Ferrari 308 Gearbox videos - 1st/2nd alignment?

I have to start out by saying I am no expert on the matter. I did notice the selector seemed to slip by and then centered as you moved to 2/3. Did you use this method?

The factory method for adjustment is to get the aft part of the shift shaft, the piece in the transmission so it has selected second gear (middle selector “back&#8221. Then, you get the gear shift also in the gate in second gear. With everything all tightened up in this position you are done.

The above oversimplifies the whole process. The remaining critical aspects are proper centering of the shift knob while in 2nd and the selector over the middle fork in the gearbox. And, probably most of all, watching out for everything to shift ever so slightly when you go to tighten it down .

It might help to provide more details about what you mean by "challenges". For example, are you going for it and get "nothing"?

Seamus

 

Tom,

This is a fairly simple problem to rectify...although it may not seem so, at first. I've been down this road with 308s, Dino's and of late, with my BB. Before you drive yourself crazy with adjustments, you must verify that the rubber/metal isolator bushing at the gearbox and the other one (frequently overlooked) at the shifter housing are in good condition. If these isolation bushings have deteriorated, all of your other shifter adjustments become mute...as the excessive flex in the bushings negates your adjustments.

Regards,
David

 

Any challenge replacing the bushings other than removing the center console? (I do not have a center console so for me that's a mute issue.)

 

Although the motors mounts could contribute to the problem, I've never found this to be the case (on over 100 cars) that I've worked on through the years...

Leaving the adjustments where they are, a couple of questions:

When the car is stationary, with the engine not running; can you consistently and with ease, engage all gears?

Looking at the shifter, in relationship to the gate slots, are you centered within the 1st gear slot....side to side?
Now, engage 2nd...and verify the same side to side centering and also the distance from the shifter to the end of the slot. This distance should be the same as when you engage third.

Once I have the forward/back distance identical (on the same shifter shaft 2/3 or 4/5), lock down your adjustments. Then, engage 2nd gear....and loosen the forward most lock nut of the shift shaft. The is the nut fartthest from the transaxle, which allows only axial movement. Then go into the car and precisely center the shifter in the appropiate gate slot. While having a helper hold the shifter in position, now tighten the axial nut you loosened previously. (Whilst being careful not to disturb/turn the coupler at the gearbox)

Hope this helps a bit more...

David

 

The bushing at the transaxle can be done with a bolt/washer collar type press on the car. Or, if you have the transaxle apart to repalace the shifter shaft seal, just use a press. The bushing in the car is part of the shaft which goes into the shifter assembly. Remove the 4 bolts...a couple of wire connectors, and disassemble the shifter. Total time, no more than an hour, if there's no interior console to deal with.

Regards,
David

 

If we are talking about the same bushings, Verell of Unobtanium supply has started machining new "poly", (i believe) shifter busings, as well as a special tool to do the install. I have ordered and received a nice set of bushings and the prototype instalation tool, which i will use to instal the new bushings as soon as i can find a bit of maintenance time. Photos and report to follow.

hth,
chris

 

Tom,
If this is the case:
Engine stopped: No problem shifting 1<->2<->3.

Engine Running: Intermittent difficulty going into 1st, must be very precise going into 2nd.

From the videos it does appear that you've got the alignment spot on. However, requiring precision going into 2nd still sounds like a small amount of shift miss-alignment.

The following come to mind as possibilities for your 1st gear problem:
a)the ends of the teeth on both the sliding gear, and on the gear being selected must still have distinct points. ie: if the teeth are worn(ie: (flattened or rounded off) instead of sharp, you can have this kind of a problem going into that gear).

b)If the clutch is dragging slightly, you can also have this kind of a 1st gear problem. Test: With the engine running, shift into reverse, then quickly shift into 1st. If it consistently goes into 1st, then most likely the clutch needs adjustment.

c)A small amount of shift miss-alignment can't be ruled out, esp. with the 2nd gear problem with the motor running.

I concur with David about motor mounts being a possible but unlikely cause.

pad,
See this thread for the new delrin shift bushings chrismorse mentioned:
http://ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=173230

I've just run off some of the tools for pressing the old bushing out/installing the new bushing, will be announcing them shortly.

 

Hi Verell,

would you have any of these available, bushing included ?