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Popped out of second gear!

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L

Legal Bill

Jedi Knight
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So I drove the 65 3000 BJ8 quite a bit this weekend. At one point, I was cruising around a residential neighborhood at about 15 to 20 mph in second gear. On long slow deceleration, with my foot not on the brake, the car popped out of second gear. Is this a common problem and if so, what causes it? I really don't need to lug the car down in second gear and could easily avoid this situation, but is something wearing our that needs to be replaced before more serious damage occurs?
 
Hey Bill,
Here is what Norman Nock has in his Tech Talk concerning your problem, although he referred to it as jumping out of gear when going downhill but would think it could be the same thing -

"This is the sign that the sliding hub in your transmission is worn. A quick fix, in most cases, is available. The spring load on the fork shaft needs to be increased. Remove the transmission cover and put a small, but good fitting washer between the spring and the cover. (Caution) Too many washers will bind the spring coil and will not be able to get into gear"

Maybe this will help fix your problem as I had the same thing with a BJ8 I used to own. I did have the priviledge of speaking to Norman about various issues before he passed away and still refer to his Tech Talk like the Healey bible !
Regards,
Mike
 
Hi Mike. Thanks for that tip. I'll take a look in my copy of Tech Talk. I often find Norman's book addresses the problems of earlier cars more than those of the BJ8, but maybe on this issue, there is no difference. I also wonder if it makes sense to get a new spring?
 
As part & parcel of every transmission I rebuild, I replace the selector rod detent springs (3 each)and the synchromesh sliding hub springs (6 each).

You may get lucky and replacing the selector rod springs may be enough. With a center-shift trans, you don't even have to drain the oil! Just be sure to have a top cover gasket on hand.
 
Sounds like a winter project when I might have the will to remove the console, carpet and tunnel that it took me several weeks to get installed.
 
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