shift shaft

Sorry for the delay in responding to this question. I wanted to get the parts book out to be sure of an accurate reply.

The shift rod that enters the engine/transmission has an o-ring that seals engine oil from leaking. If I recall correctly, the shift rod enters the engine oil sump and is sealed on with an o-ring. It then traverses the oil sump to reach the transmission. In addition, there is a second o-ring as it leaves the engine oil sump and enters the transmission.

Hence, to correct this leak, one would have to remove the shift rod as it sits in the engine and refresh the o-rings, which sit in a groove on the sliding rod. The obious approach would be to do this with the engine out of the car and separated from the transmission.

However, it may be possible to remove the lower transmission plate, and disconnect the shift rod from the fork control mechanism. This would allow the shift rod to be slid forward and out of the transmission and engine sump. The only problem is that I do not know if there is sufficient clearance to the firewall to allow the rod to find its way out of the engine/transmission.

It may not be necessary to fully remove the rod. If I am correct, then a new o-ring could be slipped over the free-end of the rod when it is slid forward to expose the o-ring.

Has anyone else experience with this issue?

Jim S.

 

Depending on the year there might be one or 2 o-rings - (early cars had 1). Also there is a tube that traverses teh engine sump to prevent the 2 oils from combining in the event of an oring failure... 308's / 328's did not have this "feature" as I recall.

Pietro

 

Pietro - I believe that you are correct. It is difficult to tell from the parts diagram, but my memory of having things apart is that there was a tube traversing the oil sump to house the shift rod.

Possum - I will inquire with a friend on Monday concerning whether the o-ring can be changed without removing the engine. My fear is that it cannot, but perhaps there is a trick.

Jim S.

 

Jim -

I think the o-ring can be replaced w/o removing the engine - The shift shaft needs to be disconnected. Access is through the gbox pan (which can be removed - needs a new gasket of course). The shift shaft should then pull out from the front (where the leak is).

Pietro

 

You almost certainly had the shifter adjustment mechanism come lose. This is all external and is easily fixed. In the 308 section there are tons of how to threads with images that walk you through the procedure. The 308 and 246 are the same in this respect so the information is transferable.

 

The adjustment is done EXTERNALLY from the gearbox not by indexing the internals. Right where the shift shaft enters the gearbox (likely covered by a long rubber boot) is the adjustment mechanism. If you have the sump off it will be much easier to see what you are doing but again I urge you to look at the 308 section as there are dozens of threads on this subject.

 

Tim Tam's..Mmmmmmmmmm

cant get them here in the Frozen North..sigh

 

If the car is apart in its entirety, would it be logical to go through this exercise with the shifter and transmission out of the car, and carry out any necessary adjustments, as much simpler in this manner (I think), and with the transmission upside down while being able to observe all components shifting through the gears, in a much more comfortable position?

As '100% of mechanicals' in my car came disassembled, I think it makes sense, but I would love to hear from the experts.

Regards, Alberto

 

Thank you Johnno, tried the search feature, but cannot find it, completely useless (me). Can you post the link? Thank you!

Regards, Alberto

PS only one I could find was this one: http://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/showthread.php?t=226569

 

Yes that's the thread. Gear settings stars bottom page 3. Kevin

 

Thank you Kevin, great post, and extremely clear procedures!
The whole installation process will be very useful, back and forth.
I am not even close, but next year, it gets done.

Regards, Alberto