Recently I'm experiencing grinding gears when engaging reverse. It seems to make no difference how long I hold the clutch disengaged. There is possibly slightly increased resistance from the synchro when engaging first, but not much. The transmission seems to shift normally and smoothly when accelerating through the gears. Adjusting the free-play did not help. 1972 145, 25k miles since M-41 conversion with new clutch and overhauled transmission, and new cable.

Any suggestions?

I had the same problem. The really simple fix suggested by Matt worked for me. The gears must be moving slowly when transmission is cold and putting it in 2nd stops the movement. Then to reverse.

When you did the concersion, did you put a new pilot bearing in? It may be starting to freeze up.

Another thing that can happen is that the clutch fork/arm cracks and weakens near the pivot point such that when you push on the pedal you don't get full disengagement.

I did replace the pilot bearing. I'll try to get a look at the release arm.

I don't think you'll be able to get a look in there... of course, try, but if your car shifts normally in all other gears, and you can put it in forward gears when stopped with the engine running... I doubt that's your problem.
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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Assuming the clutch is good and in proper adjustment, I'd wager to guess its gotta be in the transmission. That said, I just sort of assume that they all do that.

Get in the habit of selecting second before you put it in reverse (leave the clutch depressed). See if that helps anyhow. You'll probably have to start doing that to get 'er in first soon too.


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-Matt I ♥ my ♂

Yeah, both of the 140s I have do that. I consider it normal, and maybe worn out synchros(are there synchros for reverse?). I just put it into reverse real slow... And sometimes the teeth rub and slow down so I can engage, or sometimes I just go crunch. Sometimes it doesn't do it...
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Kyle - '68 142? - Oregon Volvo Tuners?

Definately not normal, and there is no syncro on the reverse gear.

If you can't get it into reverse without grinding after stopped for a couple of seconds, it would seem that you are not getting disengagement of the gearbox via the clutch. The countershaft is still spinning and causing the grinding while engaging reverse. Since reverse is the only gear without a syncronizer, it is the easiest to indicate a clutch not releasing fully. I agree that you may be able to stop the spinning countershaft by shifting into second prior to shifting to reverse, but the bottom line is you are not getting the gearbox to disengage fully.

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'86 745T, '72 144E, '70 145S, '68 220S, '60 544