1950s 57 60 Special, hard shift

[usnfarmall]

My transmission seems normal in all gears, but when shifted from park to drive or reverse shifts extremely hard.  I was thinking that the idle rpm was too high, so I adjusted it to about 650.  Seemed to be a little better but not much.  I have read about all the post here about the transmission shifts but none relate to this specific topic.  I have checked the fluid and seems to be fine and to the correct level.  Is there any correlation between the TV shaft and this shift or does something else control this shift?  Maybe the rpms are set wrong but the manual does not clearly state the correct rpms at high idle, normal park idle and in gear idle.   

[Mike Baillargeon #15848]

My 2 cents....I have a 1953 Buick that was doing what you describe...

Turned out the motor and the transmission mounts were shot....

The motor and the tranny moving around caused great chaos with the shift linkage...

I would start by eyeballing those mounts...

Mike

[Jon S]

In addition to motor/transmission mounts it could be the driveshaft universal joints. Idle speed (hot) should be 525 RPMs.

[dn010]

Manual says RPM should be 420 on the single rochester or 520 on the dual carbs. 650 is too high. I have mine set as low as it will go without stalling, just to give my 68 year old transmission as much of a break as possible.

[usnfarmall]

Am I to assume that this is hot in gear?

[dn010]

Hot in drive. Page 10-19 if you have a manual.

[usnfarmall]

Yes I have the manual.  Thanks for all the info.

[59-in-pieces]

Steve,

How many miles does the mighty beast have on her.

Not saying this is it, but with lots of miles - or tough use - as with jack rabbit jumps from a stop - not you but in her earlier days, a trans can develop "slop" and aa speed increase the "lash' is caused by tightening up the "slop".

I'm also a fan of bad U-joints.

Have fun,
Steve B.

[usnfarmall]

The best I could tell around 96K.