55 Commander with manual tranny won't shift

[RHO]

'55 Commander has been sitting for just two months but today when I fired it up today it would not shift into reverse or first, all I got was grinding gears. I tried two or three times. The rods/linkages under the hood can be moved easily, so they do not appear to be jammed and I have never had a problem with his car in shifting before after 10 years or so. Could the clutch be stuck and if so, how do I free it? Neutral is the only position I have. I did not think to pull out the OD lever to see if that would make a difference but can do that next time I'm over at the garage.

[jd-stude]

Sounds like the clutch is stuck to the flywheel. You could deactivate the igniton so it won't start, put it in gear (1st or rev) hold in the clutch, step on the brake and try to turn the car over with the starter. If not too tight it may break loose. If it was not stuck it maybe dragging due to corrosion and starting it in gear with the clutch depressed and starting out a few times may smooth it up again and eliminated dragging so you can shift it again.

Ken

[RHO]

OK, need clarification. Do you mean try to go under the hood and push the linkages to what would be first or reverse? Because I cannot get the car in anything but neutral. I cannot get it into first or reverse. I did not try holding the clutch down while starting.

[mbstude]

Put it in gear before you start it. Press the clutch and turn the key. Make sure you have LOTS of space, as the car is going to move as though you aren't pressing the clutch.

Most times, turning over the engine with it in gear, and with the clutch pressed, will free one up. Especially if it's only been sitting for 2 months. Had it happen once or twice with my '59 truck just sitting overnight!

If that doesn't free it up, put the rear end up on jack stands, chock the front wheels, put the car in 3rd gear, and start it up. Run it up to 60 MPH, press the clutch, and pull out the parking brake really fast. You'll either choke the engine down, or hear a loud BANG when the clutch frees. A couple of years ago, I was working on a '48 Land Cruiser. The car had been sitting for a few years with the clutch stuck. We tried everything we knew of, and we're getting ready to pull the tranny. I finally posted on here asking for advice. Paul Johnson said try the jack stand trick. Freed the clutch on the 3rd try.

[RHO]

I am unable to get it into gear.

[wolfie]

I am unable to get it into gear.

If it wont go into gear with the car not running start by jacking the car up getting the rear wheels off the ground so you can test everything. Then check the shift arms on the trans. Drop the linkage from the trans. I think all you need to do is pull the 2 cotter pins to free the linkage from the trans, might be a nut on the back side but dont remove the shift arms from the trans. Once you free the linkage you can make sure you are truly in neutral by centering the arms and turning the driveshaft. You will want the O/D locked out. Put the trans into gear by moving one of the shift arms. This should cause the driveshaft to lock indicating that you are in fact into a gear. Check all 4 in-gear positions while you are there (one arm always wants to be in neutral). This will eliminate it to a trans problem or a linkage/shifter problem. Since it apparantly worked 2 months ago unless the trans had water in it I am betting it is a linkage problem. Either way you now have a solid starting point for diagnosis. Steve

[RHO]

OK, we're good. I was able to move the shift linkage under the hood and get the car in first gear. Got the car started in first and then the gear shift lever broke free. Then moved the car back and forth a few times and will drive it this week.

[StudeRich]

Good for NOW, but for how long?

It sounds like it was the age old problem with 3 speed column shifters.

The Column levers were not aligned/matched with the Trans. levers when in neutral, so require adjusting and or new grommets.

Are Engine mounts front and rear all in good condition? That is common problem, as the very heavy Engine/Trans. combo settles into the frame with age, or excessive movement, all of the linkages bind or become out of adjustment.