Let me explain how the gearbox works and maybe you can get an idea of what is wrong.
First you will need a copy of the parts list. I recommend using the one from the Department of the Army for the South Bend lathe document number "TM 9-3416-235-14&P".
Note: this document says 9 inch lathe but it is for both the 9 inch and 10K.
I believe this document is available from "http://www.wswells.com/index.html", if not you can use one of the other documents posted there, specifically document page 903E.
Find the parts list for the gearbox. At the top you will see the input shaft, there are four gears on this shaft set up as compound gears, one of which is keyed to the shaft. That is 1 large gear connected to 1 small gear. These gears are connected using small pins on opposite sides of the gear. If these pins are missing or broken it could cause your problem.
The opposite gears have a similar setup but are not keyed to the shaft.
One gear by itself and to compound gears, connected using the same method
Note: if you remove these gears make sure you get them back in the same order, any deviation could cause serious problems.
The tumbler gears ride against these gears and transmit the power through a second gear which is connected using a double key made into the gear. These keys can be sheared off of the gear. This would also cause your problem.
The next set of gears are all keyed to the shaft and are arranged from smallest to largest. These gears also have a pin that runs through most of the gears, this just adds additional stress relief and helps to apply an even force throughout all of the gears regardless of gear setting. It is doubtful that these gears would be sheared unless the spin is not there, But it is worth looking at.
The last gear is on the output shaft this year can be turned backwards. This gear has a predominant shoulder on one side the shoulders should be against the nut. If this gear is turned backwards it could cause your problem. But you would probably see small pieces of gears come tumbling out of your gearbox.
I hope this helps.
promacjoe
PS. I looked on the
www.wswells.com website and found the Army document listed under data and information/1980 Army Maintenance and Repair Parts, Model CL670Z. This document has a lot more than just the basic parts list.
Hope this helps.