<VV> Sticking Blocker Rings

[Karl Haakonsen (cityhawk@pobox.com)]

I don't claim to have much knowledge with Corvair manual transmissions, or the appropriateness of using ATF in them, but thought I could offer some knowledge from my Saturn experience. 
  
Saturn S series cars use ATF in their manual transaxles.Be sure not to use higher than Dexron III as it is thinner and not appropriate for manual transmissions (for example Dexron VI is not good for manuals).  I use Amsoil Torque Drive in mine, though I understand Castrol Transynd is the functional equivalent. 
  
Karl in Boston 
  
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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