Hard Going into gears when cold
Postmaster
Joined: May 2004
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I've had my 83 since new. I had a tranny rebuild some years ago. Before the rebuild I don't believe it had much of this problem, but now I have it more. I just live with it, it isn't worth giving my money to someone who claims can fix it, but may or may not fix it. Besides, the truck is 20 years old. Maybe it's a rite of passage for getting to be a survivor.
Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 1,137
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From: Asheville, NC
My '84 with the top-shifter overdrive was always tight when cold. I changed the oil in the tranny and replaced it with synthetic, thinking that this might help. It didn't. I gave up and drove the truck for 300k. It is still going strong with its new owner.
Any chance that someone has changed the oil in the tranny and put something thicker that what Ford called for back in it?
Any chance that someone has changed the oil in the tranny and put something thicker that what Ford called for back in it?
Postmaster
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 3,441
Likes: 5
From: Muskegon, MI (home)
My 84 F150 had a lot of problems with shifting (NP435) when it was cold too, and even after it was warmed up it still shifted kind of hard. Upon replacing the clutch I discovered the input shaft bearing was shot (also throwout fork), the tranny always had a little growl and whine to it going through the gears. I picked up a rebuild kit from Bronco Graveyard and overhauled it myself, it was pretty easy. I change the oil once a year in my tranny, when I do I usually add a quart of Lucas Oil Stabilizer; this helps a with cold weather use. I would suggest adding a quart or two to your tranny with an oil change. I swear by Lucas and most mechanics I know do also, I run it in all my trucks...engines, trannies, transfer cases, differentials, power steering, everything. Lucas manufactures additives for oil, ATF, power steering fluid, and even fuel injection cleaners. It's really good stuff, it runs around 8 bucks a bottle at Advance Auto Parts...give it a try.
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Joined: Jun 2004
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From: rural area
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Posting Guru
Joined: Jul 2002
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From: East Coast
Drain the gear oil and replace with 80w 90. I put 85w 140 in mine and it became hard to shift cold, it was fine before that. I usually let it warm up a little when it's that cold anyway and it's fine.
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Joined: Oct 2005
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do u realize how thick the Lucas gets when it's cold? Get a bottle and leave it outside overnight. In the morning take the cap off and flip it upside down, it gets extremely thick. I run 1 quart lucas in my motor and last winter i went to put sum in after an oil change. When i flipped the bottle to pour it I decided not to put it in, can't be good to have something that was almost solid in there. that bottle had sat in the truck for a day or so. Just a thought, run the 80w90.
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