Packard Forum Index » Pre-War (1899-1942)

I'm having issue with transmission gears clashing even at a stop. I have a friend who's knowledgeable about cars and asked if the clutch has any adjustments like a a clutch brake. I'm already aware of the clutch free play adjustment.

No, there isn't a clutch brake, never seen a car that had one. If the gears clash when tryint to engage after a stop even after allowing a few seconds for them to stop spinning, probably the clutch is dragging despite the free play being seemingly OK. Heavier gear oil may help.

Dont know what trans u have

-1st gr grind is typ a bad pilot bearing or input shaft misalignment input shaft bearing or engine mains off center
-If other gears r grinding and its a synchro trans SYNCHRO ADJUSTMENT or REPLACE.

Poor response (above) on my part, Packardbarry is "on target" for the likely causes. The trans could be either a 4-speed or a 3-speed, depending on model and date of manufacture; as I recall the Light Eight and Twin Six had the new 3-speed synchro from the start of production and the others had it phased in over the production run, replacing a 4-speed.

What was the reason that they offered a 4 speed and went back to a 3 speed later on? I know the 1st gear on the 4 speed was like a granny gear making those cars perfect to turn into a tow "truck".

They really "didn't go back", the 4-speed in 32 was a new synchro unit which replaced the prior 4-speed crash box. Many folks new to those cars don't even realize it is a 4-speed and one wonders what driving experiences might have even required use of the very low 1st gear. But today 1st gear is great for just idling along in a parade at a crawl!

There is an article in one of the older PAC "Cormorant" publications (Spring, 1972) about the 32 transmission situation, the new 4-speed synchro, and the transition from 4 to 3-speed.

In 72 I was still liquid

and one wonders what driving experiences might have even required use of the very low 1st gear.

I can think of a few streets in San Francisco that might be possibilities. Even some of todays cars are better off avoiding what seems like a straight up and straight down experience.

In 72 I was still liquid

Cute! In 20 years when all of us guys who remember this trivia are looking at the grass from the underside, you'll be the oracle of the era! Do you want a copy of the article - I'll gladly mail it to you?

Duesenbergs had brake that acted on the clutch at one point.