Deuce transmission hard to shift.

[Jons999]

1963 Studebaker m35A2. Upshifting 3rd to 4th grinds unless i double clutch. Downshifting in any gear is very difficult, i usually get denied or manage to force it in with a bit of grinding which makes the thing hard to drive in the city. I searched the forums but didnt find anything on this. My thoughts are that the synchros are worn and its time for a rebuild, which im ok with doing. I was just wondering if anyone had any luck going with a different kind of trans fluid? A few cars i had were difficult to shift and putting lighter weight synthetic gear oil in the trans fixed the problem.

 

[welldigger]

Try strait 40wt non detergent motor oil. Truth be told, sounds like you have bigger problems. Do you have a PTO?

 

[Jons999]

Yes, has a PTO. It's been like this ever since i bought it, i've put about 700 miles on the truck and it hasnt gotten worse, its just a PITA.

 

[welldigger]

Search for shimming the PTO.

 

[Jons999]

Thanks! I will check the pto backlash tomorrow. It sounds pretty unlikely that this is my problem but who knows what the previous owner took apart.

 

[welldigger]

With these trucks the only thing you can know for sure is what YOU have done to it.

 

[jwaller]

Sounds like you need a synchro. Easy job I upgraded mine with the of gears while I was at it. You won't regret it.

 

[gimpyrobb]

Spicer made the trans and spec'ed it for 10wt motor oil, not 40.

 

[shenkmen]

Spicer made the trans and spec'ed it for 10wt motor oil, not 40.

Whoa Gimpy! I hate to disagree but Spicer spec'd these 3053a transmissions for 30, 40 or 50 weight non-detergent oil.

 

[shenkmen]

Jons, I changed my trans oil to 40 weight non detergent engine oil. The shifting is easier but it did not get rid of my 3rd to 4th synchro issue. I still have to double clutch mine 3rd to 4th.

 

[welldigger]

Spicer made the trans and spec'ed it for 10wt motor oil, not 40.

Huh?

 

[gimpyrobb]

Your right, 30wt. Not sure what I was thinking there. Oh well.

 

[welldigger]

Maybe you were thinking of the Allison in the A3?

 

[Jons999]

Still havent had a chance to change my trans oil or check the pto. My alternator took a crap a few days ago so im waiting for the new one and hopefully will get a chance to wrench on it this weekend but ill be sure to keep you guys updated.