'81 308 GTSi, No 1st gear

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!

 

Sounds like you need another opinion.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Hopefully it's just an adjustment.

Check out this thread:
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/328-gts-1st-gear-wont-always-engage.707374/

 

There are always bits of metal, it is a gearbox.
Crack the turnbuckle nut and rotate clockwise one quarter turn then check action

 

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.

 

Can you engage reverse?

 

Nope. Not in Raleigh. The last good one died a few years ago.

 

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Here is the 1st gear synchro. Is this what a chewed up synchro looks like?

 

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.

 

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?

 

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

 

are you able to down shift in first from second while moving?

 

my 86 had the same issue however i lost first but if I went into 2nd and back into first it worked or Reverse and back into 1st it works and this was only sporadically..

We put the car up, put the shifter gate in 2nd to hold it in place with my friend making sure nothing moved inside the car I, loosen both 19mm jam nuts on the shift shaft and literally made a 1/4 turn shorter, locked the jam nuts and it is perfect now. I am glad I did not have to drain and drop the sump i hate gear oil! I do not think you need synchros unless you did something very wrong to cause it to break