I have a '52 f-1, manual three on the tree- Almost all of the time, when Im at a stop and shift it into first gear, it grinds- sometimes kind of bad. Going into 2nd 3rd and reverse is fine, but putting it in first is the problem. Im always at a complete stop, and a lot of the time even if I do it really slow it will grind some. Anything that might solve this besides the obvious putting a new Trans. in?

Thanks

 

Your transmission does not have synchromesh for first gear. Synchromesh is a device inside your tranny to keep the gears from grinding when you engage a gear. What you can do to minimize the gear clash is when you are approaching a stop sign, you generally put it into neutral. Instead of neutral, put it into second gear. The synchros in second will stop the gears from turning. When your vehicle is completely stopped, then put it into first. Go immidiatly from second to first. Do not hesitate in neutral go directly into first. Hold it in first 'till you are ready to leave. Let the clutch out normally and you are off.

Now if you are at a long light and do not want to wait with your foot on the clutch go ahead and put it into neutral, let your left foot rest, and when the light turns green put the clutch in and put it into second gear and then immidiatly into first and then take off.

Another thing to check is the clutch releasing fully. You should have about an inch free play at the top of the clutch pedal. You may need to adjust it.

 

Thanks Ill be driving it a little tomorrow so Ill see how that works out-

 

As long as your engine is turning the input shaft of the transmission, it will grind going down into first.

Two things I would try. First try slipping the transmission into nuetral at a stop, then push in the clutch for a few seconds before trying to slip it into first. If that doesn't work, try slipping it down to first when you are still rolling ever so slightly - like a crawl, and slip it in.

Idle RPM ok - about 650?

You may need to adjust your clutch a dash - it may be dragging a little and not completely disengaging.

The transmission is fine, they all do that. Ya gotta stop the rotation in there to get it to shift without grinding.

 

I have a 89 with a 5 speed and for some reason when it gets low on fluid 1st gear will grind because its not completely disengaging.You may check the fluid which wouldn,t take long.

 

I'd bet on the clutch dragging. With a stock clutch, the Long type, it's common for one finger to get worn differently than the other two, and the pressure plate will be a little cocked. That can let the PP drag a little. Also the pins in the linkage get sloppy, so pedal motion isn't transmitted completely to the clutch fork. Lay under there and watch while someone presses. There is also a clutch inspection plate on the top of the bellhousing, you can watch it while it's running, push in the clutch and see if the disc stops.

I wonder too what weight of oil is in the tranny? It should be 85w-140. In this weather that alone is enough drag to stop the gears mighty quick! or it could just be low, like Jack says

 

You shouldn't be grinding gears to put it into first, I would suspect either of the two reasons mentioned. Either the fluid is low or something is worn or out of adjustment.

 

Well I dont drive it every day- but was out with it today and putting it in second and then going into first- that made it so it didnt grind at all- I'll get around to checking the other things mentioned soon though-

 

Start with the easy stuff. I'll bet the old tranny hasn't had a fluid change in decade or more. Give it some fresh juice to work with and see what happens

Bobby