ford 2000 8 speed

[ooticamitica]

I am doing a trans swap to an 8 speed on my 68 2000 and the 8 speed I got from the yard is very tough to shift, It came with no oil in the trans, I cleaned everything up inside with kero, than filled with utf and it still isn't any better. I suspected the shifter plate was culprit as it was so sloppy so I purchased a new shifter plate from this website, now Its even stiffer. I am thinking I need to take the detents out on the back of the shift rails and clean/grease with cornhead grease or pour some utf down there. Any advice would be helpful Thanks!

 

[RM-MN]

Take the shifter off and try to move the collars on the shaft to engage the different gears. These should move easily with just the tip of your finger. If they don't, try some penetrating oil on the shaft where they move and work them until they move freely.

Now look at the shifter plate itself. You'll see where the shaft the forks are on must move in the plate. Use the penetrating oil on them too until they move smoothly. The detents will make the initial movement difficult but once out of the detent the shaft should move smoothly.