Can't shift into 2nd when cold

Reply Subscribe

Thread Tools

Search this Thread

Nov 9, 2007 | 02:17 PM

vette blue

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

From: MONTREAL QUEBEC

Can't shift into 2nd when cold

Hi 71 350/270 Muncie m21 or m20 not sure.
When the car is cold (and it is cold up here) I can only get into 1st if I'm fully stopped. From first it won't go into 2nd but goes into 3rd and 4th. Refuses to go into 2nd unless the car is warmed up about 10 minutes. Never had this problem in the summer.

Any ideas? Thanks.

Nov 9, 2007 | 02:54 PM

The3

Racer

Joined: Apr 2006

Posts: 450

Likes: 0

From: Alexandria Va

It just might be time to add more oil and/or adjust shift linkage. Try those first.

Nov 9, 2007 | 06:09 PM

vette blue

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

From: MONTREAL QUEBEC

She's topped up with oil and shifts fine when warm ie adjustment is fine.

Nov 9, 2007 | 06:24 PM

0Paul Ruggeri

Former Vendor

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 2,482

Likes: 3

From: Carmichael ca

Sounds like too heavy gear oil. What weight oil is in it?

Paul

Nov 9, 2007 | 08:50 PM

vette blue

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

From: MONTREAL QUEBEC

I topped up with 80w-90 castrol, but i don't know what the original owner had put in it. Is it possible he put in something heavier than 80w? I don't see a drain bolt on my muncie either? Should I drain and refill with 80w-90. Do I need to siphon it out with a scavenger.

Nov 9, 2007 | 09:06 PM

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

Sounds like you have some syncro problems but you should do the 10 seconds neutral spin down test first to see if your clutch is disengaging properly.

Nov 9, 2007 | 10:00 PM

vette blue

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

From: MONTREAL QUEBEC

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWncchs

Sounds like you have some syncro problems but you should do the 10 seconds neutral spin down test first to see if your clutch is disengaging properly.

Thanks to all, I'll check it out tomorrow.

Nov 9, 2007 | 11:16 PM

0Paul Ruggeri

Former Vendor

Joined: Nov 2006

Posts: 2,482

Likes: 3

From: Carmichael ca

The oil would have to be sucked out. If it shifts OK warm, I don't think its a synchro problem. Sometimes the input shaft can stick in the pilot bushing. You'd have to pull the trans to lube the bushing.

Good Luck, Paul

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

Brett Foote

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Michael S. Palmer

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Pouria Savadkouei

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Joe Kucinski

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Joe Kucinski

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Michael S. Palmer

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Joe Kucinski

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Joe Kucinski

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Verdad Gallardo

Nov 12, 2007 | 02:39 PM

vette blue

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

From: MONTREAL QUEBEC

I did the 10 second test and it didn't grind when put in reverse.
Also when hot and engine off and foot not on clutch pedal it is not possible to shift from neutral into any gear.
If you can't figure out what it is I guess I'd better drive it down to Florida!

Nov 12, 2007 | 03:08 PM

#10

pbcanney

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 1,924

Likes: 6

Quote:

Originally Posted by vette blue

from my personal experience, it sounds like one of 2 things.

1. adjust the clutch rod

2. pilot bearing drag

Nov 12, 2007 | 06:01 PM

#11

jackson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 7,739

Likes: 630

From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

Eos

Try this:

Go to local GM dealer & buy a bottle of GM EOS (engine oil supplement).
Drain about 6 to 8 oz from manual trans.
Refill w/ EOS.

Nov 12, 2007 | 09:16 PM

#12

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackson

Try this:

Go to local GM dealer & buy a bottle of GM EOS (engine oil supplement).
Drain about 6 to 8 oz from manual trans.
Refill w/ EOS.

Does that have moly in it?

Nov 12, 2007 | 10:49 PM

#13

jackson

Le Mans Master

Joined: Sep 2001

Posts: 7,739

Likes: 630

From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina

Quote:

Originally Posted by DWncchs

Does that have moly in it?

Some molybdenum, not a great deal ... but does have lotsa other wear metals ... i.e. calcium, phosphorous, sulphur & zinc. Base' viscosity about what you'd see in 40W.

Nov 12, 2007 | 11:37 PM

#14

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by jackson

Some molybdenum, not a great deal ... but does have lotsa other wear metals ... i.e. calcium, phosphorous, sulphur & zinc. Base' viscosity about what you'd see in 40W.

Thanks.....moly seems to help the sliders

Nov 13, 2007 | 12:02 PM

#15

vette blue

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

From: MONTREAL QUEBEC

Tried adjusting clutch rod but no change still won't go into 2nd when cold.
I'll pick up a bottle of EOS tomorrow and see how that works out.
Thanks.

Nov 13, 2007 | 12:40 PM

#16

...Roger...

Race Director

Joined: May 2006

Posts: 16,528

Likes: 53

From: Dayton, Ohio

Quote:

Originally Posted by vette blue

Tried adjusting clutch rod but no change still won't go into 2nd when cold.
I'll pick up a bottle of EOS tomorrow and see how that works out.
Thanks.

Your clutch disengagement was confirmed with the 10 second spin down.When it didnt grind going into reverse from neutral thats about as good as you can get.Generally a binding pilot bushing will not pass that test so that probably is ok also.

Hope the EOS helps.I have had trans. shift easier after adding moly but dont remember if cold was an issue.I have heard that some lubricants wont allow the brass synchro to act as a brake which would mean the synchro would not be effective.I was told the moly will not interfere with the braking effect of the synchro.Maybe some others will chime in on unlike metals lubricants.

Nov 18, 2007 | 04:35 PM

#17

JBristow

Heel & Toe

Joined: Aug 2007

Posts: 20

Likes: 0

From: Toledo OH

I'm having the same problem, did you ever get yours fixed?

Nov 18, 2007 | 04:42 PM

#18

MotorHead

Race Director

Joined: Apr 2000

Posts: 17,676

Likes: 201

From: Who says "Nothing is impossible" ? I've been doing nothing for years.

Me too, mine won't even go into gear

Nov 18, 2007 | 09:12 PM

#19

vette blue

Thread Starter

Instructor

Joined: Jan 2007

Posts: 191

Likes: 1

From: MONTREAL QUEBEC

Bought the EOS and was going to drain the tranny and put it in but then my fuel pump went and now it's just too cold to work on it in the barn.
So I oil sprayed the frame and put the car away until the weather creeps up above freezing. Sorry but I'll let you know around April 1,2008.