Won't shift into first.

[Bryan]

Went out to check out a new car (which I bought ), and it became increasingly harder to shift into first until it came to a point I was unable to unless forcing it (which I didn't!). But seeing as how I got another means of getting around I am now just going to park the SHO (which is my project) and pull out the motor and trans to do a proper rebuild.

My question is, is there any good write ups or helpful information (pics would be very helpful!) to do this? I am pretty mechanically inclined and I have some friends willing to help me, but a good start would be welcome.

 

[AREA 91]

Went out to check out a new car (which I bought ), and it became increasingly harder to shift into first until it came to a point I was unable to unless forcing it (which I didn't!). But seeing as how I got another means of getting around I am now just going to park the SHO (which is my project) and pull out the motor and trans to do a proper rebuild.

My question is, is there any good write ups or helpful information (pics would be very helpful!) to do this? I am pretty mechanically inclined and I have some friends willing to help me, but a good start would be welcome.

Does it shift into the other gears ok?
Does it shift any different with the engine off?

Buy the video from Josh! It has everything you need, and more.

 

[zak]

SOunds like the pressure plate fingers may be on their last legs.

 

[Bryan]

Does it shift into the other gears ok?
Does it shift any different with the engine off?

Buy the video from Josh! It has everything you need, and more.

All the other gears are fine. No problems. And it's no different with the engine off either. It's very hard to get it into first. I don't want to force it so I got her home and parked it.

And what video are you talking about?

 

[tery]

My question would be , does the clutch cable start pulling from the very top of the clutch stroke length, or is it loose at the top before it starts pulling the cable? I ask because mine was out of adjustment such that I had about an two or three inches of play at the top of the clutch stroke, when I adjusted it to start catching at the very top, I didn't have anymore problems getting it into first gear

 

[Bryan]

My question would be , does the clutch cable start pulling from the very top of the clutch stroke length, or is it loose at the top before it starts pulling the cable? I ask because mine was out of adjustment such that I had about an two or three inches of play at the top of the clutch stroke, when I adjusted it to start catching at the very top, I didn't have anymore problems getting it into first gear

Well I would say about mid way you can start to feel the tension of the cable pulling. Then it just stops and doesn't want to shift into first. Repeated shifting from 2nd and then back to first will eventually get it to go into gear. Now once it is in first it will drive fine. No slipping or nothing. It's just getting it into gear that's the problem.

 

[tery]

On my car, I found that the self adjusting gear assembly was the problem. Can you pull on the clutch cable under the hood and feel any looseness? I may be wrong, but I believe there should not be any. I found mine to be loose and I was just about to put some washers on it or something top take up the looseness and then I learned about the auto self adjuster that is part of the clutch assembly up under the dash connected to the clutch pedal. Search the threads here for self adjuster, or clutch adjustment and you will find some good info that may help..If you've got looseness in the cable under the hood where it connects to the fork, I'd say that may be your problem. So, in other words, my clutch pedal didn't start moving the clutch til it took up the slack in the cable and so by that time, there wasn't any room left at the bottom of the stroke to finish pulling the clutch fork and allowing gears to shift into each other??
T

 

[sperold]

I vote with Zak in post #3.
The Throw out Bearing (TOB) constantly rides on the diaphragm clutch fingers, and for various reasons, ends up wearing the tips to the point they break off. The clutch never slips during this event and works OK in the beginning, but eventually enough wear occurs that your clutch disc never properly releases from the flywheel face and pressure plate surface.

And that is where you are.

Start looking for a deal on a clutch kit (RockAuto, ShoSource) and get the 9 3/4" model.
You have the choice of doing a clutch from underneath as well. That is in the video mentioned above from ShoNut.
If you farm it out, a first class shop with lots of experience may be able to do it for $500.00 labour, (anywhere else will be near $1000.00) and the clutch kit will be a bit over $200.00

You probably do not need to do a "rebuild" on your motor unless something is glaringly wrong. Everything that needs to be done (usually) can be done with the engine in the car.

 

[Bryan]

I vote with Zak in post #3.
The Throw out Bearing (TOB) constantly rides on the diaphragm clutch fingers, and for various reasons, ends up wearing the tips to the point they break off. The clutch never slips during this event and works OK in the beginning, but eventually enough wear occurs that your clutch disc never properly releases from the flywheel face and pressure plate surface.

And that is where you are.

Start looking for a deal on a clutch kit (RockAuto, ShoSource) and get the 9 3/4" model.
You have the choice of doing a clutch from underneath as well. That is in the video mentioned above from ShoNut.
If you farm it out, a first class shop with lots of experience may be able to do it for $500.00 labour, (anywhere else will be near $1000.00) and the clutch kit will be a bit over $200.00

You probably do not need to do a "rebuild" on your motor unless something is glaringly wrong. Everything that needs to be done (usually) can be done with the engine in the car.

I was mention pulling out the motor since the dang thing keeps leaking oil and I felt it was best to take it out to do a proprer rebuild and replacement of all its gaskets and seals.