VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND EARLIER 1929-1932 sound of clanking in gearbox

Hi.
I've a 1929 Chevy.
When I speed up on first gear, I hear the sound of clanking (dragging) that disappears when I change in second gear or I press the clutch.
The sound increases or decreases when I speed up or decelerated.
More precisely the noise is intermittent, as if some gear to take mechanics play or disengage.
With the other gears it does not make noise.
It may be the gear of the first gear that is worn out?
Sorry for the bad English.
Saluti dall'Italia

Your English is very understandable, so no need to apologize.

I do not have any ideas about what might be going on mechanically, but one thought that comes to mind is about the lubricant. Have you changed the oil in the transmission recently and are you using the correct type of oil?

My experience with 1928 transmissions is that Mobil 600W helps tremendously in quieting and smoothing out the straight-cut gears.

Best regards, Dean

If you take off the top of the transmission you can check the gears. It might be a tooth off one of the gears that contact in first gear.

Buongiorno a tutti (Good morning everyone).
Oil is ok.
I would check the gears: is it easy to do what he said Chipper?
Thank you e saluti dall'Italia

Yes it is easy. Remove the floor board over the transmission and you will see the shift lever assembly is held on with four bolts. Remove the bolts and the shift lever assembly can be pulled up. Best to have the lever in the neutral position when removing and putting back in.

Does that mean that you have 600W oil in your transmission? If not, you need to replace the oil in your transmission with the correct 600W. It may make a difference regarding the noise in your transmission.

in Italy there is not oil 600w (is it cream?)

Your transmission should use 600W and you can order it from the Filling Station in the USA. www.fillingstation.com

The 600W is not a cream but it is a heavier oil.

FYI

this is a top down view inside my 1929 Transmission
1929 Transmission Gears

Good Morning to Italy and thank you all (Rustoholic, Chipper, M006840, Yunkyard Dog and Bearsfan 315).
I have a few more questions:
1) Uses it the same oil in the gearbox and differential?
2) The gearbox oil goes in to transmission shaft and differential box or transmission shaft and differential box have another reservoir?
3) How much oil does it take?
4) If I remove the floor board over the transmission can I have problems with the gasket?
5) To finish I say to you that my gearbox have another problem.
If I drive in 2° gear for 45 or 60 seconds, the gearbox and gear schifting levers pass in neutral. To avoid this, I gotta keep my hand alwais on the gear schifting levers.
If you can, you answer me on everything.
Thank you and ... sorry for the many questions.
Saluti dall'Italia

Yes both transmission, u-joint and differential use the same 600w or similar lubricant.


Oil is added to the transmission via the plug on the side. That is where the level is checked also. If the top is removed oil can be added there as well but be sure not to over fill by checking the level at the side plug. Oil will eventually flow to the U-joint from the transmission and they will have the same level. If the U-joint is dry then add a 1/2 pint of oil through the plug on the housing. That is to keep from wear until the oil from the transmission can reach the U-joint. Oil is added separately to the differential through the plug on the back cover. That is also where the lubricant level is checked.


transmission approximately ~ 1 liter

U-joint ~ 1/4 liter

Differential ~ 2 liters


You might have a problem with the gasket if old and brittle. A new gasket can be easily made using a sheet of gasket material and a ball end hammer. Lay the gasket material on the top of the transmission opening and tap softly around the edges (both inside and outside). The hammer taps will cut the material at the edge. The bolt holes may need so additional attention from a knife or drill bit.


That problem is most often caused by wear on the pilot bearing or bushing or end of the input shaft. That allows the gears to not mesh properly and eventually wear at an angle. That results in a force pushing those gears apart. Misalignment of the transmission and engine can also cause the problem.

gaskets are pretty easy to make like JY Dog stated. I digitize mine so i have an electronic copy so if/ when i need to make another one i can print it out, trace & cut. Bought a variety pack of Fel Pro Gasket material and cut them with an X-Acto knife, I also bought a decent hole punch set that makes putting the bolts holes cake walk !!

Old Trans gasket

New Trans Gasket

That was Chipper that made the post.....not me.

alfredodemo: You might want to purchase a reprint of the 1929 Chevrolet Repair Manual if you don't already have one. There is a lot of information in the manual that will help you. You can buy a manual from the Filling Station. www.fillingstation.com

Sorry JY Dog !!
been one of those days

Or....it could be old age!

Not with Jerry, he's a youngster Dog. It was a pleasure meeting him and his wife last year and seeing a younger couple who enjoy and appreciate these old Chevys.

lol, youngster my apple pie . . .

like i tell my kids i am NOT old, just old(ER) than them :-)

Someone tell me what corresponds oil 600w in SAE or API table grade?
Saluti dall'Italia.

It is SAE 160 according to previous post on this site. Also if you search on google it may bring up post here on questions that have been discussed here before.

600W is about the same as the modern 140 to 160 weight oil.

Thank you all.
I try with this oil and let you know how it goes.
Buona notte dall'Italia

Buona sera a tutti.
Someone can tell me how to disassemble the wood floor to approach at cover gearbox?
Thank you e saluti dall'Italia

The wood floor board lifts out.

There may be wood screws holding it in or clamps. Also, Look carefully around the edge of the wood. It may have swollen up and need to be pried out of place with two straight large screw driver. Be careful not to damage the wood. Also, place protective covering for dripping oil before removing the shift.

If you are around the city of Verona, Italy there are some part suppliers near Highway E45 and A4. 4Extreme. Via Tione 47 at 37010 Pastrengo/ Promo Parts SRL, 27 Via Del Commercio- 37066/ C. R.P. SRL, Via Leonardo Da Vinci 6-37012, Bussolengo/ M&I SRL Semplificata, Via Amberto I20- 37014 Casteboruovo Del Grada (VR)

To name a few. Have you tried to see if they know of a parts source?