360 manual 1st gear engagment and shifting not as easy as it should be | FerrariChat
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360 manual 1st gear engagment and shifting not as easy as it should be

Discussion in 'Technical Q&A' started by 67bmer, Sep 29, 2024.

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  1. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
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    Oct 28, 2015
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    #1 67bmer, Sep 29, 2024
    When warm I typically put it in neutral and leave my foot off the clutch sitting at a light.

    Occasionally I would really struggle to get it into 1st and sometimes just settled for 2nd to get going. In and out with the clutch a couple attempts, just didn't want to engage. I also occasionally grind going into 3rd from 2nd.

    The first thing I did was replace my shifter bushing last winter. My bushing was cracked, but things didn't improve much.

    Are the 1st and 3rd gear issues related? One might think a 3rd gear grind would be synchro. Standing still going isn't also synchro related is it? I NEVER shift into 1st from 2nd. Go to neutral and come to a stop.
     
  2. BAturb

    BAturb Formula Junior

    Nov 14, 2007
    550
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    Allan
    #2 BAturb, Sep 29, 2024
    Clutch worn possibly?
     
  3. Ferrari Tech

    Ferrari Tech Formula 3

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    Wade Williams
    #3 Ferrari Tech, Sep 30, 2024
    How does it shift when the engine is not running? That can tell you a lot. If it shifts without issue, then it can be a synchro issue. If it is still hard to select a gear when not running, that can be an adjustment issue.
     
    EastMemphis and Qavion like this.
  4. windsock

    windsock Formula 3
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    Nov 29, 2006
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    #4 windsock, Sep 30, 2024
    Two things come to mind not shifter or gearbox related. I have seen collapsed pressure plates or poorly operating clutch hydraulics cause the clutch to drag slightly which will cause both concerns.
     
  5. rustybits

    rustybits F1 Rookie
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    Eddie B
    #5 rustybits, Oct 1, 2024
    As above, could also be a pressure plate issue. This normally displays as difficult to shift at high rpm too
     
  6. 67bmer

    67bmer F1 Rookie
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    #6 67bmer, Oct 1, 2024
  7. wmuno

    wmuno Formula Junior
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    Dec 24, 2007
    522
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    Bill Muno
    #7 wmuno, Oct 2, 2024
    I have a vintage V-12 with a 5-speed manual transaxle. There is no synchro on 1st gear. When stopped, it the gear won’t engage, I have to let out the clutch so the gears rotate in neutral and try again. Thus, I believe your 1st gear concern is normal for a manual transmission.

    The 3rd gear problem could be an alignment problem with the gear shift linkage. Since you recently had some work done on the clutch, there might be a slight misalignment. Very small changes in the shift linkage can cause the problem you are experiencing.
     
  8. RayJohns

    RayJohns F1 Veteran
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    #8 RayJohns, Oct 2, 2024
    When you're at a stop (motor on / clutch in) see if you can shift down into 2nd, then up into 1st and if that works any better.

    Ray
     
  9. EastMemphis

    EastMemphis Formula 3
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    John
    #9 EastMemphis, Oct 3, 2024
    Another thing to check is if there's oil in your coolant tank. The heat exchanger for the transaxle is prone to failing and when it does, coolant gets in the transaxle and transaxle oil gets in the coolant. The reservoir for the coolant will typically show an oil sheen or globs of oil. Check it today.

    The issue is that the coolant in the transaxle corrodes the brass synchros and that makes shifting difficult. If your transaxle is this far gone, a rebuild or replacement will be required.
     
    RayJohns likes this.

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