The article was in Prancing Horse # 127 (2Q98) and specifically described the procedure for a 308. Hi-res image at http://home.earthlink.net/~fchat/images/SecondGearFix.jpg (1.6 MB) LoRes image at http://home.earthlink.net/~fchat/images/SecondGearFixLoRes.jpg (90kb)
Thanks for posting this! I have never worried about it as in "Oh no, my car won't shift to 2nd when cold." But, I have always been curious as to the mechanics of it & why I don't hear about it in other cars. Thanks!
There is a new Country and Western music video out. Its based on a Americal Idol format, with vignettes. One set of scenes has a Parking Valet taking Capt Kirk (Shatners) red 360 off to park. When the Valet brings the 360 back, theres 200 miles on it and no gas. The Valet tells Kirk that the car runs great but 2nd is a bit stiff. Shatner looks at him in shock and says You got it in second? Pretty funny for a C&W video, and for a 360 which usually doesnt have this problem, either does my 348. Otherwise, your all in the same boat.
After using syn fluid and seeing what a huge difference it makes, I can't imagine drilling any holes.
SeaBayR, Saw that video while at a friends home. At the end when he mentioned second gear i was laughing my a$$ off. NO ONE else got the joke -- as i was the only Fcar driver -- and they though i went nuts. Guess it is indeed an "inside joke" of sorts. Enjoy the Drive, Steven R. Rochlin
vwalfa4re, Couldn't agree more. When I changed over to synthetic, I couldn't believe the difference. Been that way for almost two years now. Used to be that I could barely get it into reverse when cold.
THANK YOU ALL VERY MUCH!! While my 2nd gear is generally only problematic in cool/cold weather, knowing that there was a fix out there and not being able to get the specifics has been driving me nuts!
I guess I don't understand that either - And I think above someone mentioned that it happens in a 348 also. I am an accountant, but I still can't do the math on the 308 20 year production run??? What cars are you including there? 308, 328 - Anything else?
The fix works pretty well--when I crank the car up I rock it between 2nd and 3rd a few times and it seems to help too--And I am using thick oil--Mobil 1 75-100
I can ask it another way: Why is it that my 88 328 (50,000 miles) NEVER has problems getting into 2nd gear regardless of temp??
The most likely answer is '50,000 miles'. However, the fix could have been done before you got the car, or the hole was mfg'd slightly oversize. The problem varies dramaticly from car to car depending on the clearance the shift fork rod has in the hole. Wear will tend to increase the clearance, thus higher mileage cars tend to have milder or even no problems with it.
