<VV> Sticking Blocker Rings

[Jim Becker]

Evidently you don't have a totally unique problem, as Smitty had the same 
and Clark's had a ready suggestion on what to do (not do) about it.  I think 
the problem is with the part, not anything you might have done wrong.  At 
this point, I would be willing to try any far-fetched attempt at fixing it 
that doesn't require taking it out.

Fluid changes:  I think either Hy-Tran or Mobil 1 are worth a try.  A third 
option came to mind, ATF.  Car manufacturers have used ATF in the past to 
"fix" an assortment of manual transmission problems.  I'm not sure which 
version of ATF I would try.  Pick one with an EP rating or ring and pinion 
problems will be next.  By the way, I believe the CORSA Tech Guide has an 
article that gives measurements to find the right place to drill a '64 
differential case for a drain plug.  The "right place" is where you can hit 
the bottom of the sump and miss the gears, bearings etc.

Another probably bad idea:  I also thought about whether the problem could 
be cured by forcing some wear of the blocker ring, maybe getting it to seat 
more evenly.  The only idea I came up with to accomplish that is to get out 
on the road and shift it into third gear a few times with the clutch 
engaged.  Even with the engine speed fairly closely matched, engaging the 
gears will put a pretty good load on the ring.  I would probably try this 
first then change the fluid.  The question is whether you decide you have 
anything to loose by trying it.

On being from Brocton:  Close but not quite.  I am originally from 
Forestville, moved away in 1975, been back for visits many times since. 
I've been to LaPorte's to pick up parts.  I believe there is/was another Jim 
Becker that actually lived in Brocton and that he was fairly close to my 
age.  I don't believe we ever met.  I could go on with other New 
York/Corvair stories, but they should probably go off-list.

Jim Becker

-----Original Message----- 
From: dennis dorogi
Sent: Wednesday, August 20, 2014 7:00 AM
To: Jim Becker ; virtualvairs at corvair.org
Subject: Re:  Sticking Blocker Rings

Thanks for the suggestion.  I hope the solution is in changing the gear oil
as that is easier than removing the turbo engine even though there is no
drain plug on the 64-65 transmissions.  And thanks to Smitty for mentioning
that he has a similiar problem.  I think he knows how difficult it is for an
nearly 80 year old to do this work on a turbo car.   Easier to shift from
second to fourth!

I didn't realize I had such a unique problem (darn).  I first noticed the
problem when I was shifting the transmission when it was out of the car.  To
lubricate everything a bit I squirted some oil (10-30wt) from my oil can and
then while manually shifting it - well, sometimes it would not shift - and
then noticed the sticking blocker rings - most of them.  I could gently pry
the blocker rings loose from their mateing cones with a small screw driver
and then the transmission would shift.  I decided the oil might be too thin
so I cleaned it out the best I could with carb cleaner and then used the
proper 85-90 oil  and that seemed to free up the blockers except for the
third gear one which would occasionly stick.  I figured it would probably be
OK when the gear oil was in splashing in the transmission. But it is really
sticking in the car.

I don't know what to do - I am tempted to put in some GL 5 Mobil one
synthetic oil - or try Jim's solution, and see what happens -  The irony is
that the blocker rings worked fine in the original transmission - why not in
the replacement one?  Did I get them mixed up.  I don't think so but this
old mind gets confused.  I sure wish I didn't change the blocker rings.

Jim:  Are you the Jim Becker from the Brocton area - how do you know about
LaPorte's in Westfield?  I am sorry for the late reply but our email server
went down immediately after posting my email.

Dennis Dorogi
Brocton NY


----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Jim Becker via VirtualVairs" <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
To: "dennis dorogi" <dfamily at fairpoint.net>; <virtualvairs at corvair.org>
Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 9:42 AM
Subject: Re: <VV> Sticking Blocker Rings


> I've never run into that problem.  This suggestion may be a terrible idea, 
> but here it is anyway.  You might try draining the transaxle oil and 
> replacing it with CaseIH Hy-Tran oil.  Hy-Tran has additives for use with 
> wet brakes thus may help the blocker ring behavior.  LaPorte in Westfield 
> should have it on hand.
>
> Does your housing have a drain plug or do you have to do it the hard way?
>
> Jim Becker
>
> -----Original Message----- 
> From: dennis dorogi via VirtualVairs
> Sent: Tuesday, August 19, 2014 8:10 AM
> To: virtualvairs at corvair.org
> Subject:  Sticking Blocker Rings
>
> I just posted this message on Corvair Center.
>
> I decided to replace the noisy transmission (pitted gears, bad bearings) 
> on the 64 Sagan Spyder that had less than 50 miles on it since I restored 
> the car. It had new Clark's blocker rings and syncro dogs.  I found 
> another transmission with good gears and replaced the countergear shaft, 
> all roller and main shaft bearings, and removed the new blocker rings and 
> syncro dogs from the original transmission and put them on the replacement 
> transmission. This was a nice looking transmission.
>
> The problem with the replacement transmission is that the third gear 
> blocker ring is sticking making shifting into third gear extremely 
> difficult (until the blocker ring frees up). The the shift is very rough 
> due to the pressure on the shifter to free the blocker ring.  There is no 
> gear clash.  I noticed this problem (sticking third gear blocking ring) 
> before I installed the transmission but had fairth that it would free up 
> in use.  Wrong!  Clark's said to just drive it, but the shift into third 
> is so rough that I am afraid somthing is going to break.  The gear oil is 
> NAPA 85-90 GL-4.
>
> Anyone else ever had this problem?  What can I do about it?  Help!!
>
> Dennis Dorogi
> Brocton, NY