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Transmission question

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IowaTom

Transmission question

Guys - I was running an errand this morning and on my way home, tried to downshift from fourth to third and it wouldn't go in. !!! Pulled over to the shoulder, tried 2nd and it went in fine. Still no third gear, so shifting from 2nd to 4th just to get home. Once in the garage, tried "granny" first; nuttin'! I've determined I have 2nd, 4th and reverse.

What the heck... Why all at once with no warning did my tranny break, you suppose? Wasn't hauling or pulling anything.

I'd bet having a transfer case makes it more complicated to remove, right? Oh well, it always something. :-)

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

81-F150-Explorer

Re: Transmission question

Sounds like a shifting fork problem to me.

What tranny do you have? T-18?

Truck: 1981 F-150 Explorer / Engine: 300-6 California MCU Feedback System / Trans: T-18 - 4 speed / 2.75 Ford Rear Axle Open Diff.

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

I'll go out and get under it! Stay tuned!

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

I couldn't find anything but "C" and a line of numbers. I know BW tranny's clearly mark their T designations on the older ones, but maybe you fellers would know what this monster is.

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

FuzzFace2

Re: Transmission question

Well it is 1 of 2 transmissions T18 or NP435

Before pulling the trans I would pull the top cover to give a look see as it could be a shift fork.
Just make sure the trans is in neutral before pulling the stick or cover off the trans.
Dave ----

Dave G.
81 F100 flare side 300 six / AA OD / NP435 / 2.75 gear
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1980-Ford-F100?page=1
81 F100 style side 300 six/SROD parts truck -RIP
http://cars.grantskingdom1.com/index.php/1981-Ford-F100

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

Thanks, Dave, I'll do that and report back!

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

I'm assuming I remove the bolts around the perimeter of the tranny's top?
Nice that I'm able to get to it as easily as I can!

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

Sorry...this angle is better.

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

In reply to this post by FuzzFace2

Turns out, it's a NP435.
I pulled the top cover and shortly noticed a spring that seems to have popped out of a synchro and the synchro itself is very wiggly.
The shift yokes are fine and even the plastic inserts are still there.
Ugh! I'm probably going to have to drop the trans for the fix. Mine would be a 4X4. Any clues on how to get it out?
Thanks Guys!

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

Gary Lewis

Re: Transmission question

Administrator

I don't remember the shift pattern on the NP435, but I'm guessing that the problem is just the shift linkage rather than internal to the transmission.

There's a diagnosis section in the General Manual Transmission Service document, which you can find at Documentation/Driveline/Transmissions/Manual Transmissions/General Manual Transmission Service. And there's instructions on how to remove the transmission in the page at Documentation/Driveline/Transmissions/Manual Transmissions/NP435.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

Dad's: '81 F150 Ranger XLT 4x4: Down for restomod: Full-roller "stroked 351M" w/Trick Flow heads & intake, EEC-V SEFI/E4OD/3.50 gears w/Kevlar clutches
Blue: 2015 F150 Platinum 4x4 SuperCrew wearing Blue Jeans & sporting a 3.5L EB & Max Tow
Big Blue: 1985 F250HD 4x4: 460/ZF5/3.55's, D60 w/Ox locker & 10.25 Sterling/Trutrac, Blue Top & Borgeson, & EEC-V MAF/SEFI

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

Thank you, Gary! That'll be SO helpful. I'll do my homework!

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

Gary Lewis

Re: Transmission question

Administrator

Good luck, Tom!

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

Gary - I'm beginning to think you're first guess is correct. My first gear shaft won't go through the detents. Tried using a screwdriver to force it, but she's stuck. The larger yoke moves okay but the reverse pawl also feels stuck.

Thinking I'm going to have to get this plug out -

Wonder what would keep this slider from moving, unless something's broken in two within.

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

Gary Lewis

Re: Transmission question

Administrator

Have you tried pulling the driveshaft and turning the engine a bit? Sometimes things get in a bind and you can't shift w/o relieving the bind.

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile

IowaTom

Re: Transmission question

Well, since the trouble began while driving, I kinda think something broke, snapped or unsprung. I can get two of the three shafts to slide and I'm thinking whatever's behind that plug might be the root cause of my shift troubles.

Hoping to take the top to a mechanic friend tomorrow for his opinion and will report back. Thanks again!

'85 F150 XLT 4X4 with 300 c.i. six & NP435 four speed.
'63 Studebaker Avanti - 350/TH350
'59 Rambler Super - OHV 6 with 3-speed OD
'58 Studebaker Scotsman sedan - 289 with 3-speed OD

Gary Lewis

Re: Transmission question

Administrator

Gary, AKA "Gary fellow": Profile