Tranny troubles..... 3speed - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

speesh · 06-18-2003, 01:04 PM

Help!!! I have a 71 Burb daily driver with a 3 on the tree which has been converted to floor shift. Lately it has been having problems when going into first gear. It feels like the synchros are gone, if I stop completely it will go in but it never feels quite right..... also a few times it has seemed to get stuck in between gears, wont go forward or back but then by playing with the shifter and getting it into 2nd or 3rd it will go back into first. I checked the tranny lube and had to add about 2 quarts (!!!)
Is my tranny shot? Or is it about to be? Can I change the synchros or is it a major disassembly operation? Or should I just change to an automatic now like I have been planning to do anyway? I need this fixed, it is the only vehicle we have that holds all my kids, and we want to go camping!!!!!!!

lpaine · 06-18-2003, 01:30 PM

Sounds bad, the fact that it was low on oil could be why it's hard to go into 1st, it may have overheated and done some damage. If it's still driveable, maybe just keep driving it until you get a chance to do the tranny swap. Of course it could break (murphies law!) and you and your family could be stranded, not a lot of fun. Those old trannies will take a lot of abuse though. I don't know if it's worth repairing, it might be simpler just to find a good used one. Call a local trans shop and ask them what they think. Best of luck.

ira ashley · 06-18-2003, 02:21 PM

Could be the clutch is about gone;
Does it grind between gears?

jimfulco · 06-20-2003, 04:53 PM

Sounds like the shift linkage may be getting sloppy. See if the rubber bushings on the levers under the hood are still there. Also, your clutch linkage may need adjusting if it's not completely disengaging.

mooneyes · 06-20-2003, 08:46 PM

i would also check shift linkage...i've yet to see a good floor shifter for a 3 speed

crazy longhorn · 06-20-2003, 08:54 PM

It does sound like the shift linkage is sloppy, but I prefer floor shifters. Hurst puts out some very nice shifters for the 3 spd trans. With as low(empty) as the trans was on lube, my bet is its "toast" (blue gears & bearings....aaack!) you can probaly replace that 3spd pretty cheap, i still find them from time to time for $25-50 in usable condition. Good luck,crazyL

Class of 69 · 06-20-2003, 08:58 PM

I recommend checking the shift linkage adjustment also, along with clutch adjust. Do you have any " free play " on the clutch pedal? By having trouble going into 1st gear, do mean it grinds, or binds? To adjust the shifter...remove the shift rods from the shift arms on the trans. Make sure the shift arms on the trans, and the shifter inside are both in the nuetral position. The rods should fall directly into the holes on the arms with out moving either. If they don't line up.. adjust the length of the rod at the shifter until the rod will fall into the hole. That should be true nuetral adjustment.

EdB · 06-20-2003, 09:34 PM

It sounds like you have problems in all areas.

It is not hard to change the three speed. I have had
mine out several times. They are tough. The one in
my truck is the only thing that has not been worked
on other than seals. it has at least 300 thousand
miles.

If you decide to buy a used one, specify that you need
to try it first. A little extra work is better than buying one
that is in as bad shape as the one you removed.
Since you have already changed to a floor shift, you
might want to look for a four speed. It would probably
make it more fun to drive.

Once the transmisson is out, you are right at the
clutch. It would only be a little more work to
check it out.

Just my thoughts.

EdB

jhwkns · 06-21-2003, 01:21 AM

Check this out http://www.drivetrain.com/saginaw3_4sp.html

*67Fleetsidedream* · 06-21-2003, 12:32 PM

When I had my 3 speed, it did the exact same thing for about a year. It had a noise like if the throw out bearing is going bad. It goes away when you push on the clutch pedal when in neutral and the truck is running. After shreading the teeth off 2nd gear and pulling the tranny. The whole problem was that the bearings on the main shaft were shot and that is what was causing the hard shifts and the shifter to be stuck between gears. I have a Tremec 6 speed now. Be safe and yank that tranny and get it checked out.

Ben

06-18-2003, 01:04 PM	#1
speesh Senior Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Ridgecrest, CA Posts: 318	Tranny troubles..... 3speed Help!!! I have a 71 Burb daily driver with a 3 on the tree which has been converted to floor shift. Lately it has been having problems when going into first gear. It feels like the synchros are gone, if I stop completely it will go in but it never feels quite right..... also a few times it has seemed to get stuck in between gears, wont go forward or back but then by playing with the shifter and getting it into 2nd or 3rd it will go back into first. I checked the tranny lube and had to add about 2 quarts (!!!) Is my tranny shot? Or is it about to be? Can I change the synchros or is it a major disassembly operation? Or should I just change to an automatic now like I have been planning to do anyway? I need this fixed, it is the only vehicle we have that holds all my kids, and we want to go camping!!!!!!! __________________ 57 suburban(sitting in the driveway), 2 69 C20 longbeds (sitting in the field ) and a 2003 8.1 Suburban Endeavor to persevere. "All of a sudden, I'm the old timer!" Some old timer on American Pickers.

06-18-2003, 01:30 PM	#2
lpaine Registered User Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Parksville, B.C. Canada Posts: 637	Sounds bad, the fact that it was low on oil could be why it's hard to go into 1st, it may have overheated and done some damage. If it's still driveable, maybe just keep driving it until you get a chance to do the tranny swap. Of course it could break (murphies law!) and you and your family could be stranded, not a lot of fun. Those old trannies will take a lot of abuse though. I don't know if it's worth repairing, it might be simpler just to find a good used one. Call a local trans shop and ask them what they think. Best of luck. __________________ 1969 G.M.C 3/4 Ton 920 (Canadian Version) 307 3 speed, currently apart 1998 Chevy 1/2 ton ex cab V-6 5 speed 1967 Chevy SWB - project truck; not started just yet

06-20-2003, 08:46 PM	#5
mooneyes Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Slippery Rock PA USA Posts: 1,692	i would also check shift linkage...i've yet to see a good floor shifter for a 3 speed __________________ Ken Lyons, Slippery rock pa 68 short step 327 t10 4 gear 72 2wd blazer project 70 lwb 305/700r driver 78 caprice project 02 cavalier D.D ( hate it!!)

06-20-2003, 08:54 PM	#6
crazy longhorn Fabricate till you "puke" Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: Ill Posts: 9,403	It does sound like the shift linkage is sloppy, but I prefer floor shifters. Hurst puts out some very nice shifters for the 3 spd trans. With as low(empty) as the trans was on lube, my bet is its "toast" (blue gears & bearings....aaack!) you can probaly replace that 3spd pretty cheap, i still find them from time to time for $25-50 in usable condition. Good luck,crazyL __________________ 69 longhorn,4" chop,3/5 drop, 1/2 ton suspension/disc brakes,1 1/2" body drop,steel tilt clip, 5.3/Edelbrock rpm intake/600 carb, Hooker streetrod shorties,2 1/2" exhaust/ H pipe/50's Flows , 6 spd Richmond trans,12 bolt/ 3.40 gears....

06-20-2003, 08:58 PM	#7
Class of 69 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Stillwater MN Posts: 1,166	I recommend checking the shift linkage adjustment also, along with clutch adjust. Do you have any " free play " on the clutch pedal? By having trouble going into 1st gear, do mean it grinds, or binds? To adjust the shifter...remove the shift rods from the shift arms on the trans. Make sure the shift arms on the trans, and the shifter inside are both in the nuetral position. The rods should fall directly into the holes on the arms with out moving either. If they don't line up.. adjust the length of the rod at the shifter until the rod will fall into the hole. That should be true nuetral adjustment. __________________ 69 GMC K10 ..some restoration required....still..

06-18-2003, 02:21 PM	#3
ira ashley Registered User Join Date: Feb 2000 Location: va Posts: 91	Could be the clutch is about gone; Does it grind between gears?

06-20-2003, 04:53 PM	#4
jimfulco Registered User Join Date: May 2003 Location: Shreveport LA Posts: 3,170	Sounds like the shift linkage may be getting sloppy. See if the rubber bushings on the levers under the hood are still there. Also, your clutch linkage may need adjusting if it's not completely disengaging.

06-20-2003, 09:34 PM	#8
EdB Registered User Join Date: Jan 2003 Location: Gulfport Ms Posts: 401	It sounds like you have problems in all areas. It is not hard to change the three speed. I have had mine out several times. They are tough. The one in my truck is the only thing that has not been worked on other than seals. it has at least 300 thousand miles. If you decide to buy a used one, specify that you need to try it first. A little extra work is better than buying one that is in as bad shape as the one you removed. Since you have already changed to a floor shift, you might want to look for a four speed. It would probably make it more fun to drive. Once the transmisson is out, you are right at the clutch. It would only be a little more work to check it out. Just my thoughts. EdB

06-21-2003, 01:21 AM	#9
jhwkns Registered Cruiser Join Date: May 2002 Location: Las Vegas NV Posts: 2,230	Check this out http://www.drivetrain.com/saginaw3_4sp.html __________________ I intend to live forever. So far, so good.

06-21-2003, 12:32 PM	#10
67Fleetsidedream Wiseass secured himself a BAN Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: MOON!!! Posts: 2,282	When I had my 3 speed, it did the exact same thing for about a year. It had a noise like if the throw out bearing is going bad. It goes away when you push on the clutch pedal when in neutral and the truck is running. After shreading the teeth off 2nd gear and pulling the tranny. The whole problem was that the bearings on the main shaft were shot and that is what was causing the hard shifts and the shifter to be stuck between gears. I have a Tremec 6 speed now. Be safe and yank that tranny and get it checked out. Ben



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