'81 308 GTSi, No 1st gear | FerrariChat
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'81 308 GTSi, No 1st gear

Discussion in '308/328' started by raines, Jul 11, 2025.

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  1. raines

    raines Karting

    May 7, 2004
    153
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Randy
    #1 raines, Jul 11, 2025
    My mechanic said there were bits of metal in the gearbox pan, and now diagnosed that it will not go into 1st gear. We are in Raleigh, NC and no one (not even Carolina Exotic) knows how to replace the 1st gear synchro. Someone mentioned it needs a hydraulic press to replace. Even called a full service shop, Foreign Cars Italia in Greensboro and get crickets. Running out of options.

    First of all, is it all right to start in 2nd? I imagine this is not a good alternative, eventually wearing out the clutch even by "babying" it.

    I did find this post:
    1. Shift linkage rod is out of alignment with the gearbox.
    2. Set screws on the shift forks are loose (inside the gearbox).
    3. Silentbloc shift bushing is worn and needs replacement.
    4. Bushings in the Reaction Rod (which stabilizes the engine under torque and prevents it from moving within the engine bay during acceleration) have worn out, allowing the engine and shift linkage to mis-align over time.
    I'm assuming they (mechanics at Carolina Exotic) checked all this.

    Any videos or step-by-steps to replace synchro? Thx!
     
  2. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 26, 2001
    14,448
    Canada
    Full Name:
    Newman
    #2 Newman, Jul 11, 2025
    Sounds like you need another opinion.
     
    4re308, Rifledriver, mike996 and 1 other person like this.
  3. raines

    raines Karting

    May 7, 2004
    153
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Randy
    #3 raines, Jul 11, 2025
    I'll take any opinion I can get right now. I'm out $XXXX for someone to tell me I need to replace my 1st gear synchro. Not that I'm complaining about the kit that's needed to put the pan back on, and the time to look at the gearbox. I was expecting a resolution, but they closed her up and said good luck.
     
  4. Rifledriver

    Rifledriver Three Time F1 World Champ

    Apr 29, 2004
    37,090
    Cowboy Capitol of the World
    Full Name:
    Brian Crall
    #4 Rifledriver, Jul 12, 2025
    Syncros do not work fine one day and not work at all the next. Its a very long gradual process. I agree with Paul.
    For one thing its beyond my imagination how any mechanic or entire shop for that matter can be so clueless about a transmission. Its not alien technology.
    Be grateful you have discovered how completely devoid of mechanical skill and knowledge your mechanic is.
    Take it somewhere else, a Ferrari shop. I trust there is a real one in Raleigh somewhere.
     
    4re308 likes this.
  5. rwbolt1

    rwbolt1 Karting

    Sep 10, 2006
    214
    Boerne, TX
    Full Name:
    Rodney Bolt
    #5 rwbolt1, Jul 12, 2025
  6. Sergio Tavares

    Sergio Tavares Formula 3

    Nov 15, 2018
    1,308
    Full Name:
    Sergio Tavares
    #6 Sergio Tavares, Jul 12, 2025
    There are always bits of metal, it is a gearbox.
    Crack the turnbuckle nut and rotate clockwise one quarter turn then check action


     
  7. Imatk

    Imatk Formula Junior

    May 6, 2007
    768
    #7 Imatk, Jul 12, 2025
    I'm fairly certain if you do have to replace the synchro you'll have to pull the motor... mine had to be pulled to replace them for 2nd, 4th, and I also believe 3rd was boned.

    I hope you service the gear oil regularly. The reason mine was basically broken was the previous owner just never did.
     
  8. ragtop1

    ragtop1 F1 Veteran
    Silver Subscribed

    Nov 11, 2006
    5,241
    Ontario
    Full Name:
    Larry Warren
    #8 ragtop1, Jul 14, 2025
    Can you engage reverse?
     
  9. raines

    raines Karting

    May 7, 2004
    153
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Randy
    #9 raines, Jul 14, 2025
    Nope. Not in Raleigh. The last good one died a few years ago.
     
  10. raines

    raines Karting

    May 7, 2004
    153
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Randy
    #10 raines, Jul 14, 2025
  11. Newman

    Newman F1 World Champ
    Consultant Owner Professional Ferrari Technician

    Dec 26, 2001
    14,448
    Canada
    Full Name:
    Newman
    #11 Newman, Jul 15, 2025
    Thats reverse (unsyncronized). The reverse idler gear is the small one you see below it. The gear to the right is 1st which we can't see correctly because of the angle.
     
    moysiuan likes this.
  12. raines

    raines Karting

    May 7, 2004
    153
    Raleigh, NC
    Full Name:
    Randy
    #12 raines, Jul 16, 2025
    In any event, most feel that I don’t need to replace my synchros. Just align properly. Just wondering why they misalign every few years?
     
  13. jpl

    jpl Formula Junior

    Dec 4, 2003
    368
    Yulee Florida
    Full Name:
    JP Lavigne
    #13 jpl, Jul 16, 2025
    They don’t usually misalign every few years. Give them a call at Automotive International in Charlotte https://automotive-international.com/ferrari-and-exotics/ , ask for Peter, feel free to use my name. When I lived in RTP that is where I took my 78 308 for any work. If you can’t drive it, they will come and pick it up. They are great and know there way around the older cars. Even now that I am in northern Florida I will be using them for some upcoming work.
    JP
     

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