If it goes into 1st and reverse ok it’s not the clutch. You could try some 75/
90 conventional Gl5 as that’s as thin as it gets, I know Gl5 will ruin the trans but where just testing.( I haven’t actually witnessed that)
Fore and aft on the shift adjustment will make a difference but if it goes into 4th ok I doubt it.

1964 Bill Thomas Monza Replica Racer
1964 Spyder Street Car
1998 Honda Prelude Dirt track car
1967 Crown V8 under construction
Mike Levine
Cumming Georgia
North of Atlanta

You might check the Z bar that is part of the clutch linkage. There’s a large nut on the end that used to come loose on one of my cars and affect the clutch pedal’s engagement position. I would tighten it and then the clutch would be fine for a few months. I know it’s a long shot, but at this point it might be worth a look.

What’s odd is that you can start the car in second. Can you start the car in neutral and then push in the clutch and go directly into second? If so, maybe when you try to shift from first to second, the shifter is moving from 1st to second but not back enough to fully engage second. I’m not familiar with the early shifters but I know the late ones allow some movement fore and aft. You may need to replace some of the attachments for the shifter. Again, probably a long shot, but if it is going from neutral into second with the engine running, then something on the 1st to 2nd movement isn’t right.

Thanks, I'll add these things to check to the list - this weekend will be busy

@v8vair - Fore and aft on the shift adjustment will make a difference
(gear oil maybe afterwards...)
@aircooledairhead - check the Z bar that is part of the clutch linkage.

Update: no good news - Just to be clear I am getting this same failure mode with 2 different transmissions, rebuilt 5years apart by two different guys.

These tests were after I checked clutch cable & adjustment, fluid level check, shift coupler, shift tube guide bushing and shifter ball for clearance in all gears.

Started engine - Shifted into all gears with clutch depressed and engine running - felt ok. Put into reverse - neutral - reverse - felt OK.
Drove it around a little skipping 2nd to warm it up. Then a few test runs through the gears.

Start off in 1st, try going to 2nd - NO Good. It feels like it is "blocked" from getting into 2nd gear.
Start off in 1st, (skip 2nd) hit 3rd, go to 4th, downshift to 3rd - All OK.
Start off in 2nd, hit 3rd, go to 4th, downshift to 3rd - All OK. ... try downshift to 2nd - No good.
Start off in 1st, try going to 2nd - NO Good. Started to get into 2nd then grinds.

Hmmm - maybe I should find a good 4spd that someone out there has so I can install and be able to drive a bit while sorting out this illogical logic

Send me a PM if you have a 4spd I can get my hands on.

That does sound like a syncro dog problem as was mentioned earlier. Now that would be strange to have 2 different transmissions with the same problem at the same time. I would take the trans that is not in the car now, apart and check out the 1st/2nd syncro assy. I had the syncro dogs break in the 3rd/4th syncro and when you went for 4th it was like hitting a brick wall. It just wouldn't even try to go in no matter how hard you pulled on the shifter.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon

If it shifts into second running while sitting still I don't see how it can be a dog problem.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...

It might take some time to get to the bottom of this issue but once it is resolved, I will most certainly update this thread with the resolution.
Thank you all for the suggestions.

Just because they were rebuilt 4 or 5 years ago doesn’t mean 2 gear couldn’t go bad in both gear boxes,if it grinds going into 2nd but none of the other gears you have a bad 2nd gear
Your gonna drive your self nuts trying to adjust out a bad 2nd gear.

1964 Bill Thomas Monza Replica Racer
1964 Spyder Street Car
1998 Honda Prelude Dirt track car
1967 Crown V8 under construction
Mike Levine
Cumming Georgia
North of Atlanta

Any more progress on this trans problem? I'm interested on what it could be.

I'm looking forward to the next installment as well.

Crawford

C.A. Rose
Metairie, LA
1962 Spyders

What is the condition of the transmission mounts? Worn out mounts will allow movement while rolling and cause shift tube alignment/ binding problems? PO states the issue occurs while car is moving. Worth checking.

Craig T
Central NY
1961 Tramp (truck with a ramp)

Not quite done yet but after getting #1 transmission shipped to Crawford for re-inspection, it was “the second gear is worn out”. it came back late yesterday with a NOS second gear installed.
Now the powerpack is out and #2 transmission has been removed. This “also rebuilt” unit will be making its way to bayou country for re-inspection as well. We shall see if #2 transmission has the same problem.

#1 transmission should be installed and set for test drive this weekend. Update will be posted to confirm. Transmission mounts look good.

Ken

I decided to order another nos second gear from Clark’s for my stash in case it’s needed. If you are rebuilding a transmission, it’s s good idea to replace second gear. It gets the most use under load.

Crawford

C.A. Rose
Metairie, LA
1962 Spyders

It also gets the most abuse of any gear in the trans.

RJ tools
Salem,Oregon

History of the clutch ??

Bob C aka Dryenko
Dobson, NC 27017

I hope the diagnosis is correct but I'm failing to see how a bad 2nd gear would let you shift to it running at a stop but not while driving.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...

The mainshaft isn’t spinning when your at a stop ,there’s no load on the spinning gear so it’s easy to mesh

1964 Bill Thomas Monza Replica Racer
1964 Spyder Street Car
1998 Honda Prelude Dirt track car
1967 Crown V8 under construction
Mike Levine
Cumming Georgia
North of Atlanta



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 05/19/2023 01:49PM by v8vair.

There is never any load on it when the clutch is depressed.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...

Cone was worn. Blocker ring was not holding. It seems like a small thing but there are not many things you can assess beyond the holding friction and the fit.

C.A. Rose
Metairie, LA
1962 Spyders

That is about it but it still should have shifted. It would have had a little grinding if you didn't time it right. My car hauler's blockers are totally shot and it still shifts. You just have to time it right to keep it from grinding.
Still I'll bet you are correct and it will work now.

Joel
Northlake, TX
5 Ultravans, 145 Corvairs and counting...