Transmission woes

[Jeff73Mach1]

My 5 speed Keisler built T-45 began shifting funny a week and a half ago. I took it straight to the transmission shop that installed it. They pulled it today after they test drove it and it locked in 5th gear. Now out of the car and with the shifter removed it is still locked in 5th gear and . . . the adapter plate Keisler makes for these to fit toploader bellhousings has two of the four mounting tabs broken off.

So I am now going to have to see what my options are and I am thinking strongly about putting my toploader back into the car after it is overhauled. It will mean either swapping back to a 3.50 center carrier or not taking any trips too far out of town.

Option 2 is to have it fixer and hope that it doesn't do a repeat performance

Option 3 is to go with a TKO 500 or 600

Thoughts are appreciated. I wrote the owner of Keisler and politely described the problems and damage and hope to get a reply by Monday.

 

[Wolverine]

Your engine is missing the toploader.

 

[71_badmach]

Roy, TNFastbk, has a thread on using an American Powertrain hydraulic clutch setup with his toploader... They are located between Nashville and Knoxville and can help you if you decide to do something different. I'm sure they'll be at the show next weekend.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Wolverine is right, I ordered a premium road race rebuild kit from David Kee Toploaders tonight.

I'll give Keisler an opportunity, but I think 5th gear and an internal shifter, while nice, just aren't as nice as rock solid reliability.

On the plus side. . . . aw crap I need a transmission, there isn't a plus side.

 

[Don65Stang]

Can't go wrong with a top loader and 3:50 gears makes a nice setup. That's what I'm installing in the 65...I have everything to do it, just need the engine rebuilt first.

I hope you car has a speedy recovery.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Well I got a response from Keisler's owner to my email.

"Hi Jeff,

 


Can you bring the transmission over tomorrow? We are working, and will fix it while you wait if you come over by 10am.

 


Best Regards,

 


Shafi Keisler, pres/ceo


Keisler Engineering, Inc.


www.keislerauto.com


888-609-0070"

Can't ask for more than that. Thankfully they are three hours away, but it will mean a very early morning and six hours of driving two days next week. I can live with that.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Spoke with Shafi Keisler again today, I am driving the transmission up and dropping it off in the morning then driving three hours back to work. Gonna be a long day tomorrow!

He believes the broken tabs come from using the bolts to draw up the transmission to the bell housing putting them in a bind. He advised that driving it with it broken that way would cause shifting issues and may have led to the problem. Regardless he is going to fix it for me. Always heard they had great customer service, now I am a believer.

 

[Tnfastbk]

Spoke with Shafi Keisler again today, I am driving the transmission up and dropping it off in the morning then driving three hours back to work. Gonna be a long day tomorrow!

He believes the broken tabs come from using the bolts to draw up the transmission to the bell housing putting them in a bind. He advised that driving it with it broken that way would cause shifting issues and may have led to the problem. Regardless he is going to fix it for me. Always heard they had great customer service, now I am a believer.

thought they were gonna fix it over the weekend while you waited on it?

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

I couldn't get up there by 10:00 am as I am over 2 hours away and my boys both had soccer games and I had family visiting for Mother's day.

I got up and left my house at 3:45am today and dropped it off and am now back in Nashville at work.

 

[Tnfastbk]

I couldn't get up there by 10:00 am as I am over 2 hours away and my boys both had soccer games and I had family visiting for Mother's day.

I got up and left my house at 3:45am today and dropped it off and am now back in Nashville at work.

When are you picking it back up?

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Well, they are going to call me and it is expected to be done later this week. I have 2 hearings on Thursday, and an office meeting on Friday, so if they call today or tomorrow, I'll have it shipped back since it will be faster than I can get up there. I may run up there Sunday night and get it Monday morning if they finish it on Friday or Saturday.

I WANT MY CAR BACK TOGETHER AND HOME!

 

[Don65Stang]

I'm guessing this is a warranty repair? Do you have to install it yourself when it's done?

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Well funny you should mention that. I have installed a few transmissions over the years, but not this one.

Mr. Keisler believes the tabs broke off as a result of using the bolts to draw the transmission and the bellhousing together, leaving it in a bind, which led to the shift fork problem/failure.

Transmission warranty was only 90 days, but due to low mileage and a silver tongued request from yours truly, he has agreed to fix it, even though I know he doesn't have to do so.

Transmission shop is going to reinstall properly this time. We have not discussed price, though if I know Matt he is going to probably waive any charge. If not we'll work it out. I'm going to give his shop some other business as I am convinced this was a fluke.

 

[Don65Stang]

Sounds like their customer service is top notch! Excellent.

 

[droptop73]

Sounds like Keisler is a stand up company. Same for your trans guy.

 

[marks73]

I couldn't get up there by 10:00 am as I am over 2 hours away and my boys both had soccer games and I had family visiting for Mother's day.

I got up and left my house at 3:45am today and dropped it off and am now back in Nashville at work.

When are you picking it back up?

I foresee another member visit by Roy! Way too cool! Or he's out to make the rest of us feel bad? :dodgy:

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

Update

Got off the phone with Keisler. Transmission was completely disassembled. Problem was due to a broken 5th gear shift fork. They tore it all the way down, checked everything and went ahead and upgraded the synchronizers for me and changed my speedometer drive gear to a 7 tooth while they were in there. It is being shipped back and should be at the shop Monday or Tuesday. I spoke with 3 different folks during the process and this group has figured out how important customer service is. Right now I am very happy

 

[Tnfastbk]

Update

Got off the phone with Keisler. Transmission was completely disassembled. Problem was due to a broken 5th gear shift fork. They tore it all the way down, checked everything and went ahead and upgraded the synchronizers for me and changed my speedometer drive gear to a 7 tooth while they were in there. It is being shipped back and should be at the shop Monday or Tuesday. I spoke with 3 different folks during the process and this group has figured out how important customer service is. Right now I am very happy

Thats great but I heard from another source that this is a major change for them. For lack of a better word they were forced into this or go under. Glad it worked out for you.

 

[Jeff73Mach1]

There may be some truth to that. 2 years ago when I ordered it the driveshaft was included in the kit and was custom cut to fit your car after you provided measurements. The 2 week delay on a part I could have made local drove me crazy. Still, whatever the reason, their service this time has been exemplary.