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

When my 1934 Packard has been driven say 10 miles and is hot I have trouble engaging first or reverse gear. It crunches. I can manage by turning off engine, engaging gear and then restarting engine. If I engage 2nd gear at rest and then quickly put it in 1st or reverse it doesn’t crunch. I read somewhere using thicker gearbox oil might help. It maybe helps a bit but it’s still difficult to engage those gears. Any ideas on what is happening and what to do about fixing it?
Thanks and Happy New Year.

Are you sure the clutch is fully disengaging when the pedal is depressed? What's the pedal free play? And yes, using a heavier viscosity gear oil might be helpful but it may well just be masking a more fundamental issue. Proper gear oil viscosities are given in the owner's manual, you'll want a GL1 type.

It sounds like your clutch has a little drag in it. Adjusting the clutch pedal linkage may help.
Using a thicker lube in the transmission can also help.
I would adjust the clutch linkage to spec first, and be sure you push the pedal clear to the floor when using the clutch, and be sure that there is nothing like carpet or floor mats interfering with the pedal.
A fast idle speed can contribute to the problem you are having. Setting the idle speed to spec may help some.
If the car hasn't been driven much lately, driving it may improve the clutch action. Clutches can accumulate rust and gum if a car has been idle a while, and it doesn't take much to affect operation.

Lubricating the throw-out collar and bearing might help, also.

In hot weather or after driving a while, pausing a couple of seconds while holding the pedal to floor before putting the transmission in low or reverse may be necessary to avoid clashing.

A few cars have a clutch brake to prevent this. I don't know if yours does or not, but if it does, it may need adjustment.

Thanks for your help. I’m thinking it may be the clutch pedal not being completely disengaged. 🤞
I put some soundproofing down plus carpet which may be restricting movement. I’ll cut out the offending material and try it. I won’t be able to test it properly yet as I am in the UK and they put salt on the roads till spring. Thanks again.

Keep in mind that interference from carpet and other underlayers becomes more of a potential problem, the greater the pedal free play. With pedal free play adjusted to an inch or so, it shouldn't be necessary for the clutch pedal to even reach the carpet before fully releasing the clutch.

Sounds like a mal-adjusted linkage...however:

This may not be a 'when it's warm' issue, but both of my Junior Packards had incredibly worn shift linkage, including every part in the linkage. Every circular hole was wallowed out; every shaft had a deep groove worn into it.

Quality time with the wire feed welder, drill, grinder and files restored crisp, snappy shifting by just restoring those bits.