While it sounds like shifter to me, this will tell you if the problem is the transmission or shifter. Be sure to do the double clutching properly. If it then goes smoothly into gear, its internal to the transmission.
Can't downshift into second
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Can't downshift into second
Been driving the 66 more lately and have noticed that it will downshift from 4th to 3rd but not from 3rd to 2nd. I have to reduce speed to hit 1st from 3rd. Shifter just bumps but won't go in. Upshift from 1st to second is normal. Don't like coming into traffic with cars behind me and being in neutral. Any thoughts?
Chef AR
Chef AR
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From: Greenville, Indiana
Been driving the 66 more lately and have noticed that it will downshift from 4th to 3rd but not from 3rd to 2nd. I have to reduce speed to hit 1st from 3rd. Shifter just bumps but won't go in. Upshift from 1st to second is normal. Don't like coming into traffic with cars behind me and being in neutral. Any thoughts?
Chef AR
Chef AR
Sounds like worn brass synchro rings to me. If you see the need to downshift, either fix the transmission or learn to double clutch.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Jupiter Florida
Had the same problem with my 66
I had the same problem. One day while taking a ride It stuck into 2nd.
It was a linkage problem. Took it to a local Trans. Shop and they fixed it
for around 50$. I thought they were going to tell me I needed a new Trans. but they where honest. (Cottman)
It was a linkage problem. Took it to a local Trans. Shop and they fixed it
for around 50$. I thought they were going to tell me I needed a new Trans. but they where honest. (Cottman)
Melting Slicks
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From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Been driving the 66 more lately and have noticed that it will downshift from 4th to 3rd but not from 3rd to 2nd. I have to reduce speed to hit 1st from 3rd. Shifter just bumps but won't go in. Upshift from 1st to second is normal. Don't like coming into traffic with cars behind me and being in neutral. Any thoughts?
Chef AR
Chef AR
Assuming yours is the original Muncie. If so, it is more than likely the linkage. They get real sloppy after a while. You may have to remove the shifter, clean it up, replace worn parts and then reinstall and make sure to align the shifter arms. There should be plenty of threads on the topic of aligning the shifter here on the forum.
Steve
Melting Slicks
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From: DFW
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Brett Foote
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From: Greenville, Indiana
While you're checking the oil, make sure it's 90W gear oil like what's supposed to be in there. The wrong stuff could be causing part of your problem.
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If it's grinding when you attempt to downshift into second it's most likely a worn synchro. If it's not grinding and is just difficult to get it into second it may be poor shifter alignment, linkage binding up or a worn shifter.
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Joined: Aug 2005
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From: Central Plains
St. Jude Donor '08
I had a very similar problem with my 63 about 5 years ago. It would go into gear fine from 1st to 2nd to 3rd to 4th, but going from 3rd to 2nd it wouldn't go (not even with double clutching). It turned out to be a synchronizer that was worn and had to be replaced. Hope your problem is a simple fix and not an overhaul of the tranny.
Dave
Dave
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I drove it some more the last couple of days and the only way I can get it into second from 3rd, even double clutching, is to rev the hell out of it and it will bump in. I'll put it on my "to do" list. Thanks.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: DFW
When you go to neutral, do you release/engage the clutch before you then rev the motor? This is the only way you can unload the syncros. If it still won't go into gear, the syncros are probably bad.
Team Owner
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From: Washington Michigan
May seem like a dumb question (so I'll apologize in advance), but I am often surprised at the various techniques used that are considered double clutching.. so..
When you go to neutral, do you release/engage the clutch before you then rev the motor? This is the only way you can unload the syncros. If it still won't go into gear, the syncros are probably bad.
When you go to neutral, do you release/engage the clutch before you then rev the motor? This is the only way you can unload the syncros. If it still won't go into gear, the syncros are probably bad.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
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From: DFW
There's only one "double-clutching" technique - go into neutral, let the clutch pedal up (engaged), blip the throttle, depress the clutch pedal and shift immediately into the next lower gear; that spins up the cluster gear, which spins up the mainshaft gears to help match the speed of the engagement teeth on the gears with the teeth on the sliders if the synchros are worn.
Harry
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OK, I drove it several times this week and it was always the same. From 3rd, I push in the clutch, shift into neutral, let out the clutch, hit the gas a little, push in the clutch, and shift into second but shifter just bumps and won't go in, let out the clutch, car loses speed, push in the clutch, shift into neutral, let out the clutch, push in the clutch, shift into 1st, goes right in, let out on clutch, car slows in 1st. Whew, takes way longer to tell about it than actually do it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2004
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From: Temecula CA
Mine Only Downshifts This Way
In third, depress clutch and keep in, move shifter left through neutral, BUT then move a bit forward toward first and then rearward into second. Then let clutch out. Always works this way, never works the usual way. I'm diagnosing this as worn brass sychros. Tranny will be coming out this winter for close look-see. The shifter is a Hurst and is adjusted properly.