Reverse does not engage everytime, seems getting worse

[Go Fleiter]

Dave, the nut pair of the linkage had worked loose, thus deteriorating the funktion more and more.
Was a matter of minutes, beacause after Your hint we looked at the linkage first!
Thanks again! Go

[David Pollock]

Synchronizing is only on second and high in this particular transmission. That was typical until the mid 60s.  Fading synchronization is often made worse by the use of Hypoid Gear lubricant which seems too slippery  to allow the cone clutches to do their job well.  There was a discussion about this in this forum several years ago.  Transmissions of the 60s use ATF oil but I have not tried it in the earlier units as there is no front seal (as there is on the later units) to prevent the oil from working its way along the input shaft and into the clutch. Another writer claimed Sae 30 engine oil worked well.

[Go Fleiter]

Yes, it is really funny! I was really convinced that the first gear had a synchro. I thought, shifting back from second into first was easyer when transmission was freshly rebuilt. Nothing lost in translation - memory seems to have failed.... Maybe it was not 1 or 2 years until fading sync, but only weeks - until I realised?. Funny!
Thanks! Go

[FourDoor]

It's funny you should say that David I thought the same thing. I think his 2 faults are related some how. Loose steering tube causing disruption in the 3-on-the-tree shifting pattern?
Go also says his syncro faded after 2 or 3 years. As Tod and Mopardave said there was no syncro in 1st until the middle 60s. What's does he mean? Something lost in translation?
   I can remember the ads for the different makers stating you didn't have to stop to put it in 1st anymore. My 68 Chev had 3-on-the-tree and it had syncro in 1st. A first for any car I had owned up til then.     

[Go Fleiter]

Thanks to all,

  as the trans makes no noise at all, I too hope for a little adjustment problem. Just didn?t have an idea where to search.

Thanks again!
Go

[David Pollock]

Your problem is simple to fix. In order to select reverse, you must pull the lever back just a little farther than when you select first gear.  There is an adjustment under the steering column with two 7/16 nuts (one is a jam nut)  Tighten this up just a little and your troubles should be over.  It is often worse when the car is facing downhill.

Have you considered this problem may be related to your steering adjustments.  If the steering mast jacket is not secured, this can affect the gear selector in just the way you describe. The jacket is held in place by a clamp at the lower end and another just under the dashboard.  dp

[mopardave]

Reverse is not synchronized and neither is first gear.  I had a similar problem with my transmission and it was a bent shift fork.  I had mine fixed when the transmission was rebuilt a few years ago.

[TodFitch]

I don't know much about your era car but my memory of the 1963 Plymouth I learned to drive on was that there were no synchronizers on first or reverse. Is that true on your car? If so, then I also remember that if the you could not shift into reverse it would help to move the lever to first then back to reverse (clutch disengaged the whole time). All this assuming, of course, that your shift linkage is in proper repair.

[Go Fleiter]

Today, visiting a US- car and Harley show in neighbour city of Neuss (for short time while 100 degr. F = 37 deg. C),
I coudn?t get the reverse in at all:
I let the cluch engage, disengage again a couple of times - it was no remedy (all the times before it helped).
No help too by trying to engage rear with moderate force while engine off a couple of times.
At the end, it engaged. Afterwards it worked a couple of times without any problem.

  Trans has been reworked 22 000 mls earlier in 2001. Had a first gear tooth broken (!) then.

I noticed that the synchronisation while shifting into first deteriorated fast (in 1 or 2 years), so I engage the clutch shortly in neutral when shifting into first. Any thing to do with the reverse? Reverse has no Synchro, doesn?t it?

any hints for the cause?

Greetings from hot D?sseldorf! Go