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1968 Kaiser M35A2 shifting issues

chonaikai

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Just recently purchased a 1968 Kaiser M35A2. I can get it to go into reverse, 1st, 4th, and 5th with little to no issues. But it will not go into 2nd or 3rd. When it's shifted into either of those, I can't get it to grab or even jostle in place. I've even tried to see if I can get them to grind a bit in attempt to see if the gears are at least making contact but that was a no-go as well. I've been told to attempt to double clutch it, but still didn't work. With the other gears, I feel it lock in place and engage nicely, but when trying 2nd or 3rd, it feels as if I'm pushing against a wall (best way I can describe the feeling). Does anyone have any suggestions or ideas of what could be causing this?
 

tommys2patrick

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A visual inspection of the inside of tranny might be good. the center floorboard cover comes off with a few screws. then the top cover on the tranny itself. with engine off then try shifting gears. watch closely on the two gears in question. other tranny folks may want to try and chime in here as well. thats my two cwnts.
 

gringeltaube

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Yes, the top cover needs to come off. Then try to slide 2nd /3rd synchro back and forth, manually. You should be able to engage the clutch collar of the synchro unit into either gear, just by using both hands, no tools.
If that doesn't work and the collar is stuck in N, then most likely the two woodruff keys have sheared and the splined synchro hub spun on the mainshaft, possibly splitting open.
Next step would be pulling the whole mainshaft assembly, to disassemble, inspect and repair. Note that it can be removed with the transmission in place.
 

gringeltaube

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I would add to the already mentioned possible issues that you may have a bent shift fork - overzealous soldier A wailing on the shifter can accomplish that.
A bent shift fork would still allow engaging either 2nd or 3rd, no....?

For the record: I've worked on dozens of these transmissions, coming from all kind of environments. And I think I've seen every possible condition/ failure/ abuse....
Never found a fork that was bent - yet...
 

Mullaney

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A bent shift fork would still allow engaging either 2nd or 3rd, no....?

For the record: I've worked on dozens of these transmissions, coming from all kind of environments. And I think I've seen every possible condition/ failure/ abuse....
Never found a fork that was bent - yet...
.
You must have had a little more gentle sort of operators. Way back when, Bouligny operators could break steel balls with a rubber mallet in a sandbox. Really... Bent shift forks, Bent frames, Bent booms... Just about anything you can think of - those goobers could bend it or break it.

And then there was one foreman. His equipment was always head and shoulders above the rest. His field mechanics were better too...
 

tommys2patrick

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I had a friend who was trained at the ford factory. later He got a job at the timex factory testing watches. he was fired when they found out he could break an anvil with a rubber mallet. turns out he single handed stopped all the tickin and timex couldn't take a licken
 

chonaikai

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Idaho
Yeah, it would barely budge. Even tried using a bit of leverage to see if I could free it up a bit and it still wouldn't go anywhere. Tried both with the clutch pressed and unpressed.
 
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