Transmission / Overdrive: Hard to shift from first to second.

[mlnj]

Have a 1960 LARK with standard three speed with overdrive. Most of the time I cannot shift from first to second. If I jiggle the shifter I can get it into gear. Anyone have any ideas to correct?

[mbstude]

Check your engine/transmission mounts, rubber shifter linkage grommets, and the shift rods adjustment too. More than likely, the mounts and grommets are bad and now the linkages are out of adjustment.

[JoeHall]

You did not elaborate much. Is it a six, or a V8? Does it grind when you try to shift to 2nd, or just not go into gear? If it grinds, it may be due to synchronizer rings inside the transmission. If it simply won't go into gear, it may be linkage, somewhere between the end of the shift lever in your hand, and the shift ears on the transmission.

[Skip Lackie]

To expand on above: Put the shift lever in neutral. Climb under there and have a helper move the shift lever and take note of which shift rod is R-1st and which is 2nd-3rd. Disconnect the shift rods from the levers on the side of the trans (just a cotter pin and washer on each). Are the rubber grommets okay? They should hold the rods firmly. Move the trans levers, one at a time, back and forth to confirm that they shift easily. Put them back in the middle (neutral) position. Have your helper hold the shift lever as close to the middle of the neutral position as possible. If the rods don't line up exactly with the shift levers in neutral, lengthen or shorten the rod by screwing/unscrewing the clevis and then tighten the attached nut to hold it in place. Have your helper move the shift lever into each gear. Temporarily disconnect that rod from its lever -- did the rod push/pull the trans lever fully as far as it would go? If not, there's wear in the shift mechanism.

Check the condition of the grommets on the other end of the rods, under the hood. The above is easy to do yourself and the grommets are inexpensive to replace.

[TWChamp]

If you hold the shift handle and move it in a strict H pattern, rather than sliding through in an X pattern, does it shift OK?

[jackb]

I replaced 4 engine rubber cushions last week. The rods required at least a 1 inch shortening to align correctly with the tranny levers. I still had to go underneath and adjust (strangely) the 2-3 rod 2 times to get things right. I set the shift lever by tying a string to the spoke on the steering wheel. In many years, I've never got it right the 1st time... even with the later pins to align the shift box....GL