1965 Ford Mustang STUCK IN GEAR

JELLINY

MEMBER
1965 FORD MUSTANG

Transmission problem
1965 Ford Mustang 6 cyl Two Wheel Drive Manual

Hi have 65 mustang coupe, 200 6cyl, 3spd manual. The transmission used to get stuck in 1st gear periodically, now it does it everyday, multiple times. Taking off and trying to shift to 2nd it shifter moves to the neutral position but will not go any gear but 1st, and refuses to be wiggled out. Clutch is new. The only way out when it happens is to go under and manually grab the rods and yank them into other gear, then able to shift around again until the next time. Tonight I drove and noticed if instead of simultaneouly engaging clutch and shifting, I engaged the clutch a fraction sooner, shifted with a pause inbetween the gears instead of straight in, and it didn't get stuck again. Can you help me with what the problem may be and how I can fix it at home.
Thank you.

3 Replies

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi there, this sounds as if all the linkages are worn, the multiplying effect of one worn linkage moving another may be the problem, this is common in older cars, I would start with checking all the bushes and link rods for any wear and rectify as required, do this first as I feel it will be a big help to this problem.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Monday, December 14th, 2009 AT 1:28 AM

JELLINY

MEMBER
2 POSTS

Hi Mark,
thanks for your suggestion. I took out the shifter and mounting yesterday, the shaft which slides left to right was missing a spacer and getting stuck. I cleaned it, repaired it, lubed it and put back together. It moves smoothly now and the shifting rods appear to be ok but apparently that was only one of the problems. Tried driving today and found it will still often get stuck in first gear and not allow to shift. When that happens I turn it off, go under hood and reach down to where the shift rods connect to transmission and grab the forwardmost linkage where it goes in the tranny and yank it forward or sometimes push it back then yank it forward and then am able to get in the car and shift thru the gears. On the final drive today I tried clutching a few seconds ahead and waiting, then shifting which seemed to work, only binded once and I was able to work it out this time just by shifting back into 1st gear. Someone I mentioned it to said something about synchro's in the tranny, what does that do and could that be the problem? Also, the 2 little connectors going into the tranny that the shift rods connect to. One for reverse and 1st and the other for 2nd and third, what are they connected to inside the tranny, are there any bushings or something like that on them, and could they themselves cause this? I greatly appreciate all your help.

Thank You
Eric

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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 AT 12:00 AM

MHPAUTOS

MECHANIC
31,937 POSTS

Hi Eric,

The levers into the box connect directly to the shifter fork that slide the syncro hubs, this is metal to metal conection, lubed only by the gear box oil, my next suggestion was to change the oil in the box, This should help some, as it does break down and become contaminated with metal and brass from the internals of the box, try this next, failing this I feel it may be an intern problem with a selector hub assembly.

Mark (mhpautos)

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Tuesday, December 15th, 2009 AT 12:08 AM