400/400i 5-Speed Reverse Selection 'Issue'

hey guys,

i'm looking for some experienced based feed back on the behavior on the manual cars when selecting reverse.

i've noticed that cars we've had here all tend to be 'difficult' when selecting reverse...by that i mean that you need to be very, very deliberate
with your motion in selecting reverse. failure to to do so results in the car popping out of reverse...but only when you fail to fully 'find' reverse.

there is a very suttle difference, but one that you quickly become aware of...you either 'feel' it or you don't...when you don't it will pop out.

anyone else experience this ? i'm curious to know before we drop this tranny...is this another inherent quirk is these already quirky tranny's ?

thanks

 

Can't say that I have experienced the "popping out" issue, but it is true that you need to be firm and deliberate in selecting reverse. Also, I usually fake a move into second before going to reverse to make sure the gears have stopped turning/synchronized (?). That is a habit carried over from my Turner with a Sprite close ratio gearbox but it seems to prevent an inadvertant graunch if I'm moving the shift lever too quickly.

 

I could not find first to back the car I just paid for out of the PO drive way, yes it is just as you descirbed for my 1981 400I with a 5-speed, Fritz

 

This is not very helpful, but I never have any trouble selecting reverse in my car. It is an automatic.

Aidan

 

Brett;

You are pushing the shifter down 'firmly' before throwing into reverse, right?? No quirks about it!

Bruce

 

Ocasionally pops out of fifth when ime doing around 145mph which is a tad unnerving. Otherwise as previously mentioned no problems selecting reverse just push down firmly and all good. 400gt manual

 

So far I have no problems selecting reverse in my car. It doesn't pop out of gear.

My technique is to put it in neutral, release the clutch and then push in the clutch again and select reverse.

Jan

 

Brettski, do not pull the trans, these cars, older Ferrari, do not shift (or many other things for that matter) like a new 'Toyota' which I am sure you already know and they will never go into gear like some people want.
By your desription I would bet "dollars to donuts" that if you do and take it apart you will find nothing wrong.

 

thanks for all the responses guys...

as i say, you quickly become aware that you've either nailed it into reverse or not...

but it takes a little 'practice' to perfect the motion that gives you the desired result... and once you have, it's a complete non issue.

as for the forward gears, it is the nicest shifting 5-speed in this series that i've driven.

 

Brett,

How heavy is the clutch?

Regards,

Art S.

 

hey Art,

i know your experience with Jan's car (formely at Forza) gave you impression that they have heavy clutches...
but my experience has been the just the opposite...and David' car has reinforced that for me...it is light...

however, we have just received another '81 5-speed and it's clutch is a little heavier...but not what i would call 'heavy'.

i hope all is well.

ETA on your car ?

 

Brett,

Interesting about the clutch.

RE my car: Engine is done but out of car. I'm haveing a 'while you are in there' moment. I may be able to share more later.

Regards,

Art S.

PS. The tranny popping out of gear bothers me. Is it still an issue or has it resolved itself?

 

well i can't say that it resolved itself but i guess it was never really an issue in the the first place...

i just wasn't finding reverse that easily...now that i've ' got it ', i've ' got it '...no more trouble.

it's just a quirk of these tranny's and Ashman's and Jan's advice has certainly helped.

thanks to all of you...Fritz, Bruce, Alastair and Art.