4speed hard shifting issue

[Brightyellow69rtse]

ok well the car shifted fine 2.5 yearsish ago when i took it apart. its all together now with a new motor   problem is its shifting like complete crap. most of the time it wont even go into gear and when it does i cant rip through the shifts like i used to. also about everytime i put it in reverse it grinds a little. it never did any of this before. the tranny was totally rebuilt back in 2000 and the mileage has been limited. only thing im comming up with that was any different was that i used redline mtl for the tranny. im tempted to drain it out and try something else just for the hell of it.  is this a totally stupid idea?  im also considering getting a new shifter mechanism as im sure this would help anyway. any ideas? thanks

[bobs66440]

What kind of shifter is it? If it's a Hurst Comp Plus, you can adjust it by moving all the trans shift levers to neutral, then adjust all the rods until the shifter plates are aligned and you can insert a 1/4"-3/16" (can't remember) allen wrench in the hole in the shifter body and through all the holes in each plate. At that point, the shifter is properly adjusted. If it still doesn't shift right, check to make sure all the rod bushings are good. Grinding going into reverse usually means a clutch problem. Either it's out of adjustment or maybe the cross shaft isn't aligned right.

I had all the problems you describe. It turned out to be a worn shifter and the cross shaft was partially broken and crooked. I installed a new shifter and fixed the cross shaft and it works like butter now. 

[A383Wing]

me thinks yer disc may be rusted to the flywheel, pressure plate or something like that....draining the fluid probably won't make any difference.....

Bryan

[resq302]

Ive had an issue where the shifter was binding.  All I had to do was spray a little white lube up in there and move it around a little and it started working like new again.

[Chryco Psycho]

I also believe it is a clutch problem , it is not fully releasing & it is dragging keeping the trans turning

[Brightyellow69rtse]

ok what should i look for on the clutch? its a new macloud (spelling) the fllywheel is also new. please dont tell me i gotta drop the tranny again

[A383Wing]

or you could pull the engine instead...

Bryan

[bobs66440]

ok what should i look for on the clutch? its a new macloud (spelling) the fllywheel is also new. please dont tell me i gotta drop the tranny again

As I mentioned, It may just be an adjustment. Especially since it's a new clutch. Check the adjustment via the pushrod connected to the clutch fork. There should be about 1" free play at the pedal (5/32" at the fork) before the throwout bearing contacts the fingers on the pressure plate. And check the cross shaft to make sure it's tight and working properly. Try the easy things first.

Also, what shifter do you have??

[myaerocars]

I would adjust the shifter as others  have mentioned AND I would strongly  think about going back to regular 85w140  or ATF lube.

On my 72 charger, I changed out the old lube  to full synthetic mobil 1 and it would barely even shift. Called a friend with a tranny shop and he told me that I had to change it. So I did and now it shifts just fine.

my 

Godspeed,
JON

[Brightyellow69rtse]

When I installed the shifter I used a cut down 1/4" drill bit in the hole to line them up and I set the other linkage in line with the others. I didn't have to adjust any of them they lined up fine so I just bolted them on.

[bobs66440]

When I installed the shifter I used a cut down 1/4" drill bit in the hole to line them up and I set the other linkage in line with the others. I didn't have to adjust any of them they lined up fine so I just bolted them on.

When you did that, were the shifter levers on the trans in neutral?

[Chryco Psycho]

I would not use ATF lube
Redline MTL or 80-90 gear oil is best

[c00nhunterjoe]

Where are you finding traditional gear oil that is gl-4? I went with the redline because that's all I could find

[Chryco Psycho]

Agricutural supply often has different spec oils

[Brightyellow69rtse]

Yes it was in neutral when I used the drill bit to line them up. What do you mean by cross shaft? I'm not sure what that is.

[Highbanked Hauler]

 IF you have a disc sticking to the flywheel remove the inspection cover from the bellhousing, have someone hold the clutch down and take a large flat screwdriver and a hammer and  tap the screwdriver tip between the disc and flywheel and it will pop free with almost no effort.  When I was up north I had to do that a couple of times to mine after it sat for a long  time..

[Brightyellow69rtse]

Good to know I'll check that out. I guess I'll have to grab the kinda hot older single lady next door to work the clutch haha

[John_Kunkel]

If the disc is stuck to the flywheel you wouldn't be able to get it into gear at all. More likely the disc is stuck on the input shaft splines and is just causing a lot of drag on the disc.

[Brightyellow69rtse]

If thats the case whats the solution?

[c00nhunterjoe]

If its seized to the shft, probably have to pull it if you can't depress the clutch and knock it loose

[c00nhunterjoe]

Agricutural supply often has different spec oils

Never thought of that. Going to have to check with tractor supply! Thanks

[elacruze]

Did you grease the input shaft bushing in the crank? Did you re-center the bellhousing on the new engine? A dragging input shaft will make hard shifts/neutrals.

[Brightyellow69rtse]

ok the disc moves freely when the clutch is depressed i can move it with one finger easily. i believe we greased the input shaft. when we put the bell housing we just lined it up on the dowels i believe and bolted it down. i used a bearing i believe for the input shaft.

[elacruze]

Here's what you should do, every time the block, dowels or bellhousing are different from what came apart;



From my engine build thread;

http://www.dodgecharger.com/forum/index.php/topic,73529.25.html

If you don't have the shaft in perfect alignment with the crankshaft, it will drag. This has nothing to do with the clutch, it's the crank/input interface.

[c00nhunterjoe]

Man, now that's dedication. Ooooo, pretty blowproof, something I should really invest in.   

[Brightyellow69rtse]

well guys i think i got it! i had my brother come down and work the clutch while i was looking at everything. i changed the adjustment on the fork right off the bat, i didnt think to check if the disc was dragging. i kept messing with it until it was it started grabbing 1 inch from the floor.  i swore i set it like that but i noticed what i thought was 1 inch with my foot wasnt one inch when i pressed the clutch in with my hand.  the disc moves freely as i can move it with a finger.  for good measure i soaked the shifter mechanism in pb blaster. i took the car out for only like 10 minutes as it was getting dark but it shifted great! im gonna take her out tomorrow and give her another coat or 2 of wax. hopefully all is well tomorrow     thank you all for the replies i really appreciate the help!

[c00nhunterjoe]

Run the crap out of it and have yu brother record video. I will be patiently awaiting the video! 

[Brightyellow69rtse]

in due time   the motor has like 20 miles on it!

[c00nhunterjoe]

Perfect time for a winding road with lots of shifting video.

[bobs66440]

Glad it's fixed. Now get out there and enjoy!