Looks like I have synchro trouble fellas. The 55 has a mid-fifties 3 speed R10OD that I rebuilt (that really may be the issue here). When I took it all apart it was pretty clean in the case with no visible signs of wear. There a lot of photos on my 55 Ford Blogaroni thread. Anyway, the transmission has been shifting fine, the OD working normal, until today. The shifter wants to now pop out of second gear when I let off the gas while either the OD is engaged or not, makes no difference. Obviously this is more noticeable if the OD cable is pulled out. Once she pops out of gear, even if I let her coast with the clutch pedal pressed and try to shift back into second I hear and feel some grinding. 

Is this a synchronizer issue? I did use TSC mineral oil for the gearbox so as not to use an oil that would eat brass. Is there a possibility something else is going on? 
One thing, if I hold the gear shift in second there are no problems. Shifting UP through the gears all the way to third are not an issue either, smooth as silk. When downshifting from 3rd to 2nd normally, I do get some grinding on occasion. Has to be a synchronizer right? 

What else should I look for when I tear into the case...one more time lol.

Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

I am not a professional transmission mechanic. The best person to talk to is Van Pelt.  Here's their link  http://www.vanpeltsales.com.  This guy knows these transmissions and is easy to talk to.

The transmission you have is most likely a BW T86.  I have rebuilt a number of these transmissions over the years and I have seen the popping out of gear problem you are experiencing.  I assume you have checked the linkage?   My guess is you need to go through the tranny and replace all the detents, springs and syncros.  This should not be difficult if you have been in the transmission before.  These transmission are not that complicated.  If you don't want to do it yourself, look around town and find an older mechanic to do the job.  Back in the day these transmission were pretty common.  You could send it to Van Pelt, but it would be costly.  He has all the parts you need.

It could be a synchro, they have a machined surface with grooves on the ID, you can see machine marks, if those are missing and it's smooth it needs to be replaced. I had a similar problem after I did my T85 R11. It popped out of second when letting off, it happened several times and had me panicked and then it stopped and hasn't done it in the last few years?

I called vanpelt and talked to the man himself. Very helpful, but the prognosis is $... if I have him tear into it. I would like to fix it myself. It just means it is time to yank it out again, not fun.

But, I should have checked the synchronizers when I had it all disassembled. Those things are cheap enough that it would have been a simple thing to replace and get right. My own fault. The end play is another thing. Will have to figure a way to measure that out.

I do have another transmission I have that was removed from a good 56 that was being driven each summer by the PO. I might crack the case open, examine, and then clean the exterior and install while I go over the current trans. Both transmissions are the square cover side load jobs pretty common to 55/56 Fords.





Daniel Jessup

Lancaster, California

aka "The Hot Rod Reverend"
check out the 1955 Ford Fairlane build at www.hotrodreverend.com

Check the linkage it may not be going all the way into gear.

Dan.  My recommendation echos Florida Phil's and Lou's. 

Per your Ford Service Manual, check the transmission linkage length adjustment AND inspect the play at the ends of the rods where they connect with the transmission side cover arms AND at the column shifter arms.  IF there is enough play, add washers to eliminate slop.

Hope this helps.  


NoShortcuts
a.k.a. Charlie Brown
near Syracuse, New York