cant get a forward gear... only reverse
 

Just picked up am 83 sc with a bad tranny and all forward gears will only partialy engage and will push the shifter into nuetral upon release of the clutch...
reverse works fine ... former PO says it got increasingly harder to shift into all forwrd gears and then couldnt get 1 through 5 at all
.. Any one got any ideas? If so thanks in advance of any tech help...

Could it be the shift guide fork is loose?

to check, you need to drain the tranny and then remove this plate from the bottom of your tranny.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1082426867.jpg

There is a fork mounted on the other side which acts as the pivot point for your shifter. If it's loose, it would certainly cause problems in shifting. According to what I've read here, the forks DO come loose quite often.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1082509927.jpg

That's only my $.02. The experts around here would be a better source of advice.

Randy

Tony,

Randy is correct. That is the first place to start.

Have someone with experience try it. Attempt to put it in gear from the tunnel access plate. Attempt with the shift pivot plate removed (Randy’s image above) from the transmission. I’m sure JW will have some good ideas.

It is also possibly has been driven with the clutch not completely disengaging and has damaged all the engagement dogs in the transmission. Tinker with the linkage first (easy and inexpensive), next pull the transmission and inspect the internals, finally be prepared to replace some significant parts or find another (good) transmission.

When apart, carefully inspect the clutch and all the clutch linkage.

Sounds like a fun project – hopefully a good deal.

Best,
Grady

I do not have a real answer to your question, but rather the experience of while doing regular maintanence, I found my shift fork very loose, but even so the shifting was fine. :confused:

Dan

IMO, the "first and easiest" items to check are the shift coupler and bushings under the cover plate on the tunnel hump behind the front seats. Jim

I'm no late car pro, but logically that seems to me to be the best place to start.

When I brought my first PORSCHE ( a 74 non sunroof coupe) the owner said that the clutch may have to be replace soon because he couldn't get it to shift cleanly into gears without a grinding noise.

I was able to knock of $1500.00 from the asking price because of that. I open up the shifter and found that the cup under neath was comepletely gone. Replace the shifter cup and it was smooth shifting until the day I sold the car.

WOW Thanks for all the input everyone ... although I left out that info in the first post I did infact pull the shifter and the shift coupler tunnel cover to find everthing in order except for some gear oil in the rubber boot that goes around the coupler...Im sure I should have mentioned this...( amazing what a power nap will do for you thought process) otherwise I think rcecale thats what I was looking for the next possible step that might be a simple fix before pulling the motor and trans and replacing or rebuilding this one..
I really appreciate all the help ... I continue to be amazed by all the peeps willing to spend their time helping someone out on this board
..... I get pictures of the actual parts to check!!!!!

Yea Its an 83 sc I just couldnt pass it up... it was close by which is Big plus since I am in a veritble dessert as far a porsche country goes...
the price 6k with a set off bbs and the original fucsh ...