TRANSMISSION GEARBOX ISSUE

Henry, sounds like you have bad clutch, still moving forward while on 1st gear and clutch pedal press all the way down? It will not synchronize if you have bad clutch or bad adjustment.

 

You COULD have a bad clutch problem, but more likely it's stuck engaged to the flywheel. Did you wash the car, perhaps, or did it sit for a long time? My car's done this more than once.

Get the car out to the road (either by starting it in gear, recognizing that it will start rolling immediately(!), or by pushing it) and start it up in gear with the clutch pressed. Snap the throttle open & closed some as you accelerate. It will break free while you're doing this in first. Just in case it doesn't, have a backup plan for getting the car put away again.

Do you have the inspection cover for the timing marks installed?

 

I concur, this sounds like clutch, not gearbox. I've experienced the sticking phenomena, but I also had a clutch disc break off a chunk of material necessitating a clutch job! Good thing 308 clutches are relatively EZ jobs.

How we love them so.

 

(Ferrari 83 pre Lambda 308 GTS QV)

After sitting for a very long time, we serviced the timing, fuel system, cooling system, brakes, electrical etc.

After maiden voyage around the block, This car is displaying the same condition as the OP described.

Is this method of starting in gear and snapping throttle the only way to "unstick" the clutch? I am hoping for a gentle approach so to avoid damage to a gear.

Read this thread also,
https://www.ferrarichat.com/forum/threads/328-clutch-issues.103182/page-2#post-135751169

Can it be released by applying pressure to the edge of plate through an inspection port?

Anyone have experience in this scenario please?

 

I solved the issue.

To help my fellow enthusiasts, here is a step by step,

Turn ignition off!

Press clutch pedal to floor (either have someone hold it there or use a rod & towel wedged against the seat).

Through the slot at bottom of bell housing using a long thin flathead screwdriver (may need to grind it thinner), slowly & gently (very little pressure), pry the edge of the clutch disc away from the flywheel surface.

Rotate the flywheel tooth by tooth to opposite side using flathead.Pry opposite edge of disc away from flywheel again.

Remove bar, drive car.

 

I've encountered this on old farm tractors, which are often stored in damp locations. It's a pain to deal with. There is an amazing amount of "stick" when the clutch rusts/bonds to the flywheel, and it can withstand a lot of torque before breaking loose. You'd think it was welded together or bonded with a high-tech aerospace adhesive.

Some tractors have a clutch lock so you can keep the clutch disengaged during storage, or just use a block of wood somewhere strategic in the pedal or linkage. Never thought to worry about this with a car, but I bet it happens a lot to cars that sit in storage for a long time in a damp location.

 

Yet another reason to drive these cars often.