VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1937-1945 Transmission Problems ???

On my 1940 Town Sedan: When I pull up to a stop with the car in High Gear and the car stops, I am unable to get it out of High to shift to 1st. I have to get the car moving in High (about a car length) and then it will shift to neutral and I can get it in to 1st and get going. What I'm doing to avoid this is to down shift to 2nd when stopping or put it in neutral while still rolling before stopping. There dosen't seem to be any problem with the Vacuum unit. This leads me to think I've got a linkage or transmission problem. I don't see any problem with the linkage as best as I can tell. Anyone have any thoughts on this issue, It's really hard on the clutch when I forget to get it out High before I get stopped.

Thanks Much,

Wes Marquis

I vote for adjustment of the vacuum assist unit. The manuals give detailed instructions on how to do that.

Check the vacuum line that comes from the intake manifold, mske sure it doesn,t have a hole or split in it. If thats good get the service manual out as Ray suggests.

Wes,
Unless someone has messed with the vacuum assist linkage, I can't see how it has gotten that far out of adjustment on its own. It is probably in the vacuum line as others have pointed out.

If you have eliminated the good vacuum issue and still have the problem, jack it up and have someone (your wife maybe) go through the shifting pattern whilst you look at the mechanism. You'll probably see something out of whack.
Good luck,
Charlie

BTW: THIS IS IMPORTANT: If I had my wife do the pattern shifting for me, I would be sure to get both rear wheel well off the ground, put stout jack stands under the rear axle, and chock the front wheels in both directions. Your call.

Thanks Guys, I just reviewed your responses and the shop manual with my Vintage car Mechanic, I have an appointment tomorrow morning to put the car up on the rack, rears wheels up and start the investigation. I do have the required adjusting bushing and a new boot. The carpet is removed and the transmission cover, I think it's ready for surgery (if needed). I will keep you posted on the results.

Thanks again for your input... Very important to me.

Wes Marquis

Progress Update:

After we got the car on the rack we checked the vacuum at the vacuum canister (17 inches at idle). After removing the boot and installing the bushing we found the piston movement per the manual to be out of adjustment on the pull out stroke of the piston, we made (3) 1/2 turn adjustments, now the piston is moving according the the shop manual. Will reassemble tomorrow and test the gear operation.

Note: Just reading the manual dosen't do it, you have to see the operation to really understand what the manual is saying...

Will update after tomorrow assembly..

Wes Marquis

While its up in the air I would disconnect the rod from the 2nd and high lever and test if the lever moves freely as if shifting.

Gene,

I think you are talking about the Reactionary Lever, if so then it's been done.

Thanks

Wes Marquis

?
Charlie

Update on Transmission:

Well, we got the adjusting done, all back together and I still have the same problem, I surmise the problem is in the Transmission itself, My options seem to be limited, find a 1940 Transmission. If anyone knows of one or a different option, Please let me know.

You can post here or use my E-mail address (whmarquis@aol.com)

Thanking you in advance.

Wes Marquis

I would suggest overhauling the present transmission. Its a fairly simple transmission and the parts are readily available.

I assume that you checked the level of the gear oil.

Chevgene,

Sounds like a plan, Can you tell me a location for the parts ?

Yes, the gear oil was checked.

Wes

You can find the ad in almost any month G&D....WDFoster Also Bruce Bugay.
Most of the parts are the same from 1940-1948 and many up to 1952 and 1954.

Thanks Gene,

Thats how I will proceed.

Wes Marquis