Transmission Advice
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Transmission Advice
So I have an '82 F100 with a 3 speed with overdrive transmission. 2nd gear can be stubborn to get into at times. A buddy said the synchronizers are off.Do I need to do a total rebuild or is this something that can be adjusted by a shop? If it does need a total rebuild should this be the time I think about swapping it for a non-granny geared transmission. I'm not looking to race this truck. I use it to haul lumber and firewood.
Tuned
Joined: Feb 2014
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From: prineville
whoa slow down. the synchros are off?
stare here:
check gear oil level. change gear oil with new.
check firewall flex. check clutch linkage.
lotsa considerations b4 running to the shop.
could be very simple.
stare here:
check gear oil level. change gear oil with new.
check firewall flex. check clutch linkage.
lotsa considerations b4 running to the shop.
could be very simple.
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
So I have an '82 F100 with a 3 speed with overdrive transmission. 2nd gear can be stubborn to get into at times. A buddy said the synchronizers are off.Do I need to do a total rebuild or is this something that can be adjusted by a shop? If it does need a total rebuild should this be the time I think about swapping it for a non-granny geared transmission. I'm not looking to race this truck. I use it to haul lumber and firewood.
I think 82 still used clutch linkage and do check the linkage good.
Where the rod hooks to the pedal egg shape the hole, rod at the cross shaft also egg shape the hole. Cross shaft bushings on motor & frame are plastic and fall apart.
If not linkage yes do check the fire wall for flex and repair as needed with the fire wall plate.
Low oil level or wrong type can cause issues also.
If all that checks out ok then it may just be the synchronizers and no they can not be adjusted. They have to be replaced and can only be done with a full rebuild.
Good luck and let us know how you make out as it may help others.
Dave ----
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I'll check those things. I did fill the oil but didn't change it. That did improve it a bit but not much. I'll change it and see if that helps. What type oil do you guys suggest? If a rebuild is in order should I consider a different transmission?
FTE Legend
Joined: Nov 2015
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From: Angier, NC
What oil did you put in it?
The OD trany I pulled from my parts truck looked & smelled like it had W80-90 gear oil when it spilled out when I removed it.
My T18, granny first gear also uses W80-90 gear oil.
In my book it depends who's doing the work. If a shop then I would think going with the same one you have either a used one or rebuilding yours may be cheaper over a swap.
For a swap I would look into a ZF5 if you can find one, lower first gear and OD, but it uses hydrolic clutch. Because of this a pedal swap is needed and master bolted to the firewall, trany cover & cross member change out, drive shaft, etc..
Because the shop has to do this and most is labor the $$ go up fast.
Now if you where to do this swap then it is just the $$ for the parts to do the swap and may come out the about the same $$ wise.
You can start by seeing what a rebuild will run then what a ZF5 and parts goes for and go from there.
Dave ----
The OD trany I pulled from my parts truck looked & smelled like it had W80-90 gear oil when it spilled out when I removed it.
My T18, granny first gear also uses W80-90 gear oil.
If a rebuild is in order should I consider a different transmission?
For a swap I would look into a ZF5 if you can find one, lower first gear and OD, but it uses hydrolic clutch. Because of this a pedal swap is needed and master bolted to the firewall, trany cover & cross member change out, drive shaft, etc..
Because the shop has to do this and most is labor the $$ go up fast.
Now if you where to do this swap then it is just the $$ for the parts to do the swap and may come out the about the same $$ wise.
You can start by seeing what a rebuild will run then what a ZF5 and parts goes for and go from there.
Dave ----
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
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From: Black Hills of SD
3 possible different overdrive transmissions and none of them are granny gear. You can learn to drive with a worn synchro ring by matching rmps to ground speed when you shift. I doubt if it's clutch adjustment if it slides innto first or reverse ok when you are sitting still.
Personally, I would probably keep what you have unless it's the SROD, those seem to be the most troublesome. A non overdrive manual tranny wouldn't be my choice to swap to. You are basically limited to the granny gear 4 speeds which functionally are a 3 speed, and a clunky shifting farm truck transmission that you will get tired of real fast if you drive in the city much.
Personally, I would probably keep what you have unless it's the SROD, those seem to be the most troublesome. A non overdrive manual tranny wouldn't be my choice to swap to. You are basically limited to the granny gear 4 speeds which functionally are a 3 speed, and a clunky shifting farm truck transmission that you will get tired of real fast if you drive in the city much.
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I'm pretty sure I put W80-90 in. I have been matching rpms to ground speed to shift. I can get it to work that way. The clutch is going on it so I was going to take care of the transmission while its out. Thus the advice I'm asking for. I'm pretty sure it's an SROD I cant find any numbers on it so I'm not certain.
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From: Virginia
If you want to try to get as much out of the trans as you can, you could step up and put synthetic gear oil in it. While very expensive, it does help shifting and may help cover up a problem. Otherwise you need a complete rebuild.
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Ford Parts Specialist
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From: Simi Valley, CA
So I have an '82 F100 with a RUG SR-OD Single Rail 4 Speed Overdrive. 2nd gear can be stubborn to get into at times. A buddy said the synchronizers are off.Do I need to do a total rebuild or is this something that can be adjusted by a shop? If it does need a total rebuild should this be the time I think about swapping it for a non-granny geared transmission. I'm not looking to race this truck. I use it to haul lumber and firewood.
All 1984/96 F150/350 & Bronco; 1997 F250 H/D & F350 have a hydraulic clutch.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
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From: Black Hills of SD
I'm pretty sure I put W80-90 in. I have been matching rpms to ground speed to shift. I can get it to work that way. The clutch is going on it so I was going to take care of the transmission while its out. Thus the advice I'm asking for. I'm pretty sure it's an SROD I cant find any numbers on it so I'm not certain.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
My head is too full of 64 years of crap to remember everything about what fluid every transmission uses, sorry. I know my early, pre-world class T5 uses automatic transmission fluid and If I had to guess, an SROD probably does too. Google is your friend.
Post Fiend
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 8,209
Likes: 12
From: Black Hills of SD
Thanks. I knew someone had the info. I found a chart but it went by tag numbers like RUG ect. so it wasn't much help. Then there are trannys like the 435 you are supposed to change to 30 wt. motor oil in the winter.