Have A Problem ?? Slave Cylinder

[Fordsforever]

I am new to this forum and thought it would be good to have contact with other Ranger Owners. Having said this, I am haveing a concern with the shifting of my transmission after a recent overhaul.
When driving, I can shift smoothly from 1st-2nd then can not seem to find or get it into 3rd/ however it goes into 4th and 5th easily. I found that while attempting to get it into 3rd gear that if I shift directly into 5th and bring it back into 3rd. it goes smoothly and will actually function (allowing me to shift through the gears easily-1st/2nd/3rd/4th/5th several times with out a glitch) and then the problem starts over again and I have to go into 5th and repeat the aformentioned sequence.
I replaced the clutch/pressure plate/throw-out / slave cylinder / refaced flywheel and new pilot bearing, changed fluid in transmission.
Has anyone experienced a similar problem, if so, what was the fix
Thank You for any help

 

[Mutant Pony]

You posted in the wrong section. Should have been in transmission. Dave will move it I'm sure.
It is clearly not the clutch as you are not having a problem with first gear. It is not a problem with the pilot bearing or input bearing as you are not having trouble with fourth. I would say that your problem is inside the transmission. 3rd gear being the first gear on the output shaft, the problem could be the bearing that is inside the input shaft. That would cause a misalignment between the two shafts causing 3rd gear to have issues.
I wouldn't suggest trying to fix it though. Just get a used trans for it. They are not hard to rebuild but, do require some special tools. If you want to try to rebuild it, get a good used trans put in your truck then tear this one apart and play with it.
The shifters do have issues, You can buy an aftermarket (Hurst) shifter for it which solves the problems.
Oh man, I missed the "Recent overhaul' part. Was the trans rebuild by a company?

 

[Fordsforever]

MUTANT Pony:
Thank you for the response. The rebuild I referred to was for the clutch only. That is something that I tackled myself. I did not mention this but the truck had been sitting for about a year before I bought it. When I drained the transmission before removal, the fluid was almost black. I am thinking about draining it again and changing it. Should I put a transmission additive in it and if so what do you suggest? I know it calls for an automatic transmission fluid.

 

[Mutant Pony]

Ok. I wasn't sure if that is what you were saying or not.
You can try changing the fluid. I would recomend Mobil 1 5w20 with 1/2 quart of lucas oil stabalizer but, I don't think it is going to help that trans. Maybe just try changing it with cheap trans fluid, catch some of the fluid coming out when it is just about empty and look at it in the bright sun. If it is really sparkly you will need a trans.