Non Packard--forgive me

Posted by Packard0 On 2013/8/9 17:49:36

One of the guys in my neighborhood has a 1941 Cadillac-I think a series 62 sedan. It's in super nice condition and I must admit it runs really nice and drives nice. I told him I'd ask here because I don't know of any Caddy forums like this one.

Anyway, he's having trouble getting it in gear once it's started. He starts it in neutral and then when he engages the clutch it will not go into reverse or 1st gear. It will go into those gears when the engine isn't running but, sometimes it doesn't even want to go with engine not running. When the engine is running it makes the grinding sound when trying to put into reverse or 1st gear. I just don't have the knowledge you guys have so I told him I'd ask. He had this trouble once before and then it just started working fine with no warning. He drove the car less than a week ago, so it doesn't sit for long periods of time.

Oh yeah, if you try to start it with it in 1st or reverse with the clutch engaged it acts like it's just in gear and you're trying to start it without engaging the clutch. Does that mean the clutch has gone out?

Thanks