'37 tranny bearing noise

jtroberg

Help! I got my '37 T to the point where the drivetrain is complete, the car runs, now I'm working on the sheetmetal. Last weekend I started her up, pulled out of the garage. Then I noticed there seems to be a lot of noise from the transmission. I push the clutch in, disengaging the transmission- noise goes away. Let the clutch out so it engages the transmission (in neutral) noise is back. I checked the gear oil, it's full, so thankfully not running dry.



Noises are hard to describe, basically it is a low hum, what I would call bearing noise, not a rumbling or rattling. It may be louder than it would be it the car was complete - I just have the tranny cover down, no carpet or insulation. The sound is loud enough that it is noticeable, but not like the tranny was coming apart. Question, is the tranny shot, or is this normal?



Fortunately I have a spare tranny - I just don't want to change it if it's unnecessary.



Thanks for your thoughts!



John

Geoff

What you need to do, with the lid off the box, is move the second gear back and forth and see if there is any end-play. If there is more than a very slight amount, (.010 - .015") then the second gear assembly has probably lost the white metal, and the thrust washers will need replacing. This is the main culprit in these transmissions.

Geoff.

hudsonsplasher1

John;

I worked on a 37 Terraplane years ago and had a problem simular to yours. Turns out the two stabelizing rods that go between the trans and the frame were out of balance. It caused to much pressure on one side of the trans, and would cause the through out bearing to make noise. I adjusted the rods evenly and the noise went away. Just a thought.

Gene.

[Deleted User]

Hi John---It has been my experience that your noise is being caused by the clutch throw out bearing. Have you lubricated the clutch at the grease fitting on the right side of the transmission, & if you have not, do not apply more than 2 short shots from your gun. More than that may cause the grease to be forced past the seal & into the clutch oil. Hope this helps.---Cliff Minard.

junkcarfann

With all due respect, I think you have it backwards...a worn throwout bearing makes noise when it is under pressure, when the clutch is depressed.:)



The OP said that the noise goes away when the clutch is depressed, which indicates that the transmission, as Geoff says, is the culprit.



You could lubricate the throwout bearing, as it could be in need, and could be worn so it is making a bit of noise, but the symptoms definitely point to the transmission as the culprit, especially because there is a weak spot in those units.

hudson1948

Since you only have the noise with the clutch engaged it could be the input bearing in the transmission. That's spinning when the clutch is engaged and the transmission is in neutral. Just a thought

jtroberg

Lots of good ideas here, thanks very much to everyone who responded. I will try them all. Unfortunately, it will be a couple of weeks before I can get to the car again - work you know- but I'll post the results once I figure it out.



Thanks again!



John

Park_W

Another sometimes useful test ... if you hear a fair bit of this noise in 1st and 2d gear (driving the car), but not in 3d, there's a good chance it's the front bearing. That bearing gets side thrust pressure when you're in 1st and 2d, and will be noisier than when you're running in 3d, with no load on the cluster gear.