Crunky

Well, I was on my way to work this afternoon, I thought I heard some funky type of groaning/whirling noise; I don't know if its related to my problem or not.
Anyways, on the way home tonight, I was accelerating from a stop light, and I shifted into 2nd gear, and the car did not accelerate any further, I put it back in neutral and back to 2nd, this time with jerking and a sort of grinding noise, a slow low pitched grind.
I pull into a parking lot, put it in first, and slow and easily start to move, seems smooth, I give it some more throttle and the groaning/jerking/grinding comes back. The car runs great out of gear. It seems to me that the clutch is engaging ok, as I limped the 1/4 mile home. Sound like a blown tranny?
Either way, I'll be back to driving my VW for a while

pjburges

Yeah that sounds like a transmission failure to me. Just to humor yourself look into the clutch peephole and look for anything funny and check your CV joints, but its probably the transmission. Looks like you have an N/A so just locate a good used one for a few hundred bucks and pop it in. Itll take you a weekend tops.

Crunky

Yah, bad part is I wont have any time to check it out untill Wednsday at the earliest. I have to get my other car through emissions(which I have put off for 2months ). I wish I could find a local trans, I found one on ebay, $385 OBO, no mention of miles, claims good working cond.
Also I have a dirt driveway, this is going to be a real fun job

EDIT: I am also looking at turbo trannies. Yah, I know the gearing is different. I have looked at the charts, and the gears are a tad bit taller, except for 5th, IIRC, is actually a little shorter; I don't think it will make a big difference, and I doubt it will bother me. Anyways, my question is, will a turbo trans bolt directly into my early NA? Is anything at all different(besides units equipped with with an oil coller) in the mounting/installation?

pjburges

No it will bolt right in, but seriously consider sticking with the regular 944 gearbox, or getting a 924S gearbox.
Get some cardboard boxes and lay them down under the car. Ive helped someone rebuild the lower end of a tractor engine while lying in a cotton field. It can be done if you are careful! Haha.

Also go to www.car-part.com, and you can search most major junkyards in the US for a tranny and have it freighted right to you.

Crunky

Cool, thanks for the link. Looks like there are a few good deals on there; just out of curiosity, have you ever dealt with anyone listing on this site before?

pjburges

Its a national database of junkyards, its actually how junkyards search to get you a part if they dont have it. Being that there are thousands of yards in the search database I cant say that I have used any particular ones. I have delt with Austin Veedub - they are decent.

Daily944

I just noticed you were looking at turbo trannies.. I hate to say it but it wont work on a 84'. Different speedo pickup and the mounting to the chassis is different. Stick with looking for a early 944 or 924/924s trans.

Lemming

Hmmm - I bolted a turbo tranny into my 924S with no problems.

As for the chasis mounting, it's true that the turbo bolts from above, but the same mounting points on the sides are there and nicely bolt into the two hanger system used on the 924S (and early 944's?).

As for the speedo, doesn't the early 944 go off the front left wheel for speed (just like the 924S?). If so, no problem.

To be honest, if it's a street car, there's really no reason to upgrade to the turbo.

yellowline

I have a 944S transaxle with about 60k miles on it. It's out of the car right now. Has gearing suited to an NA (desirable short 5th as well), and is a little stronger. Let me know.

M758

I receintly sold an 83 944 gearbox to a 944 spec racer friend. It was to be used in a street car. Turned out the clutch had gone out and it did not need a gearbox. So he still has it as a spare.

Gearbox is located in Phoenix. Do you want me to contact him to see if he is looking to sell it?

Pauerman

I've also got a 944S tranny that still in the car. I'm in Mesa.

Crunky

Wow, thanks for the info/ all the offers guys. If I don't hear back from any of the wreckers I emailed, I'll let you all know.

Mike C.

You may want to check into the gearing. M understanding is that the turbo trannies have taller gearing which means it will make your NA 944 seem even slower off the line.

Crunky

Ok, finished getting the new(used) tranny in the car today, went to take it for a spin, and I have the same problem
While trying to take it off the ramps, I put the car in first, start to engage the clutch, the car rolls a little bit forwards, then the grinding starts again!!

75ohm

Clutch?