Sm465- locked out of first

[79k20350]

Alright guys here’s the run down. Did the clutch a month ago, all has been well since. Today on my way to work everything was shifting fine. When I got off the highway and came to a stop I couldn’t get it back into 1st gear. Not granny low, actual first gear.

Nothing really made a difference. Clutch in/ out, complete stop running not running etc.

Pulled the shifter and the stub was loose so I replaced the orings and pin, now that’s tight- no difference. The welds on the ball aren’t broken and are tight. The roll pins and grooves on the ball could use some work, but that doesn’t seem like what the issue is. The shifter is dropped into the correct position. As I said it was shifting fine. No unexpected noises, popping grinding etc.

2 or 3 times I was able to get it into 1st gear within a hundreds or so attempts. It moved fine and shifted out of gear into 2nd and neutral fine. But even going from 1st to neutral and trying to go right back with the truck off I couldn’t get it back to first.

Anyone have any ideas? I’d rather not have to rip it back out but looks like that’s where it’s headed

 

[Bent77]

Hmm, possibly synchro issue. Is it stuck in another gear, or actual neutral?

If you back up, will it go back in?
Probably needs R&R

 

[nvrenuf]

It definitely won't go in gear with the engine off? My first inclination is that something is up with the clutch or adjustment and it's not releasing.

 

[79k20350]

Nope not stuck in any other gear. Will shift n-2-3 fine. Goes into low fine.

I’ve tried pulling it into first and releasing the clutch with the motor running, hoping gears would mesh together but nothing.

It’s a hydro clutch so no adjustment.

I can feel that the shifter is in the ‘gate’ but it feels like it’s not opening up

 

[Bent77]

Did this truck have the removable doghouse over the trans? If so, pull the top plate off, and inspect the fork and slider, but flip the top over and look. I had one do that once, had to mess with it on the bench to sort it

 

[79k20350]

Did this truck have the removable doghouse over the trans? If so, pull the top plate off, and inspect the fork and slider, but flip the top over and look. I had one do that once, had to mess with it on the bench to sort it

That’s going to be the next step. Realistically it probably needs a rebuild, I was just hoping someone else had ran into the same issue so I’d know what I’m dealing with

 

[Chevy305]

I had a T5 that would be super hard to get it into 5th gear doing just about the same thing as you're describing. I pulled it and popped it open to find 5th gear shift fork was bent. I bent it back and replaced the plastic wear pad and then it shifted perfectly fine. I'd pull the top cover off and look at your shift forks.

 

[1-ton]

Shift fork slot could be mangled that the shifter lever rides in, or the shift fork rail could be galled. I am probably completely wrong like I am about everything. Should just ignore this like most people do, and put a new ignition coil in it...that will fix your transmission.

 

[BoondocK5]

Can it be shifted into 1st while the engine is off?
If that's the case, I would suspect syncro's.
If that makes no difference, than, more than likely its a shift fork/rail issue.

 

[tarussell]

From what all you have said and described I would start with pulling the top cover first and inspect the forks & tangs, rails etc. really well and go from there like others said up above.

 

[79k20350]

Well I pulled the cover today, along with the pto covers. Not any closer to knowing what’s wrong.

Should I be able to shift the cover through the gears off of the transmission? The shifter is essentially locked into place and won’t allow me to shift it now that I’ve removed the cover from the body of the transmission

I can’t see any visible damage outside of normal wear. I’ll put up some pics and see if anyone can spot something obvious I’m missing.

 

[Bent77]

You should be able to stick a screwdriver on there and push it into each gear. Your issue may be the top

 

[eodcoduto]

The 465 in our ‘68 won’t go into reverse or 3-4, the reverse detent came out of its bore and is blocking the shifter. See if yours has popped out and jamed things up.

 

[Big10]

The 465 in our ‘68 won’t go into reverse or 3-4, the reverse detent came out of its bore and is blocking the shifter. See if yours has popped out and jamed things up.

I was also going to suggest detent balls/springs. My son just tore his down, and I could see where a broken spring could cause this.