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Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:05 pm

Hi. After 9 months of getting my '65 ready for the road I was able to take it for it's first road test today. I was able to get into all gears but 4th, it would grind when trying to do so. Front bushing is in decent shape and shift coupler is new an screws are secure, I am hopping that it is only an adjustment on the shift plate. I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on which direction to move the plate so I can hopefully get it into fourth gear. Thanks

Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:11 pm

Make sure the shifter rod is vertical in neutral for starts

Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:44 pm

Can you get it in 4th when the motor is not running? If yes try loosening the plate, putting it in 4th, tightening the plate.

Sun Mar 14, 2010 8:53 pm

Aaron wrote: Can you get it in 4th when the motor is not running? If yes try loosening the plate, putting it in 4th, tightening the plate.

Hi. It feels like I can get it into fourth with the engine off, that is why I was a little shocked when it didn't go when I was driving.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 12:10 am

Move the plate forward, a little, and see what happens.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 4:33 pm

Hi. So I have tried all the adjustments that have been suggested to me with the same end result, constant grinding when trying to get into 4th gear. I don't know what else to try, if anyone knows anymore tricks, PLEASE throw them my way........... if not, does anyone know a good place to rebuild tranny's :?: :evil: :evil:

Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:32 pm

with the bus in first and the engine running with clutch pushed in does the bus move slightly forward? if so I have heard of shifting difficulties due to the synchro's still moving. Its just a thought make sure the clutch is disengaging completely at Idle and when you are shifting that you then are pushing the foot lever all the way in Is your clutch new?

Mon Mar 15, 2010 10:51 pm

When the bus is moving forward when in third gear, normally, it should go into fourth gear without even using a clutch, so I doubt that the clutch is the problem, especially since the other gears work.

Mon Mar 15, 2010 11:00 pm

I had this same problem recently... you will not like my end results, I hope you do better.
So, after doing ALL the "adjustments" and making sure the trans was full, driving it around a bit in 3rd to get things moving and still not having 4th here's what I did.
-Jacked up the rear (blocked the front). Put in 4th, clutch in, start it up, slowly let the clutch out. Grinding? In my case yes.
-Bus not running, put it in 2nd, crawl under and mark how far the hockey stick is in the nose cone (I used some tape). Then put it in what you think is 4th. It should be in as far as 2nd was). Mine was not.
- I removed the shift coupler and manually tried to get the H-stick to go in further. I wrapped a thin scrap of rubber around the stick and then put some BIG vise grips on it to move it. I could not get it to go in all the way, game over for me.
Once removed I pulled the nose cone and could still not get the selector fork to go all the way in to the 4th position.
Best of luck, I hope it ends up being something simple.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:54 am

Hi. Thanks for all the replies. Clutch is new, when in first, with the clutch pushed in, the bus stays put. Would a cracked or broken nosecone cause this problem, even though I have all gears except fourth?

Tue Mar 16, 2010 6:51 pm

I went over to check out the Bus and as far as I can tell, the 4th gear synchros are shot.

It goes into fourth if the engine is off.
You can start the Bus, put it in fourth and inch forward.
Driving around, it grinds going into fourth.

The shift pattern felt normal to me just moving it around in his driveway.

Tue Mar 16, 2010 9:53 pm

EverettB wrote: I went over to check out the Bus and as far as I can tell, the 4th gear synchros are shot.

It goes into fourth if the engine is off.
You can start the Bus, put it in fourth and inch forward.
Driving around, it grinds going into fourth.

The shift pattern felt normal to me just moving it around in his driveway.

Thanks again EverettB for coming over, I really appreciated it. I now I know what direction I need to go in, new tranny for me :shock:

Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:19 am

It inches forward on its own with the clutch depressed or you mean letting out the clutch it will move without disengaging or throwing the gearshift lever out of fourth gear? When you say it grinds at highway speed: it grinds, then goes in fourth gear, or never will go in fourth gear? Will it double clutch into fourth gear? I'm dial-up impaired so I can't see the video.

Wed Mar 17, 2010 8:23 am

Hi. It goes into fourth with the bus at a full stop and running and will inch forward. When driving it grinds when trying to get into fourth, from what I have been told that is a sncro isuue. With the clutch pushed in the bus stays stationary.

Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:16 am

Forgive me if I'm following old tracks but are you saying you are unable to even get it into fourth gear while under normal highway speeds?

Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:36 am

Hi. Yes, it will not go into fourth gear at highway speeds.

Wed Mar 17, 2010 10:26 am

What is the history of this gearbox? Did it do it suddenly, has it been building up, was the tranny recently rebuilt, is it all unknown as you just got a used one to try? Under any circumstance can you get it into fourth while cruising speeds i.e. double clutch it into fourth.

Wed Mar 17, 2010 11:53 am

Hi. I got the bus in a trade, I kind of knew it was going to be crap shoot with this tranny. I actually did try double clutching and still the GRINDDDD :oops:

Wed Mar 17, 2010 7:21 pm

So, it will select and engage when inserted from standstill with either the engine running or idling. I'll bet you that the synchronizing ring has either jammed onto the fourth gear hub or stuck to the 3-4 slider. Try this; with the engine turned off put the stick in fourth and abruptly knock it forward to neutral, without depressing the clutch. Do that a few times. Then put it fourth and roll backward with the clutch in and when it gets kinda faster let out the clutch, all with the engine off. Try that first then there are some while running and driving tricks to try and free it up.

Wed Mar 17, 2010 9:30 pm

I wonder if it could be double-clutched into 4th?