Help needed with 655 Indestro / 672 Duro Chrome ratchet lever

[four.cycle]

Gentlemen:
I recently acquired a model 655 Indestro 1/2" square female drive ratchet lever (or just "ratchet", if you prefer.)
It is the same model as Duro Chrome 672.
Patent no. 1798481

The teeth are not engaging the pawl properly in both directions. I thought perhaps it might be missing a spring, but after looking at the schematic it doesn't appear that it uses a spring. For that matter it appears there are only two moving parts (Okay, three if you count the head swinging back and forth under load.)
It may be that it's not functioning because I'm just holding it with one hand and turning it with the other - I haven't actually popped a socket onto it and tried it under a load.

Is it possible that it may just be gummed up with 80 years of crud and the pawl isn't swinging freely? I haven't even messed with it yet other than what I've described above.

If anyone can offer any insight I would appreciate it.
Thanks very much.

 

[Larryjones]

I don't think the teeth are supposed to engage in both directions. To change direction you flip the ratchet over. I would give it a good soaking in atf or something to get all the crud out then use a light oil on it.

 

[Username already in use]

I don't think the teeth are supposed to engage in both directions. To change direction you flip the ratchet over.

I believe this is correct. The ratchet is made to be flipped over for reverse operation. At least, that is the case for the one I have. Is yours the same as this one?

 

[kwoswalt99]

It's a push thru drive for a reason...

 

[four.cycle]

Username - yes, exactly the same model.
I'm thinking just cleaning and oiling might do it. I have another one on the way so I can compare them to see if there's actually something "wrong" with this one, but considering the simplicity of the mechanism I can't imagine what could go wrong with it.

 

[kwoswalt99]

Username - yes, exactly the same model.
I'm thinking just cleaning and oiling might do it.

Might do what? There's nothing wrong with it.

 

[four.cycle]

I guess I wasn't clear in my original post. I understand that a non-reversible model requires the user to flip it over in order to reverse direction - I have several later versions that are like that.
I'll wait until I get the other one and go from there.
I'm thinking the pawl is just gummed up inside and isn't moving freely.

 

[kwoswalt99]

Just work the head back and forth until it frees up.