1949 E-3 Shifter trouble

[birdydog]

After 6 months of tinkering, replacing, and hope, the 1949 E-3 fired to life today. It sounds GREAT!! Read to go. Unfortunately, I'm on to the next issue.

I can not get it into gear. The shifter moves freely, and I can feel the "slots", but no way to put it down into gear. I pulled up the boot and there is a small pin on the left side that is supposed to go into the "ball" at the base of the shift lever. I tried a little tapping, but couldn't get it to go in. I thought I better check with the experts before I try again.

Anyone have an opinion? Should I just keep working on that pin, or when that pin came out, did something fall down and now I have to take the whole assembly off to fix? Any help is appreciated.

 

[Irv B]

If the pin is coming out then it could cause that problem. It is only to keep the shifter in position, there is a snap ring that keeps shifter in the housing. Nothing should be able to fall through it all comes out the top. Now as for shifting problem I'm more incline to think the 3 shafts that the forks mount on are rusted and will not slide. I have also see the same problem with the gears if they sat in water and not oil for a long time. Take shifter off and put it in vise se if it will shift that way and make sure gears slide back and forth. Also make sure that shifter has actually not slipped out of slots and went between rails. Let me know what you find. Irv

 

[birdydog]

Thanks for the advice Irv. After I posted that yesterday, I found my shop manual. I have been studying it. I've never dug into any transmission before, so between your comments and the exploded view of the shifter tower, I am beginning to gain some insight. It may be a couple of weeks before I am able to get back out to the tractor again. Just a couple of followup questions for you.

Once I get the shifter off, I should be able to see the shafts and gears below correct? If they are working correctly, should I be able to slide them back and forth with my hands? or will I need to put a bar or something down there to move them.

I think you are correct in that it may be those shafts. When I removed that plug that is on the shifter tower housing, I could see some oil down in the case, but who knows for sure. The tractor has not run in 10 years and it was stored outside for the first 5 of those 10.

Bill Swanson

 

[Irv B]

you will be able to see alot but depends on oil level. Some gears if lined up will slide by hand but others will take a bar.

 

[birdydog]

Irv,

You are the man. Success! When I pulled the shifter tower off, the rods that the forks are on are definitely were rusted up. See attached picture. Any suggestions as to how to free them up? Thanks, Bill

 

[J.Wondergem]

Diesel fuel does a good job, if you can soak it in some.

 

[greatwest]

spray lots of releaseall or seafoam on them and use some fine emery cloth to shine them up. you can use a hose clamp to hold that pin in or you can manufacture another one out of a bolt and drill the hole in the casting larger so the bolt will press into the casting and hold the shifter firmer.... go gentle with the rusted shifter a small hammer and a block of wood just tapping could help to while apraying seafoam or pb blaster on it. good luck, also you might want to drain your tranny fluid as it likley has alot of water in it!you can save the oil by just draining till the water is all gone and oil comes out.