Jarod964

Hi all.

I made the rookie mistake of lending my 1980 SC to a friend for a few days (a non air cooled owner). Beforehand, shifting was always a precise experience that required focus, but it got the job done. The odd stiff shift here and there, sometimes the odd minor grind into reverse (but nothing a 2nd try at the gear didn't fix).

Got the car back yesterday and it REALLY doesn't want 1st or reverse. Like almost impossible to get into 1st or reverse. Serious grinding. Easier to shut engine off, put into gear, restart, then go. 2nd gear is very stiff as well (not grindy, but very stiff). The car had all new shifter bushings installed recently with little improvement on prev issues.

Am I biting the bullet and dropping it off for a rebuild? Thanks for any insight.

Speedster911

I would try adjusting the shift coupler and perhaps replace the bushing before jumping to the conclusion that you need a rebuild.

Do you loan your wife/girlfriend or toothbrush to a friend- if not, don't lone your car

Antomero

Sounds like a rebuilt is in order. There should be no grinding in first. Reverse requires you wait a minute before you engage. It doesn’t have synchros. Good luck

Uwon

If it still shifts Into all gears with the engine off, I would first look at your clutch cable adjustment under the car. Proper clearance on clutch arm? Helper spring unhooked/broken/missing? Any signs of your friend having scraped the bottom? How old is the clutch cable? It may have stretched. A 1mm mis-adjustment usually result in your issue.
good luck.

josephvman

I don’t think these gearboxes are so fragile that a few days of driving would do that unless it was deliberate abuse. Sounds more like a clutch engagement issue to me.

if the box shifted as you described before you loaned the car out, it probably wasn’t long for a rebuild anyway.

GTgears

Do the bushings and coupler before you panic. If they were old and dry, some hard shifts from a novice could most definitely “loosen” them up a bit.

If that doesn’t help, drain the oil and take the little 4 bolt plate off the bottom. That holds the guide fork that directs the master shift rod in selecting the other rods. The bolts on the fork sometimes walk and need to be retighrened with some threadlock. The forks also sometime break a tine. Again, no cause for a full rebuild. Don’t lose hope until you’ve gone through all the other stuff first.

Vane

When synchros on my 915 was bad, I selected first second gear and then first and could use the car.
But check the things here has been mentioned, but this way you probably can use your 911.
If the gears has been "forced" the coupler might have slipped and need to be readjusted.

There is very good instructions how to adjust the linkage, it's quite precise. Check this:
https://www.pelicanparts.com/techart...provements.htm

Jarod964

Thanks for all the input guys. Took to the dealership and they seem to think it might be the clutch. Maybe broken spring. All bushings/coupler have been replaced recently so I dont think that would be the issue, but they are going to look into it early next week before ordering the clutch.

theiceman

you took it to the dealership ???

$$$$$$$

Jarod964

From my experience, you get what you pay for...and they properly stand behind their work if things go south. Also has always helped me on resale to have dealer records.

Bford100

1986 915 rebuilt, shifts like


a dream (when nice and warm..)