if it does, there's no other problems, if it don't, not much wasted effort!

Bill

G A F
In MHO
Dont know your trans as good as a 420/465 but,
I,m with Stu and Bill on this,
Just change out the fork an put her back together and give it a whirl.
At worst its the time to change out the fork and you gotta do that anyway and its part of the tower assembly that you already got off.
When putting the top back on,I usually put the tower in Neutral.
Then slide the gears with a big screwdriver to the neutral position to match.
If a gear wont slide try taking the pressure off the drive line by jacking up a wheel.
Then reach down and move the drive shaft back and forth.
Let us know how ya make out there Cowboy
Regards

I would get a whole trans. top & put it on. Someone will have to tear one down to get get the fork so you might as well use the whole thing. The can be a little tricky changing the fork.

I agree Wrenchbender,but how available is a whole 46 tower.
If Glenn can find an entire unit,That would be the way to go.
If not,the fork should be available.
Anybody out there ?

I have new old stock forks and other parts if you are going to fix it.

What I,m Talkin Bout,Dang is this place Grand or what, Thanks chevyb
Send Glenn a pm or email cause I dont wanna upset the Stovebolt Gods

Only one question remains..what is the official name of the transmission in this thread. It doesn't appear to be a SM420, or a M-22. Is it a Muncie or a Saginaw or a Choctaw or a PawPaw..what is it?


Stuart

Thanks for all the help.

'Course I could have considered the option of taking the cab off, replacing same with a F***D cab and just pushin' it around for awhile, but I like all y'all's ideas better!

Bill, thanks for the link.

Glenn, it's not bad enough to get that desparate. I'd hate to see y'all work up a sweat pushing around a ford.

It's been a long time since I had the top off a 4 speed, but they weren't too bad to get things lined back up. You might have to get out the big hammer or take your hat off to scratch your head, tho.