Runs but wont move, tranny?

[Anonymous]

hi, I have a 66 mustang with the I6 and 3spd manual. the car was sitting for probably about 4 years before I bought it and this past weekend I got it running again. I was going to pull it out of the garage, just to straighten up and sweep under it, and when I put the car in gear and let out the clutch it shakes a bit (not badly) then stalls out, but doesnt move at all. I checked the rearend by jacking it up and the rear wheels spin freely, and if i turn the driveshaft by hand the wheels turn with no problem in both directions. Can any damage be done to the clutch/pressure plate/throwout bearing because it sat so long? I plan on rebuilding the engine but i dont really want to pull it just yet.


One other thing is that the shifter handle is loose on the mount (about 1/8" of play in it) I cannot tighten the bolts any further, so i am thinking it may be the wrong handle. Also when shifting to reverse or 2nd the shifter handle makes contact with the opening in the body, i dont think it has enough room to fully get into reverse. any ideas what could be wrong?

 

[rbohm]

8) there are supposed to be two little rubber bushings where the shifter handle bolts. they are there to reduce vibration, but when they go away, they allow the shifter handle to hang up between gears. start by replacing those bushings. you should then be able to shift into each gear. if that doesnt help, then pull the tranny and check to make sure it turns freely in all gears, and check the throwout bearing for proper operation.

 

[Anonymous]

Is it possible your linkage is binding or misadjusted and you are somehow trying to shift into two gear at once and locking down the transmission? I guess the trannsmission fluid could be kind of thick and not allowing it to shift properly.

 

[Anonymous]

there were two rubber pieces there, but they were more like o-rings than bushings... i am looking at NPDs catalog right now and they definantally need replaced.

I also just looked at my manual to see about adjusting the linkage and it was very confusing. What is the easiest way to check it?

Its hard to tell what the history of the car has been, and Im not sure how long it has been since it last run... i know the tranny has been off though because the starter dust shield was missing, I found it in a box of parts in the trunk, so its possible the linkage was messed up by someone in the past... this could also be why my shifter doesnt go all the way forward... but the shield would only give me like 1/16" more clearance and im still not sure thats enough. im gonna look at it more tomorrow when im off.
Thanks for the help!

 

[CobraSix]

Okay,

What are you local temperatures? Where are you at? If it is really cold, the gear oil in the 3 spd can keep it from shifting or moving at all. Also, you may want to try draining and refilling with new gear oil.

YOu said you checked the rear wheels, what about the fronts? It is possible your front brakes are frozen too. Also, try jacking up the rear end and rotating the driveshaft, that will rule out diffy problems.

Slade

 

[MustangSix]

On these three speeds it's sometimes possible for a maladjusted linkage to select two gears at once, usually 1st and 2nd, effectively locking upt the transmission. You need to check that both shift levers are in the neutral position, then adjust the linkage.

 

[pedal2themetal45]

HI
I'd check the shifter adjustments.
Put it in Nuteral and both levers off the collum under the hood should be in the same spot..(alined up) If not adjust by un-hooking the rod that goes to the tranny and turning the rod to aline. There should be some plastic bushing in the holes where the rod goes into the levers (the same on the tranny). Also on the tranny make sure when in N that the tranny is in N. N is the center posistion of each leaver at the tranny. with one leaver in N you should be able to push the other leaver forward or and backwards (MAYBE DO THIS FIRST TO MAKE SURE THE TRANNY IS IN NUTERAL THEN ADJUST THE SHIFT LINKAGES).
On my Comet I have to sometimes kind of wiggle it in N when shifting from 1 to 2 just to make sure it drops the other gear. (and cause its old and needs new bushings..)
HOPES THIS HELPS
Tim

 

[Anonymous]

Got it!

The linkages were binding up as a result of those bushings not being on the shifter bolts... they are like 3 bucks so ill order those. What i did today was put it up on 4 jackstands and (after getting the linkage problem worked out) start it and run in first and reverse and the wheels spin in both directions. So If i put it down again and still have a problem its obviously clutch/pressure plate related.

thanks for your help! Im sure Ill be back with more troubles soon!

 

[pedal2themetal45]

HI
Glade you got it figger out.. but now 1st and R are the same lever on the shifter and tranny.. But Being it did go both direction you are most likely OK.. Be carefull I have heard that the early 3spd's were weak.. So if you do drive it befor you put in the new bushings kind of wiggle it in N while shifting 1 to 2 just to be sure it drops 1st gear.. Oh These trannys didn't have syncros for first so when you go back into first be sure to be stoped or it will grind.
tim