New to the board here... I think I checked all the previous posts but haven't found an answer to my problem. For the sake of introduction, I have a 1954 Chevy 1/2T 3100 P/U, 235 engine, And it has given me 7 years of good daily service (the first two years were pure hell!!!). "She" and I are celebrating our 9th anniversary today. Yay. Now the problem: Most recently I drove it from Phoenix to Los Angeles and this is when the trouble began.
Leaked a lot of oil between Phx and LA (you can probably follow the oil slick I left behind me), and once I got to LA I noticed that 1st gear was starting to act differently. When releasing the clutch in 1st there's a lot of clutch chatter/rattle that causes the whole truck to vibrate. Also, the gear shifter has begun to jam up when shifting between 1st and 2nd. I have gone in and readjusted the transmission linkage to specs and it is still jamming up. I also took some of the extra play out of the linkage with the addition of washers and still no reduction in the jamming up. Adjusted the clitch pedal free travel as well.
I have noticed that when the problem occurs, it is because the shifter gate in the gear box is not lined up properly, and this appears to be because the detent in 1st gear seems a little weak. The shifter either does not pull the gate fully into the neutral position or it slips out. Not sure which.
Also, could my choice in grease have anything to do with it? I've been using the same type of grease in the gear box for years (a black molybdenum grease I think), replacing it as it gets forced out (any way of sealing that up too?)
I should also add that the week before I went on this journey the large pin/bolt that holds the ilnkage together fell out and the gears dropped (thankfully into third and I was able to drive carefully to my destination). I doubt that had any major effect on all this. But I thought I'd mention it anyway.
The gears have occasionally jammed up in the past, but now it's happening every time I am behind the wheel, sometimes several times during one trip. And this is LA... not a great place to be having this kind of trouble so frequently. Sorry for the long question... just wanted to give as much info as possible. Anyone have any ideas I can try?
