Will not downshift into third

nero6

Member

Aug 30, 2007

94

0

6

Sep 7, 2008

#1

• Sep 7, 2008

• #1

I have an 87 GT with a short shifter in it and for some reason it will not downshift into third. There are no issues upshifting from 2nd to 3rd but I can't downshift from 5th or 4th. If I hold the clutch in and down shift from 4th to second and back into third it shifts smooth into third with no issues. Aslo, once I slow down to about 10km an hour it will pop into third without any issues. Could the transmission have been set up this way on purpose? to prevent an accidental 4th to third shift? The reason I ask as the gut I bought it from had plans on taking it to the dragstrip on a regular basis. Any way this can be adjusted?

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,147

17,843

224

Massachusetts

Sep 7, 2008

#2

• Sep 7, 2008

• #2

Sounds like the blocker ring for 3rd gear is wearing out. it can't slow down 3rd gear fast enough to match RPM on a downshift. You may need a rebuild to fix this.


You could try different fluids. Conventional fluids are less slick and might allow the gear to grab better and downshift

 

capri debris

Member

May 5, 2007

289

6

18

PA

Sep 7, 2008

#3

• Sep 7, 2008

• #3

Syncros or clutch cable needs to be adjusted. Adjust the cable first, it's free and easy... if that doesn't fix it, then it's time to rebuild the tranny with some fresh syncros. Good luck.

 

nero6

Member

Aug 30, 2007

94

0

6

Sep 7, 2008

#4

• Sep 7, 2008

• #4

Thanks, I will try a fluid change and a clutch cable adjustment. Is there a quick 'how to' on making the cable adjustment?

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,147

17,843

224

Massachusetts

Sep 7, 2008

#5

• Sep 7, 2008

• #5

Well, without buying aftermarket peices, grab the clutch pedal and pull up hard. Then press the pedal to the floor all the way. If you hear a click, a little bit of slack was taken up.

There are also clutch quadrant adjusters that take up some slack.

The clutch cable is known to stretch. If it's original, you may want to consider an new OEM clutch cable. Don't go aftermarket as they stretch easier than OEM

 

nero6

Member

Aug 30, 2007

94

0

6

Sep 7, 2008

#6

• Sep 7, 2008

• #6

Thanks, I will give that a try to start, however I may have figured out the issue. The transmission was rebuilt not too long ago. It was filled with ATF fluid to start but then drained and filled with gear oil I believe, whatever it is it was not ATF fluid. Hopefully the transmission is not completely @#$@ed. Is there an easy way to check that the transmission is a stock T-5?

 

Mustang5L5

That is…until I whipped out my Bissell

Mod Dude

Feb 18, 2001

43,147

17,843

224

Massachusetts

Sep 7, 2008

#7

• Sep 7, 2008

• #7

Gear oil? Ouch.

You might have to do a flush to get the oil out. SOmetimes just a drain and refill isn't enough. You might have to change it 2-3 times

 

85_SS_302_Coupe

it sucks (I know) to be on the receiving end

15 Year Member

Nov 11, 2003

6,945

1,597

223

Northern KY

Sep 7, 2008

#8

• Sep 7, 2008

• #8

Sometimes after a pass at the track mine won't go into 3rd....then after a few minutes it's fine. The other day i went out and it was HARD to get into 1st/3rd/5th, and then after 10 minutes or so it was fine again. No idea why..

 

nero6

Member

Aug 30, 2007

94

0

6

Sep 7, 2008

#9

• Sep 7, 2008

• #9

Ya, my plans are to drain it, fill it with ATF, take it for a short drive, drain it again, and fill it again with ATF.