'51 8N won't go into first or third (pic)

Royse · Jan 31, 2015

When I try to shift into first or third gear, the shifter acts as if
it has hit a wall. No grinding, it just won't move fore or aft.
All other gears work perfectly.
So I took the top off for a look. Shift rail moves easily by hand.
Detent ball is in place on bottom, spring on top.
I did find significant wear on the shift gates and the rail, but
I don't see anything that would stop it from moving.
The only thing I can think of is the pressure on the detent ball
when it is all bolted back together.
Anyone see something I missed or have another idea before I
put it back together?

Royse · Jan 31, 2015

I was just looking at John Smith's website on the 8N being
stuck in two gears (even though mine is not) and realized
my spring is all messed up. That may be it.

old · Jan 31, 2015

I had something like that happen on my 841. The old neutral safety switch that is not used any more got pushed down a little bit and I could not shift into some of the gears but could others so you might check that yours comes all the way up and does not cause that problem

Royse · Jan 31, 2015

Thanks Old, it was actually the spring.
Seems it was wrapped tight enough that it wouldn't let the shifter
move in the outermost position, but it could move in the middle.
I'll need to replace it, but for now I moved it back up where it goes.
I think I'll just replace the whole assembly. Pretty sure I have one.

old · Jan 31, 2015

Ya the first time my 841 did that I had to look many times to figure out what was going on. Back many years ago my dad had it worked on by a sort of local ford dealer and they did away with the neutral safety switch and install a push button switch for start right above the ignition switch

John Smith8N · Jan 31, 2015

(quoted from post at 20:47:51 01/31/15) Thanks Old, it was actually the spring.
Seems it was wrapped tight enough that it wouldn't let the shifter
move in the outermost position, but it could move in the middle.
I'll need to replace it, but for now I moved it back up where it goes.
I think I'll just replace the whole assembly. Pretty sure I have one.

You definitely need to replace the whole shifter assembly. That one is ALL messed up.

Royse · Jan 31, 2015

(quoted from post at 16:34:58 01/31/15)

(quoted from post at 20:47:51 01/31/15) Thanks Old, it was actually the spring.
Seems it was wrapped tight enough that it wouldn't let the shifter
move in the outermost position, but it could move in the middle.
I'll need to replace it, but for now I moved it back up where it goes.
I think I'll just replace the whole assembly. Pretty sure I have one.

Click to expand...

You definitely need to replace the whole shifter assembly. That one is ALL messed up.

That's what I thought too John. I think I have one out here.
If not, I'll be sending you an email.

'51 8N won't go into first or third (pic)

Royse

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old

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