C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

[Donald H.]

I'm done a lot of searching here and on the CF and read a lot, but I'm still having really bad grinding trying to shift into reverse.

I have adjusted the throw-out bearing to pressure plate clearance to the point that I don't think I can get it any closer without the bearing riding on the fingers.

What is strange is that when the car is first started and somewhat cool, shifting into and out of reverse or any gear is no problem. After driving for a while and the car is up to operating temperature I really have to jam it into reverse and it sill grinds. Of course if I do it forcefully and quickly then it isn't as bad.

I have tried shifting into 1st then reverse, 2nd and then reverse and through all the forward gears then reverse. Nothing seems to help.

I assume that in neutral that the gears could be spinning due to a number of things like the clutch plate riding on the flywheel or pressure plate or even a tight pilot bushing and this could cause the problem of reverse grind if I try to go directly to reverse.

What I don't understand is that if I shift into 1st or 2nd and wait a few seconds, is it possible for anything to still be spinning in the transmission?

At this point, I don't know what else to do. Is it possibly that my linkage needs adjusting? I can see out of adjustment linkage making it hard to shift into any and all gears, but not sure how it could be causing the grinding!!!


Thanks,

Don

[Ken A.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

It could be your driving style. Reverse isn't synchronized, so one first needs to shift into first and then shift into reverse. Your repeated grinding has damaged the reverse idler gear and you can either replace it or live with a little grinding.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

It could be your driving style. Reverse isn't synchronized, so one first needs to shift into first and then shift into reverse. Your repeated grinding has damaged the reverse idler gear and you can either replace it or live with a little grinding.

I have only had the car for a couple of months, so it isn't me. I do shift into first before going into reverse, but it doesn't seem to matter with this car. So I guess I will plan on a rebuild at some point in the future.

If it is a damaged reverse idler gear, does that also explain why I don't have the problem with everything is cool, but do have the grinding when everything heats up?

Thanks,

Don

[Stuart F.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

I have a 63 with a muncie. I expect that the clutch will stick when I first start after a period of sitting like a week, The car has about 46k on it and is probably in need of a new clutch, but it still holds good and shifts fine while driving. To avoid grinding, I always start up with my trans in reverse if that is where I need to go (back up) like out of my garage. Even when warm and after driving I still do this if I park somewhere. That reverse gear has very little to support it and is fragile, so I treat it well.

Stu Fox

[Domenic T.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

Don,
You first have to determine why the gears are turning when the clutch is all the way down. When the trans oil is cold it is thicker and that will slow the spinning more than with hot thinner oil.
It may be possible that the wrong throw out bearing was used and a total release is not possible, but the vette uses the shortest throw out bearing. Of the 4 gears on the cluster gear, 1st & reverse idler share the same gear.
My bet is that the clutch disc is rubbing the flywheel and is still spinning the input shaft which spins the cluster which spins the reverse idler gear.

DOM

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

Thanks all.
I'll l just plan on pulling the transmission and check it out. And, replace the clutch assembly at the same time. That will be a good project for next winter.

Don

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

I agree with Dom, it's the clutch that wore out allowing it to spin.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

Ok, my last question for now!!

Has anyone been successful with pulling a C2 (in my case 67) transmission without removing the shifter?

Is it possible to take the bolts out of the shifter bracket that bolt the bracket to the crossmember, (without removing the shifter) and move it out of the way enough to get the transmission back and down?

I help a friend replace the clutch in his 69 and the hardest part of the whole project was getting the shifter bolted back to the shifter mount bracket!!!!

Thanks,

Don

[Michael H.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

If I remember right in the owners manual or Service Manual it says always shift to second gear before going to reverse as this stops the gear from turning thus the grinding noise unless you have other problems..........

Its a lot easier to remove the trany if the shifter is out.

Mike

[Timothy B.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

Donald,

If my memory is not lying, I think when I replaced the clutch in my 67 the shifter was left in place. It's bolted to the crossmember so the rods and levers are the only thing to tie up high.

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

Don, just a question, where is the pedal release point? is it at the top of the throw? being reverse is not a sync. gear, sometimes the pedal release at the top of the throw is a easier engagement point. A pressure plate with weak fingers that is not fully disengaging will cause problems like this.

[Donald H.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

Don, just a question, where is the pedal release point? is it at the top of the throw? being reverse is not a sync. gear, sometimes the pedal release at the top of the throw is a easier engagement point. A pressure plate with weak fingers that is not fully disengaging will cause problems like this.

I have adjusted the pedal rod so that the throw-out bearing is very close to the fingers, and the pedal free travel is an inch or less. So the point of engagement of the bearing to fingers is pretty high. I don't think I can adjust the throw-out position any closer or it will be riding on the fingers.

Thanks,

Don

[Edward J.]

Re: C2 Muncie grinds trying to shift into reverse

Don, How about the shift linkage, is the adjustment on the rods correct When the shifter is in neutral, there should be a hole to stick a pin( drill bit) through to make sure everything is centered.Shop manuel should show how its done.

The only other thing I can think of is the reverse gears have a tapper to aid with engagement maybe the teeth edges ,are really ground up, or possible if the Muncie reverse gears have a bronze bushing that worn and causing the gear walk on the shaft??

I would take a look at the shifter first as its a easy inspection.