'54 Commander Manual Transmission Question

[Hanks 54]

Hello all,
I've got a '54 Commander 4 door with a three speed manual transmission. Everything on the car is original, I know this because my Great Grandfather bought it new and it only has 41k miles on it. But its been sitting up for about 6 or seven years and I'm learning about Stude's the old fashioned way, doing it all myself. Okay here is what I am running into right now. With the transmission in neutral, and having verified that by looking at the arms under the hood, the rear driving wheel wil only turn about two full rotations in either direction. I have tested this both with and without stepping on the clutch. When the wheel is turning, the drive shaft is also turning which indicates to me that the tranmission is still engaged. Again, I get the same result whether the clutch is being stepped on or not. When the transmission is in gear, I get no movement at all. Since I haven't got the motor running yet, I'm forced to test without it. Does anyone have any ideas on what would be causing this? The car was running fine before it was parked, so I don't believe the tranhny is shot but I don't know if there is just something stuck. I'd appreciate any ideas. The car is in Galveston County, down in LaMarque, Texas at my grandparents house.
Thanks,
Hank

Thanks
Hank and My 1954 Commander

[Flashback]

Does it have overdrive, and have you tried it in
both positions? I don't think you have a problem.
Wait til you can start it up and see.

Tex E. Grier

[Hanks 54]

Yes, I do have overdrive and it doesn't look to be engaged. My question though is, how do I move the car if I can't start it and I can't get the rear wheel to freewheel? Like I said, I'm a newbie and I'm having to learn all the tricks on my own. If I can't disengage the transmission, how can I roll the car without starting it?[?]


Thanks
Hank and My 1954 Commander

[Alan]

Disconnect the drive shaft and tie it up to the cross member that holds the shock absorbers.

[Hanks 54]

Is that the only way to freewheel the rear wheel? I guess thats my biggest question. I was confused that even engaging the clutch didn't free the rear wheel.

Thanks
Hank and My 1954 Commander

[53k]

quote:Originally posted by Hanks 54

Is that the only way to freewheel the rear wheel? I guess thats my biggest question. I was confused that even engaging the clutch didn't free the rear wheel.

The clutch could be stuck- not a major problem. Get the rear wheels off the ground with jack stands then try to start it. Be sure not to try to start it with any old gasoline that might be in the tank. If it will run, just accelerate in high gear then slam on the brakes while holding down the clutch pedal.
The driveshaft will always turn when you turn a rear wheel and the tranny is in neutral. The locking up at two turns might have something to do with the overdrive, but I don't really know about that.



Paul Johnson, Wild and Wonderful West Virginia. '64 Daytona Wagonaire, '64 Daytona convertible, '53 Commander Starliner, Museum R-4 engine, '62 Gravely Model L, '72 Gravely Model 430

[wolfie]

Reread his problem. I dont think it is trans/clutch related. Yes, the driveshaft should turn with the wheel. If you are in neutral the clutch should have no effect. Raise BOTH rear wheels and see if the wheels spin. One may spin backwards from the other but I am leaning towards something maybe brake/rear end related. Steve

STOLEN Studebaker!Ventura County ad says contact
Barry @ 805-218-3658

http://losangeles.craigslist.org/lac/cto/1544229962.html

[Hanks 54]

Actually I have both wheels jacked up and on jack stands now. The passenger side wheel spins freely with no problems. I have the drum completely off of the rear driver side wheel so that eliminates this being a brake problem. I even checked to make sure the emergency brake cabling had slack in it to eleimiate that possibility. The the hub, which the drum mounts onto on the rear driver side, only spins the two rotations in either direction. The passenger side wheel does not move at all when I am moving the driver side hub but as I said, it spins freely when I try that side.

Thanks
Hank and My 1954 Commander

[Flashback]

If it's safe to get under the car, disconnect the driveshaft
from the rear end and see what you have.

Tex E. Grier

[brngarage]

It's beginning to sound like a diffferntial problem to me.

Howard
53 Commander Starliner
56 Sky Hawk

[StudeRich]

Hank not that this is your only problem, or THE problem, but I noted that you said the drum was off and the "HUB" was still on! This means that your wheel studs are not press fitted and staked to permanently secure the hub to the drum as it should be! [:0]

StudeRich