[VITO1950]

HI
I HAVE A 51 BUICK.
MY MODLE IS 48D, 2DR SEDAN. WITH MANUAL XMISSION (3 0N THE COLUMN).
THE TRANSMISSION BECAME DEFECTIVE.
2ND GEAR GRINDS. SO I GO FROM 1ST TO 3RD.
I BELONG TO THE NT'L BUICK CLUB AND THE L.I. BUICK CLUB.
I LIVE IN BROOKLYN NY.
IS THERE A SHOP OR PERSON WHO CAN WORK ON THIS?
OR WHERE CAN I BUY A REBUILT TRANSMISSION FOR THIS CAR?
I'LL TAKE IT THE SHOP THAT CAN DO THE REPLACEMENT.
THANKS VITO

[Straight eight]

You can still shift first to second if you double clutch. That is, start in first, shift to neutral, and let out the clutch, push it in again and gently shift into second. This works from second to third also.
It is the syncronizers that wear out. They are like little brakes in the trans to slow the gears down. If you have put a very slippery grease in the transmission it will cause this problem, or if you have not changed the transmission grease in the past year, it would be good to get the straight SAE 90 weight, class 3 gear lube. Drain out what you have and replace it. You should notice a diiference the way the transmission sounds in first and second, and the way it sounds idling in neutral with the clutch pedal all the way out.
Let us know how you make out.

[VITO1950]

THREAD,
THANK YOU FOR THIS INFO. SOUNDS GOOD. I'LL TRY THIS ASAP AND I'LL LET YOU KNOW RESULTS. VITO1950

[sean1997]

Here is something on ebay:

1954-1955 BUICK SPECIAL 3 SPEED MANUAL TRANSMISSION NOS:eBay Motors (item 300353076862 end time Oct-04-09 12:46:53 PDT)

Not sure if it is an exact interchange. You might have to switch out the main drive gear and tailshaft.

[VITO1950]

SEAN,
THANKS. I'LL NEED TO DO SOME RESEARCH ON INTERCHANGE.
VITO (BCA # 39597)

[VITO1950]

IN REPLY TO THE MESSAGE .
"If you have put a very slippery grease in the transmission it will cause this problem, or if you have not changed the transmission grease in the past year, it would be good to get the straight SAE 90 weight, class 3 gear lube. Drain out what you have and replace it."
WOULD IT BE A GOOD IDEA TO FLUSH THIS TRANSMISSION AFTER DRAINING?
IF SO, WHAT SHOULD I USE?
KEEP IN MIND TRANNY IS STILL MOUNTED IN THE CAR.
THX VITO

[Straight eight]

Flush with 10 weight motor oil. This is according to the manual I think.

[VITO1950]

STRAIGHT 8,
THANKS FOR YOUR ADVICE.
THERE WAS AN IMPROVEMENT LESS NOISY, BUT I THINK IT'S TOO LATE.
I SHOULD HAVE DONE THIS WHEN I FIRST BOUGHT THIS CAR ABOUT 7 YRS AGO.
TOO FAR GONE NOW. I WOULD NEED THIS ONE REBUILT OR A REPLACEMENT TO SWAP-OUT.
RE: 1951 BUICK SPECIAL 3 SPD STD TRANSMISSION. I WAS TOLD A 52 IS INTERCHANGABLE WITH 51'.
THX VITO

[Gary_N]

Vito, I thought I replied to you but can't seem to find it. Anyway, the Hollander manual says you can you '48 - 52 Special and Super Transmissions and '53 Special transmissions. There seems to be a difference from first jobs and later jobs. If you want part number let me know.

Gary

[VITO1950]

HI GARY,
THANKS FOR THIS INFO. IT'S VERY HELPFUL. IT'LL BROADEN MY OPTIONS TO FIND A GOOD USED OR REBUILT 3 SPD STD XTRANNY. IF YOU KNOW OF ANY....?
PS. I'M ALSO A MEMBER OF THE NTL BUICK AND DESOTO CLUB.
VITO