VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 Trans Mystery

Last year I drove my car for the first time ever. First Gear would skip a Tooth, (so I thought), up shift to second or High, (Three speed), and noise was gone. I'm thinking, no problem! Put a spare trans in and drove away. Sadly, replacement Tranny is NOISY!!! Today I opened up the original Trans and had a look. Not one Tooth is missing! So I tore it down for a complete visual and still found nothing. All comments as to what would cause this symptom are appreciated. Everything seemed to be in order as to fit but then again, I'm no expert! Thank You! Al W.

The major item that you forgot to tell us is the year of your car!

And I know better! Sorry. 1931 Al W.

Hello 67vetteal,
What type of sound did the first gear make in your original tranny? Was it a whining sound or a grinding or knocking sound? Was it constant or intermittent? When you tore down the original tranny, did you keep track and record the order of all components removed? If all the gears appear normal, look for wear and looseness with bearings/bushings and shifting guides and other shifting components. If I recall correctly, first gear is not usually selected when the vehicle is moving because of the difficulty with meshing speeds and grinding of gear teeth edges and wear imposed on the shifter mechanism. Whining sound could be from the straight cut gear teeth meshing with little that can be done for a cure, besides making sure of using the proper weight gear oil to the proper level. Tell us a little more about the sound that you're hearing. If you're able, reassemble the tranny, connect it to a drill motor to rotate the gears on the bench to try and locate the sound.

The Transmission would make a loud "Bang" as it rotated during acceleration only in Second Gear. Gave me the opinion that a Tooth was missing on a Gear. (Proper Fluid weight). I thought diagnosing was done. Not that easy. I guess I'll just replace everything I can and hope for the best! Al W.

Al,

Not being picky here, but your first post said noise came only in first gear and second post mentioned it only came in second gear?? I'm just wondering if that tranny is going all the way into first when shifted into first. Shifting forks bent or worn out?? Just a thought here and certainly don't mean to be critical of your posts.

Best to you.

Jim.

Good observation! Seeing as it has been a number of month's since problem was found I miss stated which Gear skipped in the first Post. Once I realized error I tried to edit the first Post but edit feature wasn't there. Definitely skips in second. I really thought one of the old timers on this Forum would have an answer for me but not too much offered so far. As I said, I'm just going to proceed with a total rebuild and hope that solves skipping or whatever the problem might be. Thanks for Posting! Al W.

You can only edit your post up to one hour after making the initial post.

If there is a definite clunk or thud something is wrong. It may be a high spot on a gear, shaft or bushing, bearing missing a ball or uneven wear causing gear to move forward and back. Also might have been a piece of metal or ??? that fell to bottom of case when transmission was taken apart. Did you check carefully to see if there was any loose stuff?

Yes, I checked VERY carefully looking at each possibility as I went. Do you think a Bushing could be so worn that the Gear could skip a Tooth on each revolution? At this point seeing as it is winter I'll pull the Trans that is in the car for disassembly. After cleaning and inspection I'll make a Trans from all the best parts using the Rebuilding kit from FS. I couldn't find the gaskets in the FS Catalog. Guess I'll have to make them. Thanks as always and Happy New Year. We really should finish the Carb Decal and move on with it. Al W.

Maybe you should take a look at the differential ring+pinion ?

The car drives fine with the replacement Trans. This Trans is badly worn and needs a rebuild. Thanks, Al W.