Guest funits Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 I have a 1953 Buick Special convertible with manual transmission. I've had it since 1997. It has always been "funny" to shift up from 1st to 2nd, and downshift from 3rd to 2nd. Over time, I find that in cold weather (below 60 degrees) I have much less trouble shifting. I have bought a "rebuilt" transmission and had it put in, but have the same trouble as my original transmission. I had the original transmission torn apart, and I have been told it needs synchro gears for 2nd and 3rd (I believe). I have not been able to find the gears anywhere. Does anyone know where I can locate the gears? My goal is to have a smooth shifting Buick, as I believe it should be. I have had all the bushing replaced in the linkages, etc.Thanks! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron65 Posted January 25, 2011 Share Posted January 25, 2011 No idea on gears, but that's a beautiful car! Wow! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
old-tank Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Just learn to double clutch and avoid the trouble and expense---your gears are good, just the synchronizers are not good.You also might try a gear oil of higher viscosity since it shifts better when cold...or add a sticky additive like STP or bar and chain oil.Willie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ted "Wildcat65" Nagel Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Dennis Maroudas606-237-6648he rebuilt my dad's '38 Cadillac trans, and found new synchronizers for it-probably has seals and so forth. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Maybe a dumb thought, but have you made sure that it has the correct fluid? If the fluid is not correct it will affect shift qualities. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Once again, old tank has some good advice. Consider it. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Who is "old tank" Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
michel88 Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 (edited) You have probably done this since you changed transmissions Could the problem be in the linkage. My 40 Roadmaster had a slight hitch going from 1st to 2nd. It was improved by adjusting the linkage, still not perfect. Edited January 26, 2011 by michel88 (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
buick5563 Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Who is "old tank"The second guy to respond to this question. Look up the page a bit... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Larry Schramm Posted January 26, 2011 Share Posted January 26, 2011 Dahaaaaa. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Aaron65 Posted January 27, 2011 Share Posted January 27, 2011 Now that you mention it, there's a lot of talk that GL-5 gear oil (which is what is usually sold) is not the best for synchronizers. If you can find some GL-4 somewhere, it may help. I bring this up at the risk of starting a zinc/non-zinc type oil riot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted January 30, 2011 Share Posted January 30, 2011 I have to double clutch or shift real slow on my 47 too. I just thought it was a carry over from my British cars that had no syncros either. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hinmon Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 I need a bellhousing for a 52 or 53 Buick stick shift. Any help Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ben Bruce aka First Born Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 56 minutes ago, Hinmon said: I need a bellhousing for a 52 or 53 Buick stick shift. Any help I have none. BUT they will work back to 1940. Ben Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 On 1/30/2011 at 4:34 PM, Bill Stoneberg said: I have to double clutch or shift real slow on my 47 too. I just thought it was a carry over from my British cars that had no syncros either. Bill, is your '47 is punishing you for your "dalliance" with Brittish cars? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bill Stoneberg Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 (edited) Marty, Dallince hell, it was a full blown obsession back when I was much younger and could bend and fit into those cars. I had everything from TR 3s to XKE s. I even worked for a while at a BL dealership. Edited July 21, 2019 by Bill Stoneberg (see edit history) 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Marty Roth Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 (edited) 8 hours ago, Bill Stoneberg said: Marty, Dallince hell, it was a full blown obsession back when I was much younger and could bend and fit into those cars. I had everything from TR 3s to XKE s. I even worked for a while at a BL dealership. Yeah, Bill, I resemble that comment: '47 MG-TC '55 TR-2 Several early and late '58 TR-3s later TR-3A, and a B '52 XK-120MC early AC ACE - attempted conversion to Chevy 283 (about the time Carrol Shelby was creating his 260ci Cobra) '59 Alfa-Romeo Giulietta Spider Veloce '58 Dauphine (Gordini-powered in 1964) too many Citroens to list, but every version from DS to SM, 2-CV, AMI-6, and Mehari Trade a headache for an upset stomache Made me appreciate USA iron😎 Edited July 21, 2019 by Marty Roth (see edit history) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted July 21, 2019 Share Posted July 21, 2019 Learn how to float the gears. Lots of you tube videos showing truckers doing it. Same idea foe any manual transmission. I had two '53 Specials in 1960, one standard and one automatic. That summer I put two clutches in the standard racing and beating Ford an Chrysler products. Figured if I could drive my '30 Pontiac without the clutch I could do the same with the Buick. Only ever used the clutch for starting from a stop. No more trouble, the standard was just as smooth as the Dynaflow. Beautiful Car you have. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
EmTee Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 Try Red Line MTL -- I put it in my '64 GP which has a T-10 four speed. I chose it because it specifically claims to be formulated to ensure smooth synchronizer operation. https://www.redlineoil.com/mtl-75w80-gl-4-gear-oil Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bloo Posted July 23, 2019 Share Posted July 23, 2019 I second the MTL, it is made for synchronized transmissions. MT-90 is the same thing but a little thicker. 75W140NS (don't forget the NS) is thicker yet, and although it is rated for Hypoid gear use, it is still made and intended (and safe) for use with synchros. I have it in my 36 Pontiac. Shifts great. Note: this thread is from 2011. The fellow who recently bumped it is looking for a 53-54 Buick stickshift bellhousing, not synchronizers or oil. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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