VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - 1945 AND NEWER 1955-1957 55 three speed

My 55 Belair is equipped with a three on the tree. It usually grinds when going into low gear with the clutch in and at a complete stop. It usually won't grind if I put it in second and then put it in low. Is there an adjustment that would cure this, or is this just the nature of the beast. I realize that there is not a synchro on 1st gear.
Sid

Kinda the nature of the beast. If all the gears are not rotating then it shouldn't grind. Even after stopping the gears can still rotate for a short while until the internal resistance stops them.

Three possible problems, idle spped too high, clutch draging causing trans gears to spin or clutch adjustment or pilot bearing dry.
Popping it in 2nd stops the geas from spinning.
Is the trans. up to the full mark with #90 gear oil?

Car is in the shop now. Will have new clutch and 4 barrel carb soon. Will check gear oil level.
Thanks,
Sid

Sid, when you get the car back, try this.

Have the engine idling, have the shifter in the neutral gate,
press the clutch all the way down, and then slowly try to go
into reverse or 1st gear. If it grinds or won't go in, my experience has been that you need to lengthen the clutch adjustment rod, as it is not traveling far enough to fully release the disc. If your pedal goes down some before you feel pressure, this will confirm this condition. This is an easy test to either confirm or eliminate a condition. Hope it helps.

Bobalouie

Thanks Bob. I'll give that a try.
Sid

Got car back last night. I can now easily drop it into low when stopped at a red light. No longer necessary to put it in 2nd first. Runs much better with 4 barrel.
Sid

Old clutch was worn. Pilot bearing had an oblong instead of round hole. Throw-out bearing was bent. New clutch operates smoothly.