VCCA Home Forums TECHNICAL - GENERAL Mechanical - Engine, Trans, etc 1940 slips out of second gear

My father just traded for a 1940 Special Deluxe 4dr sedan. He’s unable to drive it, so he asked me to take it for a spin. For the most part the car drives well. It could use a tuneup. The PO said it would slip out of second, and while driving, it does fall out of gear unless you hold the shift lever up. The car does have the vacuum shift. What should we look for first. Adjusting the shift rods? Thanks guys for your help. I’m hoping that we can make this a pleasurable car to drive.

Here is an idea for one simple test.

Disconnect the shift rods at the levers on the transmission. Wire or somehow tie them out of the way.

Manually put the transmission in second gear. Then drive the car. It will start ok in second gear if you just slip the clutch a little more than normal to get it moving.

If the transmission stays in second gear then you have a linkage problem. If it jumps out of gear you have a problem inside the transmission.